Midway
We are more than halfway through 2026, and yet again, it’s taken me awhile to get another blog post out – the reason is still the same – life and the desire to seize every available opportunity to write.
As we entered 2026, I consciously declared it a year of writing. A year of just getting stories out of my head and onto the page. I’ve been lucky enough to have a number of ideas whirling around but hadn’t the chance to actually land them. I’ve been channelling Emma Grey. Emma is an incredible local author, and I was fortunate enough to attend one of her writing workshops earlier in the year. Her approach to this author life is just to keep writing – get it all written – start to finish – just let it all flow out of you and then review, delete and edit. She also encouraged us to stop critiquing our own work for months or even years on end and hit the submit button once you have it in a state you feel is enough. I’ve been so reluctant to send manuscripts out. I just keep tweaking them. I still feel the self-doubt, which has an uncanny way of stalling me. But, this year – I am hitting submit. I need to let the stories go and it feels good to do so. You’ve got to keep trying. You owe it to your readers. You owe it to your characters. You owe it to yourself.
I’ve also been running some beautiful writer gatherings, as part of the Story Creators Community. A community I founded pre-COVID with some fellow writing buddies. I have reinstated the group, and we are meeting monthly (aside from the colder months – not many people want to gather in the Canberra winter). It’s been lovely to be around budding creators and just sharing our experiences – learning from one another and collectively finding the courage to keep embarking on this writing path together. Following our hearts. Doing what we are being called to do. Trying. Having fun whilst chasing dreams.
If you need some guidance on your own creative journey – I’m always here to help. If you would like some information on the Story Creators Community or if you would like some one-on-one support – please do reach out. I’m so honoured to have been asked to help some incredible creatives recently. I love being able to support others tap into their creativity and share their own stories with heart.
There have been a number of highlights over the past few months – Ariana Treasure made it to Bologna at the Books from Australia stand! Huge dream come true – I still can not believe it. My little self is just leaping for joy. I made it to KidLitVic – my favourite writing conference – I always learn so much and love catching up with this beautiful writing community. Ariana Treasure: The Lucky Shoes was long listed for the Australian School Library Association DANZ Children’s Book of theYear Award. I also have a new story coming out as part of the Just Write For Kids – Literally Hilarious – Junior Fiction anthology. This will be my eleventh publication. Can you believe it?! It’s been a remarkable, magical time and I am honestly so deeply grateful for every single opportunity that has come my way. The people who I’ve met along the way – the ones who continuously cheer me on and give me the courage to keep following my heart – encouraging me to keep writing. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and can’t wait to see where this adventure keeps leading. Thank you to everyone who has been by my side.
I might leave it there for now as I really need to get back to writing some stories. The characters are beckoning 🙂
Wishing you a creative few months – and I’ll do my absolute best to get another blog article out soon – it’s just – life.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MONTHS
Super excited to find Ariana Treasure: The Lucky Shoes on the ASLA DANZ Children’s Book of the Year Award longlist 
Ariana Treasure: The Missing Book was found in Bologna 
Had the most beautiful time at the amazing @kidlitvic conference 
It always fills my cup.
Out this month! 2026 junior fiction anthology, Literally Hilarious: Families Gone Wild.
A percentage of proceeds from book sales will go directly to The Indigenous Literacy Foundation, to help children and families in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities with opportunities for language and literacy learning.
The anthology features short stories, poems and other activities by wonderful creators with the aim to get your family laughing 
It was an honour to be part of bringing this heartwarming anthology to life.
