Maplecroft
Lately, I have been reflecting on the ways becoming an indie author has created opportunities and experiences that I might otherwise never have had.
Seeing my debut novel, Maplecroft, on the shelf brings about a feeling that never gets old. It is absolutely thrilling to see my book in the company of books and authors I adore and I am forever grateful for the support of independent bookstores, particularly my local bookshop, Need 2 Read in Warragul.
Speaking at events. This weekend I will be speaking at a local Gippsland library, Drouin Library, and am so excited to be out in community, talking about my novel. When you spend so (SO!) many hours working on a book, it is a distant dream to imagine holding the end result in your hands; sharing it with readers and writers who show up just to hear you speak!
Being contacted for interviews. Last week, I also took part in a brief radio interview with local journalist, Paul Strickland, to be featured on 103.1 FM West Gippsland radio, 3BBR. This was a brief chat to promote my upcoming library event but was also a wonderful reminder of ‘Oh, hey, I did that! I published my book!’ (I have included a recording of this chat in this post).
Writing Updates
‘In the cracks of time’ I have been working (and reworking) on my next book and while life is full, and I’m not prepared to rush my book, I am finding so much joy in working away at the thing I love the most. So, as a reminder to all writers, whether your window of time to write is big or small, the important thing is to keep going — if only for the feeling you get from writing.
Reading Updates
Over the summer holidays, a book I read and particularly enjoyed was Trespasses by Louise Kennedy. So authentically Irish, I loved it for its strong sense of voice and for the easy flow of the dialogue. Forbidden love, set against the violence of The Troubles in Ireland. The book had a sense of playfulness and freedom about it (brought about by the love story) juxtaposed with a sense of foreboding.
This book was hard hitting and, for me, it brought to mind some other examples of books (that I loved and have long thought of!) that contained such defining and unexpected moments: Devotion by Hannah Kent and One Day by David Nicholls. It is such an absorbing (and often heartbreaking) feeling to be taken by surprise so completely.
I am looking forward to carving out some time and space to share more bite-sized creative writing lessons based on the books I am reading and the ample inspiration I find in them. But, for now, let me just say that if you a writer, reading must form an essential part of your practice.
Share…
What have you been reading lately? What aspects of writing do you want to learn how to master?
Do you have your copy of Maplecroft yet?
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