ABOUT ME

When I was in High School, I must have said something about wanting to write. I don’t remember the exact age, but I do remember everyone being annoyed at me. I was arguing with my teachers, ranting to my friends and recommending books to people who’d never, and probably will never, read; I just couldn’t get enough of it and felt like I had to dump my burden onto everyone else. Then I remember towards the end of school, someone sitting me down. Now look, Chris, they said. I’m happy you’re reading, doin’ well at school and all that, but I want you to be realistic. And I believed them.

I finished an Secondary Education Degree in English and History and tried to do the smart thing, but dreams, I guess, they're a bit like a rash. Honestly, I liked teaching though. More than anything, I enjoyed going to poorer schools and helping out. But as the workload grew and the stress increased, I lost energy and time for reading and writing. Now and then I found time on the weekend, gave it a good passionate scratch, then I’d have to stop, and the rash would come back way worse. When I was telling kids to follow their dreams, it was like going at it with a dirty comb. So, I quit, and whether or not it’s a smart decision, I’m making my dream a career or I’m going to die trying. I’ve given it everything I’ve got. Every lecture, every tutorial, every reading. I’m there in class with that fear of the real world in me, asking questions and pestering tutors. I read religiously and write a minimum of 500 words every day. I’ve gotten better too. I have to, there’s no other option. I’ve been on the Dean’s list for academic achievement and my GPA is 6.23.

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Right now, I’m currently researching how Australian writers have been exploring anthropogenic climate change. I’m particularly interested in writers that combine Australian realism with cli-fi, like Jachau’s The World Without Us (2015), and Winton’s Eyrie (2013). I’m also interested in the depth of knowledge that Indigenous communities have on the changing climate and hope to incorporate that into my work. I plan to complete this next year and use it to enter a masters or honours degree. I’m also 30,000 words through an Epic Fantasy that follows large-scale social change, and I’m developing a short story portfolio. I am whole heatedly committed to creative writing and will do everything I can to make it work.

Please feel free to contact me directly if you would like to learn more about my work or if you think I'd be a valuable part of your team.