Monthly Archives: September 2024

It isn’t all romance

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Thinking about the books I have written, although they are mostly classified as romance, my key focus is on human relationships.

There are conflicts, misunderstandings, love, and affection – not just between the primary couple but between friends, family members, people and their pets, and even with strangers.

Humans are complex creatures, and that gives rise to many story lines, and it’s those relationships that draw us in as readers.

Relationships were very important in Skywalkers. Clearly, there was a strong community between the people who comprised the skywalkers, and they supported each other when the need arose. It highlighted the need for human connection, as exhibited by Winston and his doomed relationship with Katrina. Riley shared mutual respect with Phoebe, even though there was a difference in age of several decades. That story was not a romance, but even so, by the end of the story, we are rooting for the development of the relationship between Riley and Sophie.

My current book, nearing completion, is Safe Harbour in Sandy Bay. Some of the characters in that book don’t feel the need to always be nice to those around them, or even to socialize if they don’t feel like it. That’s a reflection of how life is for many. Except for the genuine loner, each of us still reaches out to others in some way, seeking expression of connection and a relationship on our terms.

What do you think?

Skywalkers

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Skywalkers is a mystery tale that evolved slowly.

Skywalker, overlooking the city

It came to me while I daydreamed in my job, staring out the window of my 16th floor workstation. Laid out before me, the city provided welcome distraction; aircraft on final descent into Adelaide Airport, a blimp during the Fringe Festival, Children’s balloons that escaped sticky fingers, and then the human activity. Maintenance men climbed over rooves, window washers swung past via gantries, and cranes were active most days. I began to picture the life that occurs above street level, and the people who live it.

Older high-rise commercial buildings often had a caretaker flat either on the roof, or located in the basement. That doesn’t happen as often anymore, as computerized technologies and facilities managers monitor city buildings remotely. My story evolved around those people who look after the older buildings, and have live-in positions. They regard the city as theirs after hours, when all the diurnals or flat-earthers have retreated to the suburbs. 

The Skywalkers are part of a community with a restricted membership, and their own means of communication. Next time you see an unusual flog raised on top of a city building, you will wonder who is communicating what to whom. It won’t always represent a particular state, company, or nation.

The people who live and work above the city, have their own code of ethics, and look after their own. They have a strong sense of community. When one of them is under threat, the others rally to help, particularly when lives may be in peril.

Winding between the legs of those who stand still long enough is a large, opinionated, ginger cat. He is every bit a part of the story as the two-legged characters. When it seems that Ginger Puss is also at risk, it’s time for everyone to take action.

books2read.com/skywalkers for links to major book retailers.