One of the things about being a professional writer that brings me the most joy is the opportunity to share my love of the craft and my experience in the publishing business with aspiring authors.

Recently, I led a retreat in the beautiful Bunya Mountains, about 3 hours west of Brisbane, Australia.

Having suffered terrible drought, the area had just received more rain in a week than it had during all of 2019. The mountains were green and silent, with king parrots flashing across the road and wallabies grazing beneath the towering Bunya pines.

I was giving a full day workshop so there was no time for hiking, which was perhaps fortunate in the end as I had no tick repellant (paralysis ticks can be a problem there) and my lovely guide informed me that the Bunya nuts that fall from the trees are big enough to kill a cow.

I am constantly surprised, though by now, I shouldn’t be, at the level of talent and enthusiasm among workshop attendees. The retreat at the Bunya Mountains was no exception. I hope everyone came away from my “Novel in a Day” workshop as inspired and full of enthusiasm as I did.