Under Brambles is a collection of short stories and poems centered around the raw beauty that exists in the forgotten, the broken, and the misunderstood. Why was this an important collection for you to write?

Many of these stories are quite personal, including the one about my mother, whilst others are a shadow of people I have known. I think that many people have less-than-perfect lives–imperfect love stories and life events that don’t get a neat resolution. I hope that readers can gain some reassurance in a world where everyone carefully curates their lives on social media.

Can you share a bit about your writing process? Do you have any rituals or routines when writing?

If I have an inspiration, be it a word, an idea, or a paragraph, I write it in Samsung Notes on my phone. Most of my books start off as short stories. My children’s book The Dragon Way Home was borne out of the short story “There Be Dragons” in Under Brambles.

Do you have a favorite selection in the book, and if so, why does it hold special meaning for you?

I feel that “Waiting for the Gate” resonates strongly because it captures all the joy, beauty, madness, and struggle that makes up modern China. I loved my decade living there and this is one of my favorite memories.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

I am working on two novels at present–one for children, one for adults. My children’s novel is called Yowie Dreaming and it will be available in March. It has been inspired by the town of Kilcoy which has a Yowie statue. My adult novel is set in a south-east Queensland town and it will be available later in the year.

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