Tell us about your background and what led you to writing this book.
Sticks and Stones was largely influenced by my work as a crime and court reporter over the past 13 years, and some of the stories I’ve heard while covering some of Melbourne’s most notorious murders. I’m constantly amazed by the domino effect that violence and trauma have on people’s lives – how the actions of one person can affect dozens into the future, sometimes over the span of decades. I wanted to show the devastation of this cycle of neglect, and the links between upbringing and behaviour, between self-esteem and self-harm.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
The process of writing this book was far more research-heavy than I’d imagined – particularly in terms of portraying the police work accurately. Although it is of course fiction, I did want the investigation to be believable. So, this resulted in a fairly exhausting process of working through each scenario with police contacts to understand the procedural and administrative minutiae that detectives face day-to-day.
On the plus side, the process of researching and contacting experts has helped me foster close relationships with people who are now not only good friends, but will likely remain ongoing sources for future projects.
What’s some great advice you’ve received that has helped you as a writer?
There’s a quote by American author Libba Bray, which I have as the screen saver on my laptop: Write like it matters, and it will.
This concept kept me on track as I worked through the many drafts of Sticks and Stones, as it reminded me that success lies not only in showing up, but in showing up well. There are times – particularly at the start of a novel – when the process of creating an entire manuscript can feel utterly overwhelming. But it really is a case of putting one foot after the other, and if you keep turning up, fully committed to whatever it is you are trying to create, you can have faith that eventually the writing will take shape.
Who are some of your favourite authors? Or favourite books?
I have a particular fondness for Scandinavian crime, and in particular, Camilla Lackberg. Her debut The Ice Princess was my introduction to Nordic noir, and I’ve read every book in her Patrik Hedstrom series. She’s definitely a huge inspiration for me as a writer.
But I must say, these days there are so many good Australian crime authors, that I tend to recommend them first and foremost. For a suspenseful, but also fun read, I highly suggest any of Candice Fox’s books. I also really enjoy Benjamin Stevenson’s work, and anything by Chris Hammer.
What’s your daily writing routine like and what are you working on at the moment?
Being a reporter is not a 9-to-5, weekday job, so I don’t have a set routine with my writing as far as hours or days are concerned. However I do try to be up by 5am at the latest each day, so I can get as much writing done before my reporting shift begins. On days off I can get as much as six hours of solid writing done, but I tend to average two to three hours of focused work.
My intention with Sticks and Stones was always for it to be a series, so I’ve been furiously working on the next instalment. At the moment I’m trying to make the most of Melbourne’s lockdown, by putting the finishing touches on that manuscript – so hopefully we will see Emmett Corban return soon!
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