Writing is my passion and raison d’être.
I am somewhat surprised as I write this because it was my childhood dream to become a famous artist. And although I have exhibited paintings and sold them, the truth is that writing and research is what I spend most of my time doing.
This affliction took hold of me in 1987 when I was thirty eight – prompted by the rebuilding of a fifty-foot steel yacht after it sank at anchor, the circumstances leading up to this, and what I learned. Two years later an 850 page manuscript was complete and I set off to the United States to find a publisher.
Thankfully an editor rescued it from Doubleday’s slush pile. He recommended a rewrite – not only to tighten it up, but to tell the whole story. I was mystified. I mean, wasn’t 850 pages enough! Following his advice, I read Pat Conroy’s The Prince of Tides and settled into my first winter in the snow in New Hampshire to begin what would become nearly twenty years of rewriting to find that elusive story.
This experience, along with the breakdown of my health due to PTSD, and ongoing struggle to restore it, led me to connect the dots between the hugely damaging impact of domestic violence and child abuse on people’s lives, and our most pressing social and health problems.
This is what I now mostly write about, drawing from my experiences as a teacher, counsellor, artist, and traveller. The many stories people shared with me during my travels are woven into inspirational articles to show a way out of what can often be a jungle of despair to new understanding and wisdom.
When I manage to wrench myself away from writing I love to explore the many beautiful bush and beach walks on Waiheke Island, where I now live in New Zealand. About eight thousand people live here amongst vineyards that produce award-winning wines. But the real gift of Waiheke is the stunning scenery and sounds of birds and waves lapping lazily onto the sand. It is where I find the solitude I need to write.
I was born in Melbourne, Australia and have lived in Singapore, North America, France, travelled in England, sailed in the Caribbean, and sailed from New Zealand to Fiji and Tonga on a thirty-six foot yacht, where I swam with the whales and fulfilled a dream of writing while swinging at anchor.
You are welcome to comment on any article or share your own thoughts and experiences by emailing me.
Owhanake Bay, Waiheke Island
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