Chris Stuart

I have always been a storyteller. In the throes of youth, mainly around the campfire of here and overseas, I told stories that made people laugh, cry and think. Now I have put pen to paper.
 
I returned to New Zealand after more than twenty years and decided to settle in Nelson, which has a strong arts and craft culture and a lifestyle which I was sure would nurture my writing skills. I started off writing non-fiction and short stories and won the Elyne Mitchell Writing Award (Short Stories) and have been a judge for this since 2013.
 
Last year I decided I finish full time work to try my hand at writing a crime novel, having always loved puzzles and the thrill of the hunt. I always had a desire to be an explorer, but have found full-time writing a new form of discovery – self discovery, which is exciting, depressing, daunting and thrilling. I am in the throes of polishing the final draft and am immersed in the world of DI Robbie Grey and her challenge to find the killer of a UN delegate who was found murdered in a mud filled stagnant swamp in rural Melbourne. This novel has a sequel, and my ultimate aim is to complete a series.

   

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