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What inspired you to start writing?
I've been writing so long it's hard to remember what inspired me to take up the pen. I do come from a long line of wordsmiths, the most renowned probably being the iconic Australian author/poet Henry Lawson.....so I guess writing was in my genes. However I don't just write fiction I've also tried my hand at poetry and verse as well as songwriting. I now have a collection of over 200 songs recorded (professionally recorded not Ai) some of which can be heard around the world on playlists in airports/shopping centers or wherever background music is required.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
'The Hang-Up' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9T6WR5M is a musical adventure love story set in the heady days of the 1970's American/Australian music scene. The story follows the two main characters, Jordie and Jess, as they navigate the highs and lows of stardom whilst trying to hold on to the love they share for each other. 'The Hang-Up' puts the reader right there amongst it as the songs are written, recorded and performed. All the songs written within the story have been recorded and are available to the reader to hear @ http:djmcmusic.com
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How do you create your characters?
If the truth be known, Jordie is a fictional mock up of me whilst Jess would hold all the characteristics of my beautiful partner in life. I've simply expanded on that and somewhat enhanced those characters.
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What does your typical writing day look like?
My days are never the same. I might be writing for a novel or a collection of poetry or I might be penning the lyrics to another song or working with my fellow musical creators to record a song. There's always something that inspires me to create.
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What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author?
Monetary rewards aside (because they are few and far between for an indie author) the most rewarding aspect of creating something from nothing is the reaction from those who read what I've written. Positive or negative all feedback inspires me to keep on creating.
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What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Like all indie authors the biggest challenge is getting your work noticed.
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Do you have any favorite writing tools or apps?
No...everything I write comes from within.
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What advice would you give to new or aspiring indie authors?
Don't give up.....there are over 8 billion people in this world. What you create, good or bad, if you put it out there it will get noticed by someone (hopefully many someone's)
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How do you handle book promotion as an indie author?
Like most indie author I don't have a lot of money to splash on promotion so usually it's just a case of persevering with promotion through channels such as Facebook, Instagram and TicTok etc.
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What’s next for you? Are you working on a new book?
Yes I am currently working on a follow up to 'The Hang-Up' which revisits that scene some thirty years later through the nephew of Jordie who just like Jordie some thirty years earlier finds himself on a similar trajectory with all the highs and lows that come with that.
