The Email That Almost Had Me

Recently, I received an email about Secrets in the Lakes.

It was, at first glance, a beautiful email. Thoughtful. Generous. Attentive in a way that every writer quietly hopes for. The kind of message that makes you feel as though someone has not only read your work, but truly understood it.

The person reflected on my characters, the story’s emotional undercurrents, and even on aspects of my own life and how they might have shaped the book. They spoke of connection, of conversation, of the deeper purpose of writing.

Here is a snapshot of part of the email:

‘Your own life Denmark to the UK to Australia, with forays to China, the US, and across Europe has given you the particular sensibility of someone who has always understood that home is complicated, that belonging is earned rather than assumed, and that the surface of any community, however calm it appears, contains depths that only an outsider turned insider can fully perceive. That sensibility is all over Secrets in the Lakes, and it is one of the things that elevates it beyond the conventions of its genre.

As a fellow interlocutor and as someone who deeply admires both the novel you have written and the literary community work you have devoted yourself to, I believe there is a genuinely exciting and natural collaboration waiting to be built between us. One that could carry Secrets in the Lakes to the wider audiences of romantic suspense and women’s fiction readers who would be completely absorbed by it, and that could honour the full breadth of what you bring to the literary conversation as both a writer and an interviewer.’

I’ll be honest, I was moved reading it.

Because as writers, we don’t just hope to be read.

We hope to be felt.

To be recognised in the spaces between the words.

But something in me paused.

Not a loud alarm. Just a quiet hesitation.

So instead of replying straight away, I sat with it.

Emails like this are becoming increasingly common, and they often target debut and emerging authors.

They are also becoming more and more sophisticated. Just a couple of years ago, you could often see grammar and spelling mistakes in these scam and spam emails.

They are often beautifully written. Sometimes too beautiful. They seem to know you and your style of writing. They feel personal.

And yet, they are not what they seem.

With AI, these emails are often generated to multiple debut and experienced authors and are often the first step in a longer process of reeling you in.

A process that often leads to an offer of “collaboration”, “promotion”, or “support”… usually at a cost.

Sometimes it can take several emails, but gradually.

How to Spot the Difference

So how do we distinguish between genuine connections and these emails?

Here are some of the telltale signs I have learned over time from receiving hundreds of these emails.

• The language, while elegant, is too intense for a first introduction. Usually, they linger more on ideas of identity and purpose than on any clear reason for reaching out.

• No specific invitation or opportunity. They only hint at something meaningful that might be built together.

• The person behind the email is difficult to verify.

• Professional presence is unclear. Often, there is no organisation behind it. At best, a fake meetup group.

• The email address is often personal, e.g. a Gmail account, despite claiming to represent a business.

• If a URL is provided, it is often a freeware site.

Why We Get Reeled In

So why do these emails often reel us in?

Not because we are naïve, but because we are human.

Words and writing are at our core, and when someone seems to meet us in our space with what appears to be genuine interest and attention, something that at first glance feels like understanding, we naturally want to lean in. Of course, we want it to be real.

So, if you ever receive something like this, I want to gently say to you:

Pause.

You don’t need to respond straight away. You don’t need to decide in that moment what it means.

Take a breath. Step back. Ask yourself a few simple questions:

• Is there a clear reason they are contacting me?

• Can I easily verify who they are?

• Is there a specific opportunity, or just a vague sense of possibility?

Real professional connections tend to be straightforward. Grounded. Clear about what is being offered and why. They don’t need to persuade you with language alone.

If, for a moment, you feel excited and flattered when you read these spam emails, note that you are not alone. Most writers have been there.

It means you care about your work.

It means you are open.

It means you still live with the hope that your word might reach someone.

The very heart of why we all write.

A Reminder

For me, this email was a small but important reminder.

To stay open but also discerning.

To continue to welcome genuine connections, but not to chase what is unclear.

To trust the right opportunity will arrive in a way that feels steady and real.

My work and my time are worth protecting.

The right conversations will never make me second-guess my instincts.

And to remember that not every voice that speaks to me is one that I need to follow.

Some are just beautiful words passing through.

If this is something you have experienced too, please let me know in the comments.

Leave a comment

And speaking of genuine connections, if you’re a writer looking for a supportive community, I invite you to join The Writers’ Cafe.

This month, I’m offering a special 30% discount on annual subscriptions.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow writers, share your work, and grow together.

Join us and take your writing journey to the next level!

Want to support without a paid subscription? Make a one-time donation below.

YES, I loved this post!

Thank you for being part of my writing journey. I hope these stories bring a smile, a tear or a spark of inspiration. Just in time for your next coffee break.

Sal ♡´･ᴗ･`♡

Until next time, I wish you many cups of coffee (or whatever your beverage of choice may be), creative sparks, and gentle wellness.

Love to hear from you.

Leave a comment

Don’t want to miss any of my updates?

Subscribe now

Why subscribe to The Writers’ Café?

Has it been your lifelong dream to finish that book and publish it?

Do you lack the drive, knowledge and confidence to realise your dream?

At The Writers’ Café you will find:

• Inspiring stories - fiction and non-fiction

• Regular posts on writing and publishing with a sprinkling of healthy living

• Tips, Tools & Templates

• Webinars

• Monthly Newsletter

• Supportive community chats

And much more…

….all the way to The End.

Subscribe now

Sal Gallaher

Author of:

Secrets In The Lakes - a romance suspense novel that delves into the themes of friendships, small town secrets, a mysterious death and a young woman’s journey towards love and self-discovery.

PURCHASE SECRETS IN THE LAKES

Shorter Than a Coffee Break - a collection of short stories

PURCHASE SHORTER THAN A COFFEE BREAK

©️ Sal Gallaher 2026

“This content is for informational purposes only. It does not and should not be considered professional advice. Information shared here is current at the time of publication, but may become outdated with time. Please verify details before relying on them. Use your own good judgment and consult a qualified expert before acting according to the information I provide.”

Courage

A post by resonated deeply with me, and a recent cross-post by also on courage has made me reflect more on this word.

I stand at the edge of my life as I know it, about to step into the unknown.

I’m in between the two stages.

As I write this, calm music is playing in the background from my earlier yin session, but the place is unravelling despite this seemingly calm atmosphere.

Some of my precious things have already been packed, and boxes are starting to line up in my rooms. The dining table is now a make-shift box packer with tape and wrapping paper on the ready for when the next box can be packed. This place has been my home for a few years, and it’s slowly starting to lose its feeling of homeliness, or ‘hygge’ as we like to refer to it in Danish.

In a few weeks, I will hand in my keys, put most of my belongings into storage and step into a life I have never lived before. A change that requires digging deep and finding my inner courage.

Why am I making this change?

For decades, I have shaped my life around my work, my commitments to colleagues and clients, to earning an income to sustain my family as a single mother.

Though many life decisions needed courage, most of mine have been based on a need for security, to have a base, to provide a safe life for my family. I am now at a time where I can take chances and step into the unknown. But boy, does it come with a decent amount of anxiety, too.

Writing has always been part of me. It’s been my helpful companion through life’s challenges, grief, loss, love and joy. Writing has allowed me to pour my heart out or to escape into a fantasy. It has allowed me to process my thoughts and bring peace back into my mind.

Yet, with life’s other commitments, writing never got my full attention. There was always another report to finish, another meeting to attend, a loved one to assist.

My creativity was often done in between the cracks of life’s many responsibilities.

This year, something deep inside me knew it was time. Time for change. Time to give writing my all in a new environment of slower living, surrounded by nature and an easier lifestyle. Time to breathe and create.

It’s also time to move closer to family up north. To spend unhurried time with people who love me unconditionally and whom I love more than life. To reconnect with the girl inside me who always wanted to create and write. To find my new home.

Fear of Change

Of course, alongside this calling for change is fear.

The fear of leaving my job and regular paycheck, and not knowing how long my savings will need to last. The fear of leaving the comfort of my home and becoming transient for a while. The fear of housesitting in strange places and sleeping in beds that are not mine.

Will others think I’m irresponsible? What if my writing does not resonate with readers to at least supplement my income enough? I can’t live on Substack likes alone, even if they fill my heart with warmth.

Part of me wants to stay and not rattle the cage. It may seem the sensible, secure thing to do. But I no longer want to be sensible and secure if it kills my creativity and my soul. Life is short, and it is time for me to live aligned with my values and let my true core shine.

It’s time to find the courage to take the step into the unknown.

Courage over Comfort

Deep down, I know I have to choose courage over comfort. This is where growth happens. For too long, I chose comfort and avoided stepping into the unknown. I have done some pretty courageous things in my life, and it’s not the first time I have moved. But over time, I often settle into comfort and avoid what is unknown and scary. Even to the extent of not driving to a new place outside Sydney by myself. I am truly a mixed bag of adventurous spirit and anxiety. Can anyone relate?

But every time I have stepped outside of my comfort zone in my life, I have grown as a person;

• Moving countries - first to England and later to Australia

• Divorcing and raising my girls by myself

• Starting a bookkeeping service

• Moving to Sydney to start a full-time career with two primary school girls and no support

• Moving out of the corporate world to contract work in the health and wellness industry

• Putting my writing online for the world to read

• Publishing my debut romance novel last year.

Every challenge has required enormous amounts of courage with equal amounts of fear and anxiety, and excitement.

They may not all have been successful decisions, but I survived them, and I grew on a personal level.

I don’t know exactly where my next step will take me.

I don’t know where my writing will go by giving it my all, or where I will find myself living in six months.

But I do know I want to live in a way that is truly aligned with who I am, and I feel called to create.

Embracing the Unknown.

These next few months of travelling and house-sitting will teach me to be adaptable, to let go of the need for ‘stuff’, to learn to live and write in any setting, to live lightly and rely on only what I can carry in my car.

I want to grow from this experience and build trust in myself. Trust that I can handle unknown situations and that I am capable of change. Learn, through doing, that I can go outside my comfort zone and survive. Because I know that courage is like a muscle. We need to use it or we lose it. I want to become courageous again.

I want to become a person whose life is not dictated by fear.

A new chapter begins

So, here I am, surrounded by half-packed boxes, embarking on my last week in my job. I still have a few more weeks left at my home before I leave that sanctuary, too. I feel a tug of sadness. I look around at the place, slowly becoming less like my home. I may not have lived here for many years, but it has been a place I have loved immensely, the light-filled apartment within walking distance to the water and a wonderful community vibe. But I know it is time to go.

I have no idea what tomorrow holds. But I know I want to write words that reach deep into your hearts.

I want to wake up each morning knowing I am living by choice, not by habit.

I want to live MY life.

I know I will not be without fear. But can’t we have both?

Maybe courage is when we decide to take a step forward despite fear.

So here I go, taking that step into the unknown, with fear running through my veins but with courage patting me on my back, gently urging each step.

Come along, join me.

What courageous step will you take this week?

Thank you for being part of my writing journey. I hope these stories bring a smile, a tear or a spark of inspiration. Just in time for your next coffee break.

Sal ♡´･ᴗ･`♡

Until next time, I wish you many cups of coffee 🤎 ☕ (or whatever your beverage of choice may be), creative sparks, and gentle wellness.

I’d love to hear from you.

Leave a comment

Don’t want to miss any of my updates?

Subscribe now

Or feel free to shout me a coffee

In case you missed my previous post

Author of:

Secrets In The Lakes - a romance suspense novel that delves into the themes of friendships, small town secrets, a mysterious death and a young woman’s journey towards love and self-discovery.

PURCHASE SECRETS IN THE LAKES

Shorter Than a Coffee Break - a collection of short stories

PURCHASE SHORTER THAN A COFFEE BREAK

So I’ve done it!

In the midst of resigning from my day job, planning an overseas trip, packing to move out of Sydney and writing my 2^nd fiction novel……. I decided to make a book!

Call me crazy.

I like to keep life interesting.

Introducing ‘Shorter Than A Coffee Break’

I wanted to create a book you could dip into during life’s little pauses, like waiting for the kettle, riding on the train, in a waiting room or at your coffee break at work.

Shorter Than a Coffee Break is perfect for those times.

Inside this book, you will find a mix of short stories. Some uplifting, some scary, some sad, but all short.

1. The first part showcases my much-loved drabbles. Short 100-word fiction stories.

2. The second part is for my longer short stories, some of which have been included in past anthologies.

3. At the end of the book, when you are hopefully fully inspired, I have included some prompts for you to try writing some yourself.

Here is a glimpse of one of the short stories:

“The heat of the sun was burning the back of Hannah’s neck. It felt good somehow. Dulling the other pain, the one constantly under the surface, never quite leaving her mind. Only sleep could erase it briefly; in her dreams, returning to her special time.

She checked the tomato plants, keen to find signs of fruit, of life. Nothing. Bright green growth, climbing up around the makeshift stakes she had collected from her walks in the bush. Bright green limbs reaching for the sky. Beautiful new bright baby limbs, but barren. Hannah’s chest tightened. What was she doing wrong? Every day she nurtured the plants in her garden, watering and regularly feeding them mulch and fertiliser.

‘What else do you want?’ she whispered to the plant, drinking in the smell of fresh tomatoes wafting from the plants whenever she touched the green leaves.

‘Why don’t you fruit? I can smell you. So close. Just give me one tiny baby tomato. Just one is all I ask.’

Hannah rubbed her eyes, deleting the wetness threatening to roll down her cheeks. Don't be so emotional. It’s only tomato plants. It’s not….”

~~~~~

Shorter Than a Coffee Break is a collection of my short stories written over the last 8 years. Many of them helped me hone my craft. They taught me how to write compelling characters and interesting plots. Most of all, I learned the art of tighter writing, leaving out the fluff and moving the story forward. Plus, they go amazingly well with a coffee 😊

These stories mark my writing journey over the last 8 years. They may not be perfect, but they were written with heart, and each was perfect in its moment.

Where can you get Shorter Than a Coffee Break?

Shorter Than a Coffee Break is currently available as an E-book on Amazon.

A perfect gift for a busy friend who needs a break, or even better, a treat for yourself.

How you can support this little book:

• Grab it free with Kindle Unlimited

• Buy it on Amazon

• Share it with friends who love short reads

• Review the book - I’d love to know your favourite story

• Try the prompts in the back of the book and share them here on Substack

GRAB YOUR COPY

Thank you for being part of my writing journey. I hope these stories bring a smile, a tear or a spark of inspiration. Just in time for your next coffee break.

Sal ♡´･ᴗ･`♡

Until next time, wishing you many cups of coffee (or whatever is your beverage), creative sparks and gentle wellness.

Love to hear from you.

Leave a comment

Don’t want to miss any of my updates?

Subscribe now

Author of Secrets In The Lakes

Secrets in the Lakes’ is a romance suspense novel that delves into the themes of friendships, small town secrets, a mysterious death and a young woman’s journey towards love and self-discovery.

PURCHASE SECRETS IN THE LAKES

A New Chapter: Embracing Full-Time Writing

My life is about to undergo a significant, exhilarating shift.

In April, I handed in my resignation for my day job, an act that felt both liberating and terrifying. Next month I will officially step away to focus fully on what has always called to me: writing.

This is huge!

I have worked for over 40 years in various capacities, sometimes for myself or in a business partnership, but mostly for others. My passion for books and writing has always been with me, and I am ecstatic to finally be able to indulge in both.

I’m also moving out of Sydney and look forward to a slower life, to have time to smell the roses, spend time with family, as well as new and old connections.

I look forward to taking up new hobbies and restarting old ones. As a keen photographer, I can’t wait to get my camera out and explore new places to capture. And best of all, to write!

Letting Go: The Mixed Emotions of Change

So often, the response to following your dream is ‘Wow, that is exciting , I am so envious.’

But I also want to be honest and share the messy, real picture. Maybe it will resonate with others. Perhaps it will help just one person feel a little less alone in their own mixed emotions.

Despite the excitement and how right this decision feels, there are mixed emotions.

There is both anxiety and sadness around this new chapter.

I have lived in Sydney now for over 25 years, and it feels familiar and safe. I have flown across this city many times for work or holidays, and it has always stirred up emotional feelings. The heart-tugging kind, even bringing tears to my eyes of gratitude. It is a beautiful city in so many ways, but I have changed, and city life no longer sustains me.

The unknown is a little scary. Where will I end up when I move out of Sydney? I know it will be in the Northern Rivers area and will be warmer. But will I make new friends? Will I be lonely?

I have a great support network here in Sydney. Friends, I have raised our kids alongside, and many now grandmothers together. Some have already moved away for a sea change. Now it’s my turn.

My medical support is also here. I’m fairly healthy, but I like being comfortable with my GPs and my dentist. More important my eye specialist is here and it’s comforting to have full trust in someone poking around with your eyes. I am sure I will find new ones, but will they be as good?

Leaving work also means leaving the people I have worked with for many years. Some across two companies. I know I will miss the camaraderie and the social aspect of going to work. Questions around my self-worth have come up. ‘Am I relevant once I finish?’ ‘Will I stop being valuable?’ ‘Will I join the great unseen older women’s group?’

Lately, the uncertainty has played on my mind. I read a post from that resonated with me and made me reflect more deeply on my feelings. Especially this quote.

“There’s value in not knowing. In letting things unfold. In exploring small experiments and noticing what energises us, or what soothes us.”

Ageing Reimagined: Redefining Later Life

Stop Trying to Find Your Purpose

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard it…

Read more

a year ago · 19 likes · 7 comments · Denise Taylor

Despite all the mixed emotions, I AM looking forward to this adventure. To take on challenges, even if scary and sad, is where the growth lies. This yearning for a slower life of writing has been with me since Covid started, and I am finally taking steps to realise the dream. I’m ready to explore and experiment.

Savouring the New Adventure: Slowing Down to Smell the Roses

I have been slowly transitioning towards this over the last 4-5 years by reducing my days and setting myself up to freelance from anywhere. And write my first fiction book, which I launched last November.

My goal was not to be tied down to a workplace but to work when and where it suited me. I had very lofty dreams of moving to Italy to write and work from some idyllic place. Very Live Love Laugh. But the reality is, I love being with my family more and watching my grandkids grow up. So Italy remains a dream. Maybe a retreat to work towards, but not full-time living.

For most of my life, I have always had lots of interests outside work. Though I give work my all when I’m there, it has never been my only all. The happiest and most aligned I have ever been with work was when I worked as an LMT and fitness instructor. I loved helping people get better and improve their lives.

Outside work, I have loved learning new skills and hobbies. This will no doubt make slowing down in a new place a lot easier.

The Power of Creativity: Writing for Myself (and others)

Writing has been part of my life for a long time. Sometimes carthagic, like when losing loved ones or going through my divorce. Writing got my feelings out of my head and helped me process what was happening.

When I divorced and became a single mum, I was looking for Sal2. For a long time, I had been in a relationship and lost part of who I was.

As a mother reading stories to my girls every night, it seemed a natural progression to start writing them myself. I did an online course in writing children’s books and started a story about ‘The Adventures of Wazza the Wombat’ .My girls loved listening to my chapters as they progressed, and I found a new purpose.

But bills had to be paid, and the girls and I moved to Sydney for me to take up a new full-time position. Life in the fast lane commenced. Long commutes and single parenting left little time for writing. Wazza the Wombat never lived to see the day.

The desire to write remained, and I would steal the odd hour late at night to spill my emotions into poetry. Many times I tried starting a new fiction book. My imagination has always been strong, and I’m a dreamer. Ideas would pop into my head, and I would have to put it down on paper. But armed with little writing knowledge, they never came to fruition.

Till 2016, when I again mentioned to my now grown-up girls that I would love to ‘write a book one day’. Their unanimous answer: ‘Stop talking about it, Mum. Just do it!’ , set me on the path to get that novel done. After immersing myself in the writing industry, connecting with writers and doing several courses, I finally got there. The result is Secrets In The Lakes.

https://books2read.com/Sals-books

I have loved every moment of this writing journey so far, and nothing gives me more joy than putting words on a page and having them resonate with readers.

To now be able to do this full-time is immensely exciting and joyful.

The Next Adventure: What Lies Ahead

In July, I will be packing up my home and putting everything in storage till I find my new home.

At the end of July, I will be heading overseas, to Denmark to visit family and do some more research for my current novel in progress.

In September, I will return to house/cat sitting for a friend for 7 weeks.

November is an open book for me to start exploring the Northern Rivers for my new place.

I’m excited to meet new people interested in:

• Books and writing

• Yoga & health

• Photography

• Community gardening

To explore new bookstores for Secrets In The Lakes and browse for new reads.

To explore new cafes perfect for writing in.

To find the best coffees.

To find beautiful beaches or parks to walk in.

More freedom.

New projects for my freelance work.

All at a slower pace. All at my pace.

The hard work up till now has paved the way, and I am grateful for all I have experienced and learnt so far.

I may be filled with mixed emotions, but I am ready - to write, to wander and to embrace this new chapter fully.

Ps I will be sharing more of my journey. Come along

Want to share your thoughts? Let’s keep the conversation going. Drop me a comment or an email!

Leave a comment

Until next time, wishing you many cups of coffee (or whatever is your beverage), creative sparks and gentle wellness.

Thanks for reading and supporting my writing.

Every reader, every heart and every comment is truly appreciated.

Sal xo

Subscribe now

Author of Secrets In The Lakes

If you want to bring a smile to my dial, please donate towards my coffee expense.

We have all been there.

Cats do it all the time! (according to this Unsplash photo under the topic)

The deadline is looming, and the to-do list is growing.

But cleaning the oven or bingeing on a second-rate Netflix series seems so much more enticing and even important.

We do not procrastinate because we are lazy. It’s more complex. A mix of overwhelm, boredom and fear sometimes.

I have been there many times. I’m guilty as charged.

My decision to finish up in my day job was not made overnight. I thought about it for a long time, going over the pros and cons many times, with the same result: I’ll stay in the job a little bit longer and then revisit.

It was a thought on a merry-go-round in my brain. I worked hard. I was not lazy. I was overwhelmed and feared the unknown. When I finally decided and put my notice in, a massive weight lifted off my shoulders. I could breathe again.

Another personal example was updating my will. Most of us put that one off. It’s about our mortality, and that in its own is a topic most avoid. I did it all online over 2 years ago. Just had to nominate an executor. I even checked in with the person I wanted to nominate to make sure they would agree.

Then the almost finished will just sat online forever. I procrastinated with a myriad of reasons. Too busy, launching my book, going overseas, and family commitments. Whatever came to mind. But really, what could be more important than your will? One less thing our family has to worry about when we are no longer here. It should be something we do out of love for them. And yet, we put it off. I finally found the two minutes it took to add the executor details and submit for approval. Within 24 hours, I received the will and now just have to sign it in front of two witnesses. A step I promise will not take another two years to do.

Even writing the first draft of my current WIP. I was procrastinating due to the overwhelm of having to write at least 75000 words. I have now plotted it out and can tackle it one chapter at a time.

So I researched a little about procrastination because it is such a fascinating human characteristic, and I like to learn. It is how we grow.

Why We Procrastinate

According to a Melbourne University Psychology paper, there are two types of procrastinators, but both are associated with our mental mood.

Anxiety-driven

• We fear we lack the skills to do the job

• We feel overwhelmed by the task

Boredom/frustration driven

• We think we need a crisis to perform

• We dream of better lives and hate doing the tasks to get there

Most of us are probably a mix of many of these types

Strategies to Deal With It

• Break down the task into smaller bite-sized tasks

• Use the two-minute rule - if a task takes less than two minutes to finish, then do it straight away.

• Set a timer and focus on the task, then take a short break.

• Change your work environment, maybe take yourself to a cafe and finish the task there.

• Be kind to yourself and don’t judge when you find yourself in the procrastination cycle.

Procrastination is a normal human behaviour.

The aim is not to eliminate it. That would be perfection, and striving for that has its own complications.

The trick is to learn to manage it so it doesn’t hurt our lives. Or stop us from living the lives we desire.

So next time you feel the urge to procrastinate, take a deep breath and ask yourself, ‘What can I do right now?’ Then do that. Often, just starting the task is enough to turn the tide.

What are you procrastinating about right now?

Leave a comment

Thanks for reading and supporting my writing.

Subscribe now

I am super grateful for all subscribers, free or paid.

But if you do decide to upgrade to paid, I promise to do a happy dance in my house.

Maybe if I get enough paid subscribers, I may even put it on a video. Then again, that may be punishment for you.

If you want to bring a smile to my dial, please donate towards my coffee expense.

As some of you already know, my next novel is a women’s fiction set in my native country, Denmark. I’m 22K words into the story, and the research done and photos taken on my trip have been invaluable as inspiration.

This post was written while in Denmark and first posted on Medium in August 2024.

Two weeks ago, I set off for Denmark to visit my family and conduct research for my next novel.

Not sure if it’s me ageing or if Denmark is getting better but in the two weeks I have been here I have felt a strong connection and deep admiration for the country and the people I grew up with.

Maybe I just never saw its beauty when I left as a young 19-year-old eager to explore the world; a world that seemed so much ‘greener’ and so exciting to a girl who had lived most of her life in a small village of about 1500 inhabitants.

I have returned to Denmark every couple of years in the last 16 years, and each time, my love for this place grows. Before that, visits were very rare due to family commitments.

Almost every time my visits have coincided with summer/autumn, the best time of the year if you ask me. The long summer nights and the warmer weather are more my thing. The dark winters left me longing deeply for light and spring as a young girl. When it arrived my life force renewed and everything looked brighter.

I would like to share with you what I have explored and loved so far this time.

NATURE INTEGRATED INTO EVERYDAY LIFE

The Danes love nature and green spaces are everywhere. Flower beds adorn streets and in between building complexes. All for the inhabitants as well as wildlife to enjoy. Biodiversity is popular and you see evidence of it in so many places.

The Danes also like to leave nature to its own device; roads lined with wild berries, fruit trees grow in paddocks and tiny wild flowers grow in abundance. When branches or trees fall in the bush they are left to compost in their own time.

The lakes are plentiful and often accompanied by abundant birdlife, thick bush settings and giant trees only accessible by hikers or dirt bikes.

LOVE OF OLD AND NEW

Visiting various towns for my research has been a real treat. A mixture of old and new but always full of character, well maintained and clean.

The older houses are often in bright colours or painted white. Some are still the older red brick. Most are two storey with steep roofs to allow the snow to fall off in winter. Winding narrow cobble stone streets makes for some fascinating walks when exploring.

Intertwined with the old you often see the modern architecture that the Danes are famous for. Art is a common sight and often displayed in the most unusual places. In Viborg one of the town plazas had a large square filled with curious art pieces and herbs for people to use.

Near Viborg we also visited Hald lake, and enjoyed a picnic on the grounds of what was the old farm setting for the catholic priest before protestants took over in 1500.

Wandering around old places gives you a sense of being part of something much larger than yourself and seeing the new connects you to our life today. Witnessing the thread that runs through us all.

LOVE OF GOOD FOOD

As always, on a holiday I indulged and in Denmark, you can truly indulge.

My first meal when I arrive is a hotdog with all the trimmings. I know it sounds pretty awful, but trust me, the Danish hotdogs are DELICIOUS.

A crisp grilled pork sausage in a fresh bun with a topping of ketchup, mustard, pickled cucumber, crispy onions, and ‘remoulade’ (a mayo-style sauce made from various vegetables).

Seafood, open sandwiches, pickled herrings and, of course, mouthwatering cakes. The Danes know how to present their dishes and it is hard to resist. Especially since I rarely eat Danish dishes in Sydney. On my visits, I don’t hold back. Diet can wait till I return to Sydney.

BOOK RESEARCH

In between spending time with family and old friends, I am getting in some book research for my next novel, a dual-timeline women’s fiction set in four places in Denmark.

So far I have visited two of the towns:

ARHUS - a coastal harbour town on the east coast of Jutland. This will form the past part of my book and setting will be in the 70s. Today Arhus has preserved a lot of its history but is now a modern city with amazing art centres and brilliant architecture.

I love enjoying a coffee in the Latin quarter watching people whiz by on their push bikes. The sound of seagulls creates a relaxed holiday setting even if many of the people around me are going about their everyday tasks.

RIBE — another coastal town, this time on the west coast of Jutland, known for being one of the oldest towns in Denmark.

Town water mills adorn the river running through to the sea, with the centre of town littered with interesting shops set along the cobblestone streets. A huge cathedral and a viking museum are some attractions that bring people to the town.

We walked around town before setting in for a delicious lunch in a popular old inn, its low walls displaying interesting historic pieces.

When I picked Ribe for the opening chapter of my novel, I never realised just how interesting this town is. I just looked at the map and thought it would be a good town for my book. It sure has delivered.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Next week I’m off to a place in Thy which will form the setting most of my novel will take place in.

It’s where my mother was from but I picked it as much because of its raw beauty and the large national forest.

You can read more about Thy here

Can’t wait to check it out.

Hopefully, this gives you a bit of an insight into life in Denmark and the setting of my next novel.

The deadline for the first draft is the end of this July.

Thanks for reading and supporting my writing.

I am super grateful for all subscribers, free or paid.

But if you do decide to upgrade to paid, I promise to do a happy dance in my house.

Maybe if I get enough paid subscribers, I may even put it on a video. Then again, that may actually be punishment for you.

Subscribe now

Leave a comment

If you want to bring a smile to my dial, please donate towards my coffee expense.

It’s a never-ending treadmill this writing thing. A merry-go-round that keeps going.

As a writer, it just never stops. There is no such thing as a day off. Right? I’m sure I’m not the only one. Am I?

Let me explain by a real life example before you answer.

Today I woke up early, eager to get out of bed and join my local community gardeners for a working bee. It had been ages since I was there last. In fact, the last time was around April last year. I missed the camaraderie, the physical work around the garden beds and the tea and chat at the end.

Working around outdoor plants, when you live in an apartment with just veranda plants to tend to, is bliss. I love seeing the bugs and bees bussing around, the frogs in the pond and, yes, I even love the smell of cow manure. Ok, maybe I don’t love it, but there is something really satisfying and grounding about the fresh aromas of nature.

So this morning I lathered myself in bug spray and suntan lotion, dug out my garden gloves, my cap and my water bottle and took off on foot to the gardens. It was only 9am Sunday morning and the neighbourhood was still quiet; the sun beaming down from a bright blue sky promising a hot day.

Only a short walk. I was at the gardens within 5 minutes and was greeted by two beaming women.

‘Hey Sal!! So great to have you back!’

Now if that didn’t set the tone for the morning, nothing would.

Familiar faces joined within minutes and some new ones, too. All friendly women, eager to have a chat and get some work done.

I joined the newbies tour to get an update on what had changed since I was there last. Overall still the same with a few changes to the allotments. A few more raised beds had been set up to allow for people in wheelchairs or for elderly to access easily and be able to enjoy some gardening.

We had one more garden bed to do that morning and I joined the team washing the rocks to layer the bottom of the bed. It was hot and dirty work, and the water from the hose was a welcome relief from the heat.

Another lady joined us and we chatted as we washed the rocks. I remember her from last year as a really kind and friendly woman. She lives close to the gardens and often pops across and checks on the state or does some watering for everyone. She would often bring a large flask of chai tea for everyone over the winter month. Absolutely to die for kind of Chai. She is also the one who sends out messages for everyone with meeting updates, so I have stayed in touch with her the most in my 9 months absence.

With them all being aware of my recent book launch, she seemed keen to talk about writing. And of course I obliged. Never one to not want to talk about my writing or just writing in general. There is an instant connection when two writers meet. Now my day job is in planning, as in stock inventory planning, and I never recall getting excited about meeting another planner. Ok sometimes I do get excited about a good spreadsheet! No kidding, that is a fib!

Anyhow, this lady starts telling me about how she wants to write her memoir. I know many of us, when we get to a certain age, have a desire to leave our legacy for our family to read. I dabble with the idea myself from time to time but till now I prefer to indulge in my blog or my novel writing.

I mentioned to her that I have a couple of writer friends who are in the middle of writing their memoirs and maybe it would be good for her to connect with them. I’m always an advocate for finding your tribe. It helped me so much when I first started writing.

She then starts telling me part of her story and that’s when my writer brain really kicked in and goes into overdrive. It was so fascinating.

She was adopted as a little girl and had no way of finding out about her biological parents. Not till fairly recently when she did the gene test and went online. After many months of searching, she finally connected with her mother’s family in Europe and went to meet them in 2022. Her mother is part Croation and part Italian.

Now this is where my memory goes a bit vague. But I love this bit. Her mother came out of one of the boats from Europe to Australia and her father worked on the boat. They fell in love and her mother ended up pregnant at a very young age and with no means to support the baby, who was adopted out. This was my gardening friend.

As she was telling me this story and about meeting her family, so much better than me retelling it, I had goose bumps and I urged her to write it down.

‘It’s such a beautiful story. I want to write a romance novel about it.’ I said, laughing.

She looked at me with an appreciative smile, happy that someone had found her story captivating, and I could see that my genuine interest had fertilised the writing seed in her.

‘Yes, I do really want to. But I have no idea what to do next. Maybe that’s where I might need your help, with you having just published your own book.’

All I could say was, ‘Absolutely. That story deserves to be heard and read by others.’

I was hooked. So hooked it germinated into this writing session about working non stop. Even when it’s Sunday and we try to enjoy other activities, our writing minds do not stop. Life never stops presenting us with ideas that germinate into stories.

I love the passion that lives in me to write, to let my thoughts and words out on paper and to share with others. To sit surrounded by books and a coffee letting the words form on the page. Even if that means never having a day off. Because writing never feels like work to me. It’s the sustenance that keeps me going.

Now, back to the question in the beginning.

Am I the only one who feels like that?

I think I know the answer, but I am throwing it out there anyhow.

Thank you for reading till the end 🙏💕

If you like my writing, please support me by following and commenting.

If you really want to bring a smile on my dial, donate towards my coffee expense.

If you’re interested in collaborating, please contact me

© Sal Gallaher 2025. All rights reserved.

Cover of my book

It’s official — I’m out. There’s no retracting the words now. It’s all over social media and so many people have read it.

I am a published author!

A lifelong dream has finally become a reality and it still feels surreal. My brain is struggling to process it. One moment I’m on a high, feeling charged and super thrilled, the next I’m questioning what on earth I have done and wondering why I thought anyone would want to read my book.

Thankfully, the reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive, and I hold onto those words of encouragement whenever the emotional rollercoaster takes a dive.

“The novel is filled with rich, layered characters.”

“What truly sets Secrets In The Lakes apart is its ability to mix heart-pounding suspense with emotional depth”

“It’s definitely a page turner!”

“I couldn’t put it down. What a good read. Ill look forward to your next one now.”

The journey began in 2017 when I decided it was time to realise the dream. I joined a local writers’ group and grabbed every opportunity to learn and ‘hone the craft’.

Later that year, I still only had 15K words written with no clear path to finish the first draft. That’s when I discovered NaNoWriMo, a global writing event taking place in November. Writers commit to writing 50K words as a first draft. It sounded daunting, but I went for it. By end of November I had my first draft with 65K words. They were not the best but the bones of the story was there. As the saying goes ‘you cannot edit a blank page’.

So how did I get to finally publish my book? I think four key elements got me there.

Finding Other Writers

Many of us writers are introverts but I do believe joining a bunch of writers is is invaluable. You learn from each other and share struggles and successes. It gives you a chance to talk about writing, books and about your story to people who actually get you. Unless you are lucky enough to already have friends and family that are into writing too, finding a writing group can make a huge difference.

Writing Courses

When you start out you just don’t know what you don’t know. Learn as much as you can about the craft. Writing courses teach you the basic skills to write a story that makes readers want to turn the page. Reading books about writing is also important. My first writing book was Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’. I highly recommend it. It’s a fascinating read, part memoir, part guide, packed with so many gold nuggets of wisdom.

Festivals and Author Events

Attending writing events and author talks is both inspiring and educational. Listening to published authors share their journeys and their learnings gives you both new knowledge and motivation. These events are also a great chance to network and meet your favourite authors, make friends and get inspired to continue writing. Every time I went to an event I would meet someone new and come away super motivated. Who knows, that person you may be chatting to in the que for coffee may be your future agent.

Love the Journey

It’s a hard slug, and the financial rewards are often very modest. Unless you are lucky enough to be the next JK Rowling. The average income for an Australian author is still far below the poverty line. Most writers supplement their writing income with a day job and pursue their passion in their spare time. To continue to find the motivation, writing must be part of who you are, a need inside you to create and also something that fills your well.

By incorporating these four elements in your writing journey you’ll have a strong foundation for turning your dream into reality. With hard work, dedication and a large sprinkling of good luck you may just hold your own published book in your hand one day.

I did, and my book ‘Secrets In The Lakes’ is now available at several digital stores, wherever you buy your books.

Secrets In The Lakes — where love, secrets and danger collide in a small-town mystery romance.

Here is the link for anyone interested.

Secrets In The Lakes

Please help spread the word, tell your friends and tell them to tell their friends.

Let’s make sure Reece Witherspoon hears about Secrets In The Lakes :-)

Thank you for reading till the end 🙏💕

If you like my writing, please support me by following and commenting.

Subscribe now

If you really want to bring a smile on my dial, donate towards my coffee expense.

If you’re interested in collaborating, please contact me

© Sal Gallaher 2024. All rights reserved.