I grew up in Christchurch, NZ and that influenced my writing - not so much because childhood had an influence, happy though that was, but because my first full time job was as a clerk working in the courts. It was a great career path but little did I know it would result in writing about stuff I'd stored away in the dark recesses of my mind.

I think this was in the summer of 2009 but the decision to write occurred the previous year as a result of a dinner conversation with a good friend about crime writers we enjoyed.

I did what many of us do and sought publishers and agents. Seeing 'my book' on book shelves certainly appealed to the ego. I soon found I'd entered the publishing world at an incredibly difficult time for publishers and agents. Their world of books was, and still is, changing around them. Many have become very risk averse in taking on new writers, almost to the point where deep down, they want assurances they've got a 'best seller' on their hands. I simply decided I wanted to spend more time writing than chasing and was prepared to take on the cost of contracting a good editor and cover designer.

My latest book is entitled Presumed Guilty. The story is set in Christchurch although the first murder occurs in Akaroa. It begins with the main character Sasha Stace, securing the acquittal of a sleezy MP on a rape charge. Readers will remember Sasha was herself raped in Best Served Cold. But she's disillusioned with criminal law and vows to retire. Then Ben Tyler, her former life partner who betrayed her in Trust No one, is arrested for the murder of his wife. This was the woman Sasha discovered Ben in bed with when they were going through a rocky time but still 'together'. She's not interested in taking the case until she finds out that Quentin Fisk, a grudge holding, ambitious and deceitful lawyer is prosecuting. Sasha already has law society misconduct proceedings against Fisk who wants to win at any cost, so we can expect fireworks in court. The book doesn't stop with the end of the trial - there's a high drama and high octane finish.

Plotting and dialogue. I find its 'playtime'. It's a bit self indulgent to entertain myself but when its going well that's an outcome for me. I believe if I can enjoy writing in that way, I'll
be able to entertain others.

I'm going to branch out and write a slightly different crime story, one known as a police procedural. I'm thinking of a new main character who's a cop running a team trying to determine who committed murdered and why. What will be different about this, is that I'll be reflecting Canterbury people's real experiences of dealing with insurance companies and Christchurch's recovery following the big earthquakes we had in 2010 and 2011.

In the crime genre: Peter Temple, Michael Connelly, Jeffery Deaver, P D James. There are so many great authors. I'm now reading more NZ crime authors and recognise they are just as good as anyone else, particularly Neil Cross and Paul Cleave, Vanda Symon and others,

There is a bit of creative opportunity in my professional work as a human resource consultant. Just recently, I wrote some role-play briefs for a management selection process and performed as the difficult person to deal with. Some people say that the difficult person role comes too easy to me. Can't think why! But there's lots of business writing in my role and lots of working with people when I'm a facilitator of groups dealing with tough work issues.

New authors are almost always word-of-mouth referrals from friends. But with e-books costing not a lot more than the price of a cup of coffee, the financial risk for some is not as great as it used to be. It's a great time for readers to try an author unfamiliar to them.

I don't know whether it was first but it was the first memorable one and that was 'The wind in the willows'. I loved the characterisation with the animals that Graham produced. Close on the heels of that would have been the famous five series and Hardy Boys.

Cautious optimism balanced with the sort of realism that says I wouldn't hire a plumber to wire my house. Cover design is every bit as skilful as writing the stuff behind it. I like to guide the designer with an idea or two but in the end, a good cover needs to reflect the genre.

Where chaos and disorder are corralled into an L shape.