How it all started.

I began reading fantasy and science fiction before I was in High School (an Agricultural one, which gave me an interest in plants). Even before then, I was first exposed to H. Rider Haggard who wrote among other things, King Solomon’s Mines. He is regarded by many as the father of modern epic fantasy. Haggard was one of the main influences on the storytelling style of Tolkien and he has had the same effect on my writing.

Before I started writing I was a fantasy wargamer, and I helped several writers set up their fictional worlds. Among other things I am a sociologist with a strong interest in how societies develop and change. I am also an economic statistician and amateur historian and so, between all of these, I am used to looking for the ‘why’ that is hidden behind events.

Between all of these, using swords and bows as a hobby, and being a cook and a horticulturalist as well, is it strange that I developed an interest in World-building? I have run many panels on this subject at National SF Conventions over the years. It was on one of these that I met George R. R. Martin. He looked at what I had done for my gaming and, to paraphrase what he wrote over a signature, it was time for me to stop reading his books and start writing my own.

It took me a while to pluck up the courage to put pen to paper, but eventually I took his words to heart. It then took me twelve years of writing before I first approached a publisher, who rejected me, but gave me valuable advice, and eventually the many re-writes paid off.

Cary Lenehan is a former trades assistant, soldier, public servant, cab driver, truck driver, game designer, fishmonger, horticulturalist and university tutor – among other things. His hobbies include collecting and reading books (the non-fiction are Dewey decimalised), Tasmanian native plants (particularly the edible ones), medieval re-creation and gaming. He has taught people how to use everything from short-swords to rocket launchers. He met his wife at an SF Convention while cosplaying and they have been together since that time. He was born in Sydney before marrying and moving to the Snowy Mountains where they started their family. They moved to Tasmania for the warmer winters. Looking out of the window beside Cary’s computer in Hobart/nipaluna is a sweeping view of Mount Wellington/kunanyi and its range of mountains.