Freddie Gillies - Politics and International Relations graduate

“I chose a Bachelor of Arts because I loved the subject matter. History has always fascinated me because, in its simplest form, it’s storytelling. It also helps us understand the present.   

“My Arts degree set me up to write books and I feel well-equipped from my majors of Politics and International Relations and History. Critical thinking is invaluable – it enables empathy, which is crucial when building fictional characters. 

"I spend a lot of time reading my favourite authors, who are always great inspirations. I’m so proud of the books I’ve released, and nothing gives me more purpose than writing.

“Writing fiction is making sense of real life. If I’ve had a stressful day or week, nothing is better than sitting down and writing a few pages; I enjoy the therapy of it all. The feeling of progress is fantastic as you see a manuscript slowly take shape. Printing it off for the first time for the editing process is a significant step, too; it’s nice to see it in physical form. The best part is seeing the cover design for the first time. That’s when it really starts to come to life.   

“If you want to start writing, why not start with short stories? If you want to travel the world, start planning that trip. If you want to do something creative or adventurous, start working on it now!”