Q&A: Margaret Hickey, Author of An Ill Wind

Briefly tell us about your book

An Ill Wind centres on a rural Victorian community who are adjusting to the sudden influx of wind turbine farms. When the CEO of Clean Energy Australia is found hanging from one of the gigantic blades, local police investigate. It’s a book about community facing change and how this affects relationships and power dynamics, sometimes leading to deadly results. The police couple who investigate the crime, Belinda and Will, were a delight to write!

What inspired the idea behind this book?

My parents live near massive wind farms, and on the drive to see them I always marvel at the size of the turbines, and how they dominate the landscape. There is a real power there, both literal and metaphorical. And that idea really got me interested in the idea. Then, because I’m a crime writer, I imagined a body hanging from one of the blades and how visible that would be across the Golden Plains. How does a community react when a turbine farm is approved, and then built. Who gains, who misses out? These were the questions which preoccupied me in the early days.

Who are some of your favourite authors? Or favourite books?

I always love Margaret Atwood, Helen Garner, Geraldine Brookes and Ian McEwan. Peter Temple’s books were terrific. I have so many favourite books! Early favourites were The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and A Wrinkle In Time. Recently, I’ve loved Caledonian Road, Vanish (Shelley Burr) and The Unquiet Grave by Dervla McTiernan.

What is something that has influenced you as a writer?

I’m always influenced by landscapes and small towns. The High Country, the Limestone Coast, the old gold mining towns and the saltbush and salt lakes of the interior. Landscapes affect and inspire me every day.

What’s your writing routine like, and what are you working on atm?

I have three Year 12 English classes, and I work three days a week – so on those days I am completely focussed on the students, the texts, the upcoming sacs and exams at the end of the year. I have two days a week to write, and I really try to use them as best as I can. I can procrastinate, so I always like to remind myself of my deadline and get cracking. Writing is a real joy to me. If I can find a few spare hours on the weekend or in the evenings, I make a cup of tea, get a biscuit and sit down with pen and paper. I’m so fortunate that I can do this.

Buy a copy of An Ill Wind here.