>> "When did you start writing?"

When I was four I started forcing my mother to write down stories for me. By six I could work the tape recorder and either taped my stories or wrote them by hand.

All children create stories, that’s what play is. Not all of them feel a desire to record them in some fashion as I did. I’ve always told stories, but I didn’t start writing them until I could hold a pencil.

>> "What advice do you have for other writers?"

Write. Lots. Every single day and twice on Sundays.

Having hobbies and interests outside writing, along with reading heaps will help you with ideas and reading a lot will teach you about structure and what works in novels. Along with what has been done before and what is fresh and appropriate for today’s market.

However if you don’t write, you aren’t a writer.

>> "Do you have an agent?"

Yes. Her name is Wendy Barnard and you can find her website here:

http://barnardagency.ca/

>> “What do you read?”

I read a lot. My mother read to me everyday when I was young and by the time I was eight I tore through books at an alarming rate. I could read then at the same speed I do now and when we went to the library I might read ten books in a day.

Now I read a few books a month, depending on what I am doing. If I have a specific project in mind I might read a lot of non fiction and ‘self teach’ myself some new hobby. However most of the time I’m reading science fiction, fantasy and horror. Exactly what I write.

>> "Who are your favorite writers?"

There are a lot of writers I love. Some from my youth who still have a place in my heart and plenty who engage my mind in new and exciting ways now.

If I had to pick one all time favorite author I would say Lynn Flewelling because I own all her novels and love each of them to death. However Tansy Rayner Roberts, Robert T Bakker and Victor Kelleher and right beside her.

On the next tier are Jack London, China Mieville, Greg Keyes, Christopher Paolini, Jacqueline Carey, Joan Aiken, Margret Atwood, Stephen King and Margret Weis & Tracy Hickman.

These are just the fiction authors I can see on my bookshelf from my computer chair. There are so many beautiful books in the world.

>> “How do I get published?”

Check my tutorials page! You have to read the tutorials and follow my advice; it’s not a spontaneous thing. Nor do I guarantee success.

>> “Who designed your website?”

I did. The images I made in Photoshop and the html I coded in Dreamweaver. The overall design and colour scheme I came up with while folding socks or something equally inane.

>> “Do you do art commissions?”

No. Sorry.

>> “Will you edit/read my novel?”

Nope. I don’t want to be sued when you decide I stole some brilliant idea off you three years down the track. I delete all stories, novels and poems emailed to me without reading them.

>> “When is your book coming out?”

Sooner rather than later, I hope.

>> “When were you born?”

January, 1985.

>> “Do you nanowrimo?”

I sure do! Anyone in the Melbourne area can expect to see me at the weekly meet ups for all of November!

>> “Will you go out with me?”

No.

What is wrong with you people? I have nothing against internet dating. I have friends who do it and I don’t think any less of them, but THIS ISN’T A DATING SITE. I have never advertised any interest in seeking a partner, which makes this question in no way appropriate.

In response to the inevitable flood of ‘Well if you don’t take a chance you miss out on meeting a lot of great people’: I don’t care. Go away.

For the record, people who read the FAQ, comment on this question, then 'jokingly' ask me out or hit on me? Yeah, you're EQUALLY annoying. It’s not cute. I’m not flattered. You just look like a complete jerk.

>> “How can I contact you?”

Before you contact me there are three things you should know.

1. I don’t reply to people who are rude to me. I just delete their emails.

2. i cna’t r33d em4l3s ritten liek dis

3. I won’t be giving you anything for free. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you want, the answer is no.

That said, I’m not some monster who will brutalize you for darkening my doorstep. My email address is:

traditional_evolution@hotmail.com

and I look forward to hearing from you.