HELICOPTERS, SHEEP, THREE-LEGGED DOGS AND THE MOVIE "PAPERBACK HERO": a behind-the-page look at the inspiration behind Down the Track by Stella Quinn
I should have included country pubs in that list ...
[Image credits Canva, all images purchased. A Yindi Creek scene. (Check out the bottom right hand corner for a gander at Possum, the three-legged rescue dog, who totally stole my heart.)]
Who hasn’t seen the 1999 movie Paperback Hero? Do yourself a favour. Hugh Jackman in a navy singlet, channeling more Wolverine than Peter Allen, in a navy singlet … need I say more? He plays an outback truckie who dreams of making it big as a romance novelist.
Hugh (and that singlet) were my inspiration for Gavin “Hux” Huxtable, main male character in my new novel Down the Track, who runs a helicopter muster business with his mate Charlie in the small outback town of Yindi Creek in Western Queensland, but who has made it big (in secret!) as a crime novelist. Matthew Reilly big. Jane Harper big. BIG.
Hux was dumped by the love of his life fifteen years ago, and he’s been carrying the wound with him ever since. In fact, he’s turned that wound into a backstory for the fictitious star of his Clueless Jones detective series, Tyson. Hux is clinging to that heartbreak the way a dag clings to a sheep’s butt, and he reckons neither he (nor his main character Tyson) are cut out for a happy ending.
But then Jo turns up back in Yindi Creek. The very same Jo who dumped him all those years ago. She’s a paleontologist (a dinosaur fossil hunter) and she’s in a Very Bad Way Indeed. Broke, divorced, at war with her son, facing humiliation at work when her contract isn’t renewed … but still (to Hux) just as lovely as the day she broke his heart. My inspiration for Jo came from a short story I wrote five or six years ago, and I had a lot of fun fleshing her out by visiting the laboratory workers at the Age of Dinosaur Museum in Winton and asking endless questions.
The helicopter pilot angle was inspired by my neighbour’s kid, who is a muster pilot up north (as far north in Qld as you can fly before hitting PNG airspace).
My trip out to Winton inspired more than just a backstory for my main female character Jo. I spent time in Longreach and Winton and walked the streets photographing pubs, the cemetery in Longreach, the excellent museums, the Federation style buildings which line the streets, the “back in February” signs stuck to the opal shop doors … I pulled over on the long, flat, dusty Matilda Way and tromped about in paddocks photographing water troughs and sheep and gidgee trees and even (I thought it was a baby emu but let’s not dwell on my ignorance!) a bustard taking flight.
[The picture isn’t very clear - it was a selfie - but the one with me in it is at the “Today’s Fly Level” sign at the Age of Dinosaurs Museum on the jump up just south of Winton. You’ll note it was “very high” that day.]
One of the most fun elements to create for Down the Track was the Yindi Creek Hotel. I based the interior of it on the Gregory Hotel in Winton, and the exterior of it on the pub across the road (I had a beer in each). I would have liked to have had a beer in the Winton Hotel too, but it was closed for the summer when I visited. I made my own beer coasters as little promo gifts to give away which was also fun! A pic below:
Down the Track has been out for a month already (if my maths is right) and readers are sending me in some fabulous reviews, because the story isn;t just about sheep and pubs. We dig a lot deeper than that into family trauma, forgiveness, courage, determination … and of course a Stella Quinn book is always going to end in a heartwarming way. Here are a few of them:
Some book reviews for the fence sitters :)
Down the Track is the story of Jo and Hux as they are thrown back together and sparks will definitely fly! I loved exploring the outback in this true blue Aussie based novel. I am not usually a fan of archaeology but this is written in such a way to make it fun. The cover of the book instantly grabbed my attention because I love dogs and the colour of the sky is stunning. The plot is chock block full of intrigue, mystery and romance all woven together to make the perfect outback Australia book. I feel like this book is slightly different to the authors usual writing but it is just as good!
LD, Amazon
This book is different to the author’s previous novel, A Home Among the Snow Gums, I devoured them both and I really liked the mystery element to this narrative, the diverse mixture of characters, the possible links to off shore crime in Queensland and well written plot.
My favourite characters were, Jo and Hux, Sal and her stressed out husband Charlie, Maggie the publican, Dot and Ethel, Jo’s son Luke, Possum the three legged dog and writer Gavin Gunn. A hilarious, fascinating and drama filled read. Hux is a hunk and good guy, and who would've thought ancient life, fossils and how sediment forms would be so interesting. With sizzling chemistry, past history, hunting for clues, the possibility of romance and it makes for a five starKarren's Reading Nook, Amazon // Karren Sandercock on Goodreads
Stella Quinn has written another witty fun and thoroughly enjoyable rural romance, this one is a busy story with lots going on, dinosaur bones, missing men, relationships between families and such wonderful characters that added so much to the story, there were many laughs and smiles reading this one as I cheered Hux and Jo through an up and down journey to happiness.
I would highly recommend this one any lover of a good rural romance.
Helen, Goodreads
Meticulously researched, quintessentially Australian, loveable characters and a cute dog, Stella has delivered another knockout rural romance. She has perfectly captured the heat and dust of the Qld outback. It’s the perfect setting for a little mystery and romance. Love reading romance/women’s fiction with rich, deep plots. Highly recommend.
Leanne Lovegrove, goodreads
Stella Quinn perfectly captures what outback Australia is all about in this feel-good rural romance!
Em Keilar, Goodreads
Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Memorable and delightful characters anchor interest and act as an investment to the overall narrative.
In the opening pages we meet Ethel and Dot and the scene that unfolds is truly delightful with the aged sisters.
Paving the way for a great read...Alongside other larger than life townsfolk, an adorable three legged dog and the expansive Australian outback will satisfy every sense.
A tapestry of landscape, characters, back stories and a thread of mystery ensure the reader gets a complete and heartwarming experience.
Stella always delivers and her work is eagerly devoured.Craig/ Phil, Goodreads
And here’s the link to reviews from Better Reading … it takes a while to load … be patient :) BETTER READINGS REVIEWS
You can buy Down the Track in print, ebook and audio. Print books are in places liek target, Kmart and Big W, Dymocks and QBD, and in their online catalogues. Ebooks are available everywhere you stock your ereader (ibooks, kobo, kindle etc) and same with the audiobooks. Libraries have copies of all 3 formats, and I’ve seen it on Borrowbox (just a little queue ahead of you).
Here’s the Harper Collins link which has links to all sorts of vendors.
Until next time,