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Putting pen to paper or in our current world of ever evolving technology, as we tap the keys of our keyboards descriptive words fill the space on a blank page.

For the Australian born and bred Chris Morphew the ability to create thought evoking page-turners for a living started with two words—Zac Power.

Having to write under a faux name “H.I. Larry,” Morphew penned 12 out of the 50 books in the Zac Power.

“It’s a massive gift to even do this,” said Morphew. “Writing under a pseudonym generated some bizarre-o situations. I’d see 12-year-old boys in bookstores looking at Zac Power and I’d overhear them say ‘wouldn’t it be cool to meet the author?’ I’d have to leave the store immediately because I couldn’t tell them it was me.”

Completing the last leg of his American book tour Morphew stopped by Leeds High School (LHS) to talk to the entire student body about his latest six book series—The Phoenix Files.

The Phoenix Files chronicles three teenagers as they learn they’re only 100 days left until the end of the world.

“I think end of the world stories are really interesting,” said Morphew. “Finding the answers and discovering what happens when people try to take things in their own hands. It really opens one’s mind.”

Also a teacher at Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC) where he resides in Sydney, Morphew says one of his favorite characters to write about is a strong female.

“I like to show girls that they are complete people on their own and can be heroic by themselves,” said Morphew. “They don’t need a man for that.”

Delivering tips as to how LHS students can sharpen their writing skills, Morphew gave some poignant advice.

His top three tips were: 1.) Write down your ideas. 2.) Write what you’d want to read. 3.) Know where you’re going (in other words…have a plan).

“I’d rather write down 10 or 100 bad ideas to capture that one good one,” Morphew said. “When you’re excited about what you’re writing you’ll get readers.”

Morphew is planning ahead as he prepares to co-write a book with his mentor Rowan McAuley and two other writers.

Morphew’s also busy composing an “alien invasion done zombie apocalypse style,” type book.

Telling his captive crowd he’s 18,000 words in, but re-writes are in order.

Having finished The Phoenix Files a year ago now, Morphew describes the experience of having the honor of being an author as “the inspiration comes through the perspiration.”