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What about the Internet? Do you use it for research?

Increasingly I do. But I am very careful with the Net - you have to make sure that the site you are visiting is legit. After all, what seems to be information could be someone's work of fiction. That's why I prefer published books - it just makes me feel safer about the information in them. That said, the Net can move far faster than publishing, and so is good for certain things: for example, I did some missile research for Scarecrow on the Internet.

How much license do you take with reality in your books?

A lot! To me, my books are fiction - a wild blend of fiction mixed in with real facts. Hopefully, most people won't be able to tell what is real and what is not. As a fiction author, that's my job.

How does one get published? And can I send my manuscript to you?

There's a whole book in that first question! The best way to answer it is to say this: it's a different road for everyone. Most people get an agent (which is itself a quest!), but others get discovered by writing magazine pieces or newspaper columns or, yes, sometimes they just send their manuscript to a publisher who reads it and likes it. I self-published Contest to get noticed by a publisher - which is probably one of the more roundabout ways of getting published, but it's one way.

And no, I'd prefer it if readers didn't send their manuscripts to me. I get people emailing me all the time, asking if they can send me a chapter or a synopsis or the whole book, and I always politely decline. The reason is this: I come up with new story ideas all the time, and I'd hate for anyone to think I took an idea from their unpublished work (which they sent to me); so I just have a blanket rule - I don't read any of the pieces which get sent to me. I'm sorry, but I have to do it.

I am writing a book, but just can't seem to motivate myself to do it. What should I do?

To me, motivation comes from your premise. If you are not motivated by the premise of your book, then how will any reader be excited by it? Writing a book, though, is a long project, usually taking at least a year, so you have to make sure, at the very beginning, that the idea behind your book has enough petrol in it to go the distance.

That said, trust yourself, and your idea. Keep at it. If everyone could do it, everyone would be doing it. Writing a book is hard, but when it's done, it is so rewarding.

Where does your motivation come from whenever you're 'down'?

I get out of the house - go to the library or see a movie. Or I pull out my favourite books and remind myself what it is I love about reading. That generally gets me going again.

As I said above, though, I make sure that I am excited about my premise to begin with. If you're excited about your story, that tackles most of the motivational issue.

As an author, do you have to abide by the laws of grammar?

Never! My views on grammar are clear: they exist to serve my story, not the other way around. And if they don't help me, then I throw them out the window!!

What did you think of Episode I: The Phantom Menace?

Didn't think it was as good as the original trilogy. Great effects, but it was somehow... I don't know, hollow.

And Episode 2?

I liked it even less. It didn't grab me on an emotional level, and I felt the story was very similar to Episode I. Which is such a shame, because a little tinkering with the script would have made it sensational.

Has LucasFilm approached you yet to write a spin-off series?

Nope. I'd write Episode III for them, but not a spin-off book. I'd prefer to write my own books, in my own created universe.

If not a prequel, would you be interested in writing a Star Wars Universe Novel?

Geez, I just answered another question in the previous question. See above.

Do you use music to set the tone while you write?

Not really. Most days, I just have the radio on (Nova 96.9 in Sydney).

What kind of music do you listen to when you're not writing?

Bit of everything, really. And I truly mean that! I usually buy 'Various Artists' CDs, so I can get a wide variety of songs. The last sole artist CD I bought was Avril Lavigne's Let Go.

As for what I like: anything with a strong beat, from the old Huey Lewis songs of the 80s, to Jewel and U2 and Robbie Williams today, I like Madonna's new stuff and old stuff (but not the middle-period stuff).

Lately I've been going to the gym more, doing an exercise regime called 'Pump'. It involves doing weights to music, so I've been listening to more dance music: dance versions of The Doors 'Light My Fire' and old songs like 'Heaven' and 'Don't You Want Me Baby'!!

Actually, one of my favourite pieces of music is an orchestral-violin version of The Doors song 'Riders on the Storm' by a violinist named Kennedy.

Do you play any kind of organized sport?

I play golf regularly, off a handicap of 10. I also play touch football in a competition in Northern Sydney, and every now and then, with some friends, I play indoor cricket.

What hobbies, outside of your career choices, do you pursue?

I love watching movies - especially listening to the director's commentaries on DVDs that I love. Ridley Scott's commentaries are awesome, as are John McTiernan's and Michael Bay's.

Do you collect anything?

I collect two things: movie memorabilia and books.

Last year, for my birthday, I was given a full-size Jango Fett helmet! (Yes, I know, I didn't like Episode II that much, but I love Boba and Jango Fett!). I particularly like vehicles from movies, like spaceships (from the Star Wars movies, the little attackers from Independence Day) and the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Standing on my desk right now are the Terminator, RoboCop and Buzz Lightyear.

As for books, I love to go into second-hand bookstores and find old hardbacks (or overseas editions) of my favourite books. I love the US hardback covers of Jurassic Park and The Lost World, for example. I also have an old illustrated edition of Crichton's Eaters of the Dead, one of my favourite novels. I sometimes even buy books just for their production value: Underworld by Don Delillo was beautifully packaged, so I bought it just because it was an example of top-shelf publishing.

Favourite Cartoon Character?

Homer Simpson.

Favourite Comic Strip?

Garfield.

What about food habits? Do they change when you're writing?

I'm very bad in that I tend to write through lunch! I eat anything that can be cooked in a few minutes - toast is a staple! Mainly salad sandwiches.

But when writing, good coffee is a must. I have a thermos-type mug for my coffee - keeps it warmer for longer. I'm also kinda susceptible to chocolate of any variety.

Do you have any eccentric needs when it comes to your writing environment?

Er, nothing like that. I just like to be surrounded by inspiration: my movie posters, my bookshelf and the Jango helmet!

Are there any special websites that you frequent?

Google would be the website I go to most often. Apart from news sites, the only other two biggies would be Amazon.com and The Internet Movie Database (imdb.com), the best movie site that I know of on the Net.

What is your favourite Television show?

I proffer a few TV shows as my favourites: Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, CSI, and Survivor.

Buffy is just superior, innovative television-making. The musical episode was incredible, as was the one where every character lost their voice and went for the whole episode unable to speak. I got those two episodes on DVD and watch them over and over. Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy, is a very impressive storyteller.

CSI gives me plot, plot, plot. I love the way it doesn't bother 'going home' with the characters. It just gives you a crime and solves it, leading you on a twisting, turning ride in the process.

As for Survivor: for me, it's the original and the best reality show. And every season just gets better and better. The series in the Amazon rainforest was just great.

Any pets?

Not at the moment. But I love my parent's golden retriever named Cleo. She's gorgeous.

Any siblings?

One brother, Stephen (who wrote Ninety East Ridge).

Do you have a dream car in mind? Is it in your garage, too?

A Ferrari Maranello, or perhaps a DeLorean. And, no, not yet!

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