Let's talk about me...

It began as play. My wife, Estella, an artist and illustrator, out of the blue one day said:
"Let's make a children's book together, just for fun."

I had never written a story of any kind. Never aspired to. So, of course, I said, okay.

We had no grand plans. No publishing ambitions. Just the two of us making something we might enjoy making.

So we did, and it was fun. A lot of work, mind you, but fun. Then I scribbled out another. And another after that. You get the idea. I kept coming up with stories. She kept illustrating them to life. That world is still very much alive — you can find it over at hendrikandestella.com.

But somewhere along the way, I started drafting other things. Other stories that slipped into my head — novels mostly. Different genres like historical fiction, thrillers, a real odd mix. This writing thing is addictive. Should come with a warning label. Most of them as of this posting sit unfinished in a drawer. But I am going to change all that.

I live in rural Australia. Life here is easy; the village is quiet and the people are friendly. It's the kind of place that doesn't rush you. The lack of urgency, for doing basically anything, felt like a gift when I moved here. Well, maybe it was, though some might argue...

Now I can't point to a single moment that finally motivated me to finish my stories. No dramatic life catalyst, except maybe: what happens if you die with them unfinished? Oh no. These stories deserved to be finished. The world will weep.

Okay, so maybe that was it. Not the weeping part; that was just me being glib.

So, anywho, this is my workshop. A dedicated space to bring my stories to life, one at a time. Historical fiction is first, but there are others waiting their turn.

The drawer is open.