Tales from the Outback - Choc Lit's Janet Gover talks about her new novel, Flight to Coorah Creek

It's the beginning of March and this means the print version of Janet Gover's fabulous new novel Flight to Coorah Creek is about to be published any day now!

I'm really looking forward to getting my print copy, even though I already have the ebook. There's nothing quite like the lovely touchability of a gorgeously produced book, and of course Choc Lit is famous for its beautiful editions.

Janet agreed to come and talk to me about Flight to Coorah Creek.  

So make yourself comfortable on my fat, squashy sofa, Janet, have a choc chip cookie and a latte, and let's get down to business.  Ooh, is that a book for me?  Thank you!

Who or what inspired you to write Flight to Coorah Creek?

I grew up in a tiny bush town in Australia. At the time, I thought it was lonely and remote and boring (especially as a teenager). But since then I have seen a lot of the world, and I now realise that my childhood was a unique experience. And quite special. These small towns are amazing communities and they have as much of a story as the people in them. In creating Coorah Creek (which exists only in my head and a map pinned to my office door) I am trying to share the experience of small town Australia.

The idea to have my characters work on an air ambulance arose from my own experience. I fell ill while in a very remote location – and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (which is very real) was called in to medi-vac me to hospital. In some ways, this book is my way of saying thank you to those fabulous people. 

What is this novel about?

It’s a book about overcoming the past. About guilt and redemption.

The story centres on Jess Pearson – a pilot who was arrested after drugs were planted on her plane. She was innocent, but still felt guilty over the young lives destroyed by the drugs she unwittingly flew into the country. She runs as far away as she can go – and takes a job flying an outback air ambulance in Coorah Creek. Where she meets Adam Gilmore – a doctor who is hiding his own secret past…

Don’t you just love a dark and damaged hero? Strong and silent and compelling… I do and Adam is all those things…

There are also little sub-plots about the town itself and the people in the town, who I hope will become the readers’ friends.

How did you organise your research?

My first job was to build the town. It had to be realistic. To have a reason to exist, and feel right.  I found a place in the outback where there was water, added a mine and started drawing roads.  I looked at Google Maps a lot to design my town layout.

I have done many trips in small aircraft – but I’m not a pilot.  I had to find a helpful one to tell me how to fly (or maybe not fly…  ) a plane. He was terrific and any technical mistakes regarding the plane are my fault entirely.

A doctor friend helped me with the medical bits.

As for the dynamics of the town itself – most of that didn’t need any research  - I lived it.

Who is your favourite character in the story?

I should say Adam Gilmore, the hero. I hope my readers will feel drawn to him – I certainly was.

But – if I am going to be totally honest, my favourite character is Sister Luke – and elderly Catholic nun who is a dreadful matchmaker, a bit of a busybody and the kindest soul in the world. She brings a touch of humour into Adam’s life.


What does a typical writer's day hold for you?

When I have a ‘writing day’ – I am at my desk in my office by 9 am. I then spend most of the morning faffing about on the internet, checking my books’ rankings on Amazon (I have GOT to stop doing that)  - which usually leads to buying a book or two.

At lunchtime, I walk to the supermarket – I buy my meat and fruit and veg  fresh every day – the walk clears my head and helps me focus. By the time I get back I am ready to stop fooling around and actually start writing.

I have also been known, when close to the end of a book, to get up early on the weekends when my husband is still in bed and write a quick 700 words before he wakes up.

What are you writing now?

I’m working on the next book in the Coorah Creek series. And I am totally in love with the hero. You’ll meet him briefly in Flight to Coorah Creek. His name is Dan Mitchell and he’s the park ranger at the Tyangi National Park.

He’s a former army sniper who saw service in Iraq.  Like many military men, he’s had trouble fitting back into society after his discharge. Enter Rachel Quinn – a former model and now a wildlife photographer with her own ghosts.

The two of them must work together to save horses running wild in the park – and, in saving the horses, they may just save themselves too.

It’s almost finished. Usually when I have almost finished a book, I go through a crisis of confidence and think it’s total rubbish …. But this time… I think maybe this book is not too bad J

Five Quick Questions

Favourite contemporary novelists?

In romance – Nora Roberts, Robyn Carr and Jodi Thomas (all Americans).

In fantasy – Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and George R R Martin.

Favourite part of the world?

Everywhere!  Seriously – the more I travel the more I understand that every part of the world has its own special beauty. But if I had to choose – favourite place is the central Australian desert – which is harsh and beautiful, particularly in the early morning or late evening.  And my favourite city is London – which never ceases to impress me.

Favourite way to relax?

I love old movies and knitting – so I am at my most relaxed curled  up with the cat, watching Humphrey Bogart or Audrey Hepburn, and knitting some really nice colourful or textured wool. It’s best if the knitting pattern is fairly straightforward – so I don’t have to think about the stitches.

Favourite day out?

My husband and I are both history buffs – we are never happier than when we are scrambling around some ruined castle or Neolithic site. If it’s raining – a museum comes a close second. 

Favourite tip for would-be novelists?

Gosh – I have learned so much about writing over the past few years – it’s hard to pick one thing…

If I had to – I think it would be this. Writing and reading are two sides of the same coin. If you don’t love reading, you won’t love writing. Read books you love – and then try to write the sort of book you would love to read.

Thank you so much for chatting to me, Janet. I've never been to Australia and now I'd love to go there!  Maybe one day!

Here's a link to the Amazon UK print edition of Flight to Coorah Creek: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flight-Coorah-Creek-Janet-Gover/dp/1781890978/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393695400&sr=1-1&keywords=flight+to+Coorah+creek