Hi there! I’m an Aussie who loves to write tales of the otherworldly. My muse doesn’t like restrictions, so I write in a variety of genres. And I’m always happy to toe the dark edge of storytelling.

When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy going for walks, reading, cruising the Internet, doing research, watching movies, anime, and TV shows (mainly Supernatural, Dexter, Burn Notice, Castle, The Big Bang Theory, True Blood). Oh, yeah, and I love collecting books!

While my husband and daughter are off at work and school, I’m home with my cat, Loki. So I spend most of my weekdays making things up. As soon as my husband leaves early in the morning, I sit behind the computer and check my emails, the blogs I like to read, and sign into Twitter. I try to limit my time online, so I can squeeze in a little bit of writing before my daughter wakes up. 

It’s the main computer–the one with Internet access, a printer, and the biggest monitor.

After I drop my daughter off at school, I go for an hour walk by the river:

I plug earphones into my ears–and usually listen to My Chemical Romance, 30 Seconds to Mars, or the Goo Goo Dolls–while enjoying my walk. I also spend most of this time thinking about whatever story I’m working on. Or, mentally sorting out my day. It really helps to get things straight in my mind so that when I get home, I know what to get stuck into. 

As soon as I get back from my walk, I usually sit behind the main computer again to get stuck into it. When I’m doing edits or revision, I can keep the desk pretty neat. But when I’m working on a first draft, it’s a total mess. I’ve always got a bunch of post-it notes everywhere, whatever Book Bible I need at the time, pens, and my calendar. Sometimes, it starts to look like a mess, but it’s actually organised clutter. And I always clear most things away by the time I finish up for the day.

I take a break for lunch at midday. Which also includes watching something on TV. At the moment, one of the channels is replaying the entire CHARMED series, so I’m enjoying my breaks a lot more lately. Daytime TV can be very crappy, sometimes.

After the dishes are done and the kitchen’s tidy, I get back to work at the main computer. However, if I’m in-between projects, I might decide to get stuck into some reading after lunch. Other times, I might sit at the other end of my ‘reading’ couch with my laptop, and write here:

And finally, if I’ve got some research and brainstorming to do for a specific project but also need the story handy, I might set things up on the kitchen bench:

Oh, but there’s always one constant:

Loki’s my writing buddy. He likes to be nearby.

So, I pretty much work all over the living room area. I keep working until three in the afternoon, which is when I pack everything away and head over to the school to meet my husband and daughter. The rest of the afternoon/evening is spent with them.

The next day, I do it all again. I like to take the weekends off, though. It’s always nice to get a break.

A PATCH OF DARKNESS
Released May 15th 2012, Samhain
Purchase: Amazon UK | US

In a perfect world, Sierra Fox would have stayed away from the Council she left years ago. But in this world—where spirits have the right to walk among the living—it’s her job to round up troublesome spooks and bring them before that very same Council.

Though her desk is piled high with open cases, she can’t resist an anonymous summons to a mysterious late-night meeting with a bunch of other hunters, each of whom seems to have a unique specialty. The news is dire: something is tearing at the fabric of the universe. If the hunters can’t find who or why in time, something’s going to give in a very messy way.

As current cases, family secrets, new clues and her tangled love life slowly wind themselves into an impossible knot, Sierra finds herself the target of a power-sucking duo intent on stealing her mojo. And realizing she holds the key to the last hope of sealing the widening rift.

Product Warnings: Spook catching: may contain traces of ectoplasm and otherworldly nasties. Not recommended for those with allergies to ghosts, demons, and with boyfriends who think your power is theirs. While reading, avoid dark patches and stay to the light.

Yolanda is kindly giving away an ebook copy of “A Patch of Darkness” to one lucky winner!

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL and ends 25th April 2012

To enter please follow Rafflecopter instructions below

GOOD LUCK!