Tell us something about yourself that not many people know.
I actually grew up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, where most of my childhood was spent barefoot, outdoors, and dreaming up stories long before I knew I’d ever write one. I started acting when I was young, and just before COVID-19 hit, I moved to Melbourne to really chase that dream. The world had other plans, of course, but the unexpected pause ended up becoming a turning point. I planted new roots here, and now I live on a quiet little farm with my partner, our mischievous cat Crispy, and our loyal dog Coco. It’s a funny contrast—acting, writing fantasy worlds, and then coming home to wide paddocks and animals—but it’s exactly the balance I never knew I needed.

Why did you choose the themes in your book and were you aware of them from the start?
When I began writing The Trials of Browid during COVID, I didn’t consciously choose the themes—I was simply trying to escape into a world that had been living in my mind for years. But as the lockdowns continued, I realised the story was becoming shaped by the same feelings we were all experiencing: isolation, uncertainty, and the need to adapt. Some of the major themes that emerged were survival and perseverance. Selena’s journey—her resilience, her ability to evolve, and the way she pushes through impossible circumstances—mirrored the emotional landscape of that time. The themes found their way onto the page naturally, reflecting exactly what I needed to process and understand.

How difficult was it for you to write this book? Did you face any obstacles?
One of the hardest parts of writing this book was battling the doubt of whether anyone else would connect with the characters I’d created—whether readers would find them as endearing, layered, and lovable as they felt to me. I think every writer secretly hopes their characters will live in someone else’s heart the way they live in ours. Another challenge was simply giving myself permission to write. I would often write late at night, because during the day I kept telling myself, You’re an actor—focus on acting. But the deeper I got into the story, the more I realised I was essentially directing a film in my mind, scene by scene. Writing The Trials of Browid taught me something important: I’m capable of more than one creative outlet, and those outlets can actually fuel each other rather than compete.

Do you always write in this genre or do you like to break out of the box?
Right now, I’m deep into writing the continuation of The Trials of Browid, and romantic fantasy really feels like home for me. I’ve always been drawn to stories that let you step out of the everyday world and disappear into something magical, emotional, and a little dangerous. I think that’s why this genre fits me so naturally—I love the blend of wonder and heart. I’ll never say never to writing in another genre, but anything fantastical with a touch of romance is always swirling around in my mind. It’s the kind of storytelling I connect with most, and I think it’ll always be part of who I am as a writer.

What are your writing habits or idiosyncrasies?
I’m definitely a night writer. There’s something magical about those late hours when the world has gone quiet—it feels like I can slip more easily into my own world and stay there. I usually have soft cinematic music playing in the background, nothing that overwhelms the words, just enough to guide the emotion of each scene. That might be the actor in me, always searching for the emotional thread that ties me to my characters. I also get my best ideas right as I’m about to fall asleep. Without fail, a plot twist or a new character moment will pop into my head at midnight, so I always keep a notebook or my phone within reach.

If you worked with a professional editor, what was the experience like?
I worked with a truly wonderful editor—someone with a lot of experience in sci-fi and fantasy—and she gave me so much guidance that I’ll forever be grateful for. The editing process was completely different from what I imagined. Because my book ended up being … well, quite large (about 610 pages—whoops), it took time for us to work through everything and make sure we were always on the same page. What I loved most was hearing her insight about the story and my characters. She never tried to change my story or my voice. Instead, she encouraged me to dig deeper, to push myself, and to bring out the strongest version of the book I could. It was incredible to work with someone who understood my world but also challenged me to grow as an author. I’m truly grateful I had the chance to work with her.

What’s next for your writing?
The Trials of Browid is only the beginning—it’s the first book in a planned five-book series. I’m already deep into writing the continuation, exploring new corners of the world and letting the characters grow in ways that even surprise me sometimes. It’s incredibly exciting to expand the story, raise the stakes, and take readers even further into the world. There’s a lot more to come, and I can’t wait to share it.