Always Live The Adventure

How many times have you picked up a book and got hooked on the adventure or intrigue on the front or rear cover of a tome?

Ever really wondered if the author actually has been involved in the exploits he sets his characters in or just has a good imagination and research skills?

I'm one of those authors who has had a rich life full of adventure and intrigue because of my lifestyle. As a teenager I wanted to do something different rather than live my life around sport like the weekend football. Instead, I found a love for the Australian bush and harsh environment.

I became challenged as I undertook basic bushwalking around the various National Parks. This was a great way to learn how to read maps, pitch tents and know how to get out of emergency situations. Eventually this escalated to the serious push to walk in the dangerous Blue Mountains where the pace and danger escalated.

On the way, I learnt to abseil and do basic rock climbing. These were skills which I needed to help me undertake the more exciting caving and canyoning. If you need an adrenalin rush, these are sports that will quickly give it to you. However, they are fraught with danger and must be seriously respected. My biggest abseil was the height of a 25-storey building down a huge open sink hole. Getting out was very hard as I climbed the tiny metal ladder and pulled it up after me.

Other challenges were needed by me sports-wise and I took up scub diving to enjoy a whole new way of enjoying the ocean and the experience has ben nothing but breath taking. Playing with fish and seeing the beautiful coral colours.

In my career I became a newspaper Journalist where I wrote news stories on crime, features and specialist columns. I ran Venturer Units for boys aged 14 to 18 for more than 35 years and helped take them to new heights of adventure within themselves. I found time to also be part of the local State Emergency Service, Bushfire Brigade and Army Reserve - all at the same time.

All these real life adventures helped build a wealth of stories inside me that I wanted to publish so I could challenge teens to read more and enjoy the outdoors.

My maxim has always been: 'Always Live The Adventure'. I used this to write my trilogy aimed specifically at youth in Scouting and Girl Guides. These books were Only The Brave Dare, Canyon and A Rite Of Passage.

I developed a second maxim when I began to write my afterlife series with my first book, Finding Thomas. The maxim I use for this series is: 'Listen to your inner self.'

Without having lived the adventure and seen, smelt, felt and experienced what my characters do I believe I couldn't put the realism into the books that I have.

If you are looking for books of adventure with real life characters and places that highlight Australia, then pick up a copy of my books - you'll love them.

Check out my web site at www.christopherholcroft.net for details

Christopher