The Curious Case Of Constable W. H. Willshire

History, Loreless, Research

William Willshire was one particularly bad egg. Central Australia in the 1880s was considered the outer frontier. In some ways it still is, and continues to be most people’s image of what epitomises the Australian outback. When William Willshire went to serve as...

The Passing Of Daisy Bates

Books, History, Loreless, Research

During the writing of Loreless I did an enormous amount of research, much more then I could ever actually use in the book. I have decided to share some of this information, and at the same time, give you a bit of an insight into the writing process. In the book there...

Patti Smith Does The Paradiso

Inspiration, Music, Reviews, Writing

First off, it’s not called the Paradisio. It’s the Paradiso. Ok, it’s only one extra syllable, but if you know it, it’s irritating. I’m sure she knew it, or maybe it was just another one of those times when a tourist misinterprets something. She was in a foreign...

Great Uncle Josiah Goes To War

History, Non-fiction, Research, Writing

My great-uncle Josiah was in his sixties when he enlisted. Like many men during the Great War he faked his age in order to be accepted. What made his story different from most was that he lowered it. Most men put their ages up. He said he was forty-four. I don’t know...

The Not So Great War

History, Research, Writing

Over a hundred years ago, my grandfather went off to war. He was young, and possibly, panting at the bit to go. He may have gone earlier if it hadn’t been for age restrictions. It was to be a great adventure. Every able-bodied man wanted to be part of...