Australian author of Wish Me Gone discusses how her rural lifestyle shines through in her writing.

How old were you when you first knew you wanted to be an author?

I was 14-years-old when I began writing my first novel and writing poetry. Although I didn’t finish that initial book, stories had always transported me to places in my imagination. Over the years, I continued to explore and develop my love of the written word and sharing stories.

I understand you’re a beekeeper. Can you tell us a little about that?

Getting out in nature, working in the vegetable garden or spending time with the bees always calms and inspires me.

A colony of bees has from 20,000 to 80,000 bees in one hive at
any given time. They are tireless creatures and live for no more than 30 to 60 days. The worker bees – all of which are female – produce no more than a quarter of a teaspoon of honey in the whole of their short lives.

Their combined sound is a soft roar. The fluttering of vibrating wings creating a never ending song. Sitting in a sunny garden, watching as they fly in and out , their flight path is a runway of purpose as they go to forage for food then bring it home for the colony.

One of the many interesting things about them is that bees actually produce five products, where most people think of just one: honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly and pollen (bee-bread), all have special properties, which humans have recognised for thousands of years.

...There is nothing as beautiful as the very last words of a manuscript...

How does your day job influence your writing?

My lifestyle influences my writing. I have for so long lived a life learning the cottage industry. My knowledge of spinning, milking cows and keeping bees have all helped me to write with a true understanding of what I share with my readers.

For example, I just finished a story of fiction set in the ancient world, its framework based on my knowledge of apiculture, which went hand in hand with my research for the story.

What does a usual writing day look like for you?

Depending on where I am with a work in progress I will see how much writing I achieve in a day or a week. If the story is flowing, I will write every day, but if I am having trouble in creating the story it is often because of interruptions which take me away from the moment in trying to feel the scene, the characters and plot.

What is your favourite aspect of writing?

There is nothing as beautiful as the very last words of a manuscript. I know when a story is worthwhile by how much the ending reduces me to tears. A dry-eyed ending would be a good indication that the story is not strong enough to share with any audience, regardless of age. This, for me, is the excellence gauge.

What do you find most difficult?

I often struggle with sitting down and disciplining myself enough to continue around other pressing priorities, especially when I am trying to get a feel for the characters, the setting and the plot. It’s like stopping and starting a movie you are watching, or picking up and putting down a book without giving it enough attention to really get into the meat of it.

Can you describe Wish Me Gone in a single paragraph?

Wish Me Gone is about a family’s tree change that goes horribly wrong. When Isabella’s brother fails to return to the army barracks, her family must face their worst fears. As the hours march irrevocably on, each one learns that sometimes hope is the only weapon you own.

Immigration and racism are strongly featured in Wish Me Gone. What made you decide to explore those themes?

Although racism features strongly in Wish Me Gone, the recurring motif within the story is about intolerance. I explored this within three completely different families, who all have the one thing in common: the need to be loved and accepted.

Do you have any favourite authors or books that have influenced your writing?

My favourite genre is historical fiction, especially if it has mystery thrown in. In regards to young adult fiction, three which stand out for me are To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers, and Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger. None of which are contemporary. All are thoughtful and beautiful.

As a published author of both, what do you find most enjoyable or interesting about writing novels versus short stories?

Short stories are something I have only recently begun to write, none of which have been remotely the same. Rather than being a long timeline of events, they are a single snapshot. Short stories can be satisfying to create. They are fast paced, should be exciting, and the last short story I wrote is called City of Bees. It is set in ancient city in Israel, a quick camel ride through time.

Based on the finds of Dutch archaeologists, inspiration came from the remains of 3000 year old clay beehives found in a city of antiquity called Tel Rehov. They traded honey with Egyptian pharaohs and honey was their greatest commodity.

It was serendipitous that I found this out purely on a hopeful whim. I wanted to share my knowledge of bees in a story of biblical fiction yet little did I know that the oldest bee hives ever found came from biblical times, and that even pieces of an ancient clay pot were inscribed with the name of the prophet Elisha, worker of miracles.

I was so excited to discover that information and I hope to inspire other readers with a love for history, as my words help to bring people from the past to life.

Are you writing anything now? If so, what can you tell us about it?

I’m working on another YA novel set in the Pilliga scrub. It’s about conservation, coal seam gas and the Pilliga yowie. It’s about how four kids fit into their environment, about Australia’s Indigenous past, and the future of the country for kids to come.