Could you please describe your creative practice?

My creative practice is rooted in storytelling. Through novels, short fiction, performing arts or collaborative projects, I’m always drawn to the power of words to connect, to reveal, and to transform. I write to illuminate voices and experiences that are often overlooked, weaving narratives that explore identity, resilience, and belonging.

Beyond the page, my practice is also deeply community driven. I love working with people and collaborating across different spaces, sharing the joy of story, and showing how creativity can be a tool for expression and change. For me, it’s not just about producing work, but about cultivating spaces where stories can spark conversation, healing, and imagination.

 

When did your creative journey begin?

My creative journey began when I first discovered the power of language as a child. After learning English at six, I became fascinated by the way words could carry emotion, meaning, and possibility. Coming from a background where my native tongue, Dinka, is innately a spoken language, I developed an even deeper fascination with the written word and all the ways it can capture and preserve stories. Storytelling quickly became a way for me to make sense of the world around me and to connect with others.

Over time, what started as a personal outlet grew into a deeper practice. Writing turned into a way of preserving memory, exploring identity, and imagining new futures — and that passion has continued to shape my life and work ever since.

 

What inspired you to pursue a career in the creative field?

What inspired me to pursue a career in the creative field was the way stories have always shaped my life. Growing up, I saw firsthand how storytelling could bridge worlds — between cultures, generations, and experiences. Writing gave me a language not only to understand myself, but also to connect with others in meaningful ways.

How do you connect with the Greater Geelong area through your work?

I connect with Geelong area through both my storytelling and my community engagement. My debut novel, Hopeless Kingdom, is primarily set in Geelong, which makes the city itself a central part of my creative work. Beyond my writing, I collaborate with local schools, arts organisations, and the Geelong Library, including participating in the Local Word Festival and festivals that celebrate the written word.

Being part of this community allows me to share stories, inspire creativity, and engage people across all ages in the power of words. At the same time, the people, history, and culture of Geelong continue to inform and inspire my own work, creating a reciprocal connection that I deeply value.

 

What challenges or barriers have you encountered in your career?

Finding spaces where voices like mine are seen, heard, and supported is challenging. The publishing and arts industries can be competitive and often overlook stories from marginalised communities. However, these challenges have also shaped my determination to create work that reflects authentic experiences and to build opportunities for connection, collaboration, and representation – both through my writing and through community projects.

 

Looking ahead, what would you like to achieve?

Looking ahead, I’d like to continue creating work that amplifies voices and stories that are often overlooked, while also expanding the ways I engage with communities through writing and storytelling. I’ve recently completed my second novel and am in the early stages of producing my third, To Skin a Fish, which was recently shortlisted for the Paragraph Fellowship — a project that excites me greatly as I explore new ideas and directions in my work.

Ultimately, my goal is to keep fostering connections between stories and people, to inspire creativity and reflection, and to contribute to a vibrant, inclusive literary and arts culture both locally in Geelong and beyond.