The Australian bush itself is my major influence. It breeds tough people with a dry sense of humour. I spent 40 years on a wheat farm in northern NSW, destroying my health, sanity and bank balance... but the experience got me writing. My most profound literary influences are from the 19th century - Henry Lawson, Banjo Patterson and, most of all, Steele Rudd, creator of Dad and Dave in "on Our Selection".

Bored with going round in circles on a tractor, I experienced a mid-life crisis which saw me studying English Lit, German language, History and Sociology at the University of New England, Armidale, NSW. That led to a satisfying late-life career teaching Communication, English, creative writing, and adult literacy at the Moree Campus of Technical and Further Education (TAFE).

I am now 'retired' and have a popular email-based novel writing course and writer mentoring service at www.novel-writing-course.com I also have a bust manuscript editing business at www.oz-edit-proofreading.com

Vist my website 'Beetle Creek Books'
Here you can read a chapter of 'Beetle Creek', win a free copy, find out more about the book and me!

My Novel Writing Course - and writer mentoring
My novel writing course in 20 modules at $19.70 each has proved an inexpensive way for novice writers to get professional help. My mentoring service is also popular.