Author Jaclyn Moriarty’s scenic walks help cure her writer’s block

Author Jaclyn Moriarty loves to take long walks in her neighbourhood of Neutral Bay and its surrounding suburbs to help clear her head.

Author Jaclyn Moriarty at Neutral Bay. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

When author Jaclyn Moriarty gets writer’s block she goes for a walk. Fortunately for her readers there is plenty of inspiration to be found in her beautiful harbourside neighbourhood.

Her latest book, The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere, is a fantasy for young readers inspired by the adventures of her own skateboard loving son.

Early riser or Saturday sleep-in?

I wake around 7am and smile at the clock because it’s Saturday and I can sleep in. Then I fall asleep and wake at 7.30am and smile at the clock because it’s Saturday and I can sleep in. It starts all over again. Eventually, I get up around 10.30am, exhausted.

Best place to go to catch up with friends?

Jaclyn Moriarty loves to take long walks. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Flying Bear Cafe – casual outdoor dining in the sun, right on the water, with delicious pastries.

Favourite park?

Milson Park in Kirribilli where there’s lots of green space to run and kick balls, palm trees, picnic tables, a playground and a water view (plus you can get takeaway coffee from the Flying Bear Cafe).

Local coffee haunt?

Coco Chocolate Kirribilli for hot chocolate or Oski next door for coffee.

Best spot for date night?

My partner lives on the northern beaches and our favourite spot is Jah Bar on Dee Why Beach: great tapas, music and atmosphere with an ocean view. In my neighbourhood, we also like The Botanist in Kirribilli and the Italian Street Kitchen in Neutral Bay.

Favourite takeaway?

My 15-year-old son’s favourite is the spaghetti bolognese at the Kirribilli Village Cafe & Ristorante, or sushi from Wasabi Plus. My own favourites are Fratelli’s Wood Fired Pizza, Cremorne, or Tata Thai in Neutral Bay.

Moriarty enjoys a bike ride around Narrabeen Lagoon. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Where and when do you exercise?

I get most of my writing ideas while walking – especially if I can see water. I usually walk over the Harbour Bridge and back again then down to Luna Park and around the harbour. For more extreme writer’s block, I walk to Balmoral Beach and up Awaba St, often backwards so I can keep looking at the water/not see how steep the hill is ahead of me.

Best hidden treasure in NSW?

In January, we stayed at Mystery Bay Cottages in Narooma: birds, wallabies, boogie boarding, beach and bush walks, and cheese and chocolate shops in nearby Tilba Tilba.

What’s your perfect Saturday?

Ideally, there’d be a big family event planned with my mum, and all my sisters and their partners and kids. If not, a walk to Cremorne Point for a picnic, or a bike ride around the Narrabeen Lagoon. In the evening, maybe fish and chips at Balmoral, or pizza and music at home.

The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere, by Jaclyn Moriarty, published by Allen & Unwin, is out now