What inspired the idea behind this book?
A woman I met in a café told me she was digging in her garden and found a buried roll of film. She had it developed and was shocked to find pictures of neighbours in her small town at a swingers party. I loved the idea of a buried roll of film and a shocking revelation. It unleashed a cascade of ideas of my own that ended up in Echo Lake.
What was the research process like for the book?
It couldn’t have been more enjoyable. I did lots of hiking in the forests of the Southern Highlands, went to different cafes, bakeries and pubs, browsed in antique stores and regional museums, and read as many books as I could find about the history of the area.
If I looked at your internet history, what would it reveal about you?
That I’m fascinated by regional history as well as ancestral history. At the moment I’m also looking into the classical music scene and of course more dark secrets of the Southern Highlands for my next book.
Tell us about your background and what led you to writing this book.
Both my parents were readers, and they encouraged my own reading and creative writing. My mum and I shared a love of mysteries, and would recommend books to each other and then discuss them for hours. I wrote Echo Lake partly for her—I think it’s just the kind of book she’s have liked…cosy, but with an edge.
Do you write about people you know? Or yourself?
There are bits of me, especially bits of the person I used to be that found their way into several of my characters. In other cases, I’ve use a trait or even a name of someone I know. But in Echo Lake there is one character who is almost wholly inspired by a close friend. But I won’t say who it is—it might give away whether that person is the murderer or not!
What’s some great advice you’ve received that has helped you as a writer?
Others have said it, but Mario Puzo (The Godfather) said it most clearly: the secret of writing is rewriting.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring writers, what would it be?
Don’t try to imitate someone else’s style. In fact forget about style. Just write with your own voice. Every story under the sun has already been told—what makes a story new is the unique voice telling it.
Who are some of your favourite authors? Or favourite books?
I love the Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries by Elly Griffiths, Ann Cleeves’ Shetland Island series, and of course the wealth of Australian crime fiction by writers including Vikki Petraitis, Chris Hammer and Garry Disher. Jacqueline Bublitz’s Before You Knew My Name was my favourite book of last year. Someday when I have time, I’d like to go back and reread all of the Adam Dalgliesh novels by P.D. James. My idea of heaven.
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