Change is inevitable.

Life is so frenetic. Today there appears to be a constant urge to go further, get faster, experience more .... so much so, that we're not content with real reality, we have to have virtual reality too!
But as the French, nineteenth century write Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr said -"plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose"—"the more things change, the more they stay the same." People may dress differently and like speak in a like different way, but inside most of us beats the same fragile heart with the same uncertainties and fears.
Personally, I really believe that humans are awesome. Not a day goes past that I don't meet someone who makes me smile at what they've done or what they've put up with. In fact, you all inspire me.
I've changed too, but deep inside is still the same young man who thrills at a challenge, who dreams big dreams and who wants to be a better human being. I want to leave a mark on the world, not just for the world to say Whoa, he's one one special man (although please feel free to do so if you're so inclined), but because that's what I see as one of the great challenges of life - leaving it better for the next generation.
That's why I write my books.
I know that there are millions of young folk who suffer for one reason, or indeed for many reasons, - the list is long and has been around for many generations. But in some respects, suffering is in our DNA and the challenge is to assimilate it in such a way that we become stronger, wiser people. In my writings I try to show how having strong family connections can provide a basis of support for life. How surrounding yourself with good people will give you a good network for life - because tough times will come and you will need them, just as they will need you.
Talking of changes, I never thought four years ago that I would write one book, let alone five! It was a particular delight this week to receive a 'hard copy' of Book II of The Renaissance Brothers. Book three is in the final stages of being edited by my Seattle based editor Kerrie Schurr (take a bow Kerrie), and a copy of my manuscript for Captain Scully RM is being perused by Catherine Milne, Head of Fiction at Harper Collins in Sydney - fingers and toes are crossed appropriately. But inside, I don't think I've changed that much: it's just that I now I'm older, I've learned not to worry about those small irritations that seem to cast such big shadows and that means that there's more time for smiling!
​Have a nice day.