On Being a Late Bloomer
I experienced a little bit of angst on turning sixty earlier this year. It’s such a landmark age. However, I also experienced much happiness knowing that my debut novel, The Last of the Apple Blossom, would be published this year. Another landmark.
My main emotion on landing a publishing contract was relief. It’s been a long road. The Last of the Apple Blossom is the fourth novel I’ve written. There’s been a lot of rejection along the way. Not so long ago I cried on a friend’s shoulder saying, ‘Why have I chosen a life of rejection? I’ve been an actor – rejection! A singer/songwriter – rejection! And now a writer – rejection, rejection, rejection!’
She gently reminded me that, up until this dramatic outburst, I’d always said I lived a life of creative adventure – following my passions and dreams – and that I’d had an amazing life. It’s true. My life has been full of excitement, joy and wonder. But it doesn’t mean it’s been easy. No matter what creative pursuit you chose, there’s always going to be hard work, long hours of pure slog and many, many doors that close.
In interviews many writers say they’d wanted to be a writer from a very young age. Not me. I wanted to be an archaeologist, then I wanted to be a bass player, then I wanted to be an actor, then I wanted to be a singer/songwriter, and then I wanted to be a music director and radio presenter. I’ve been all of those things (except the archaeologist) and it wasn’t until I was in my 40s that the thought of being a writer even entered my mind.
I’d returned from a trip to the USA with twelve very blurry photos taken on an instamatic camera. (This was in the days before phones were cameras, yes I’m that old!) A colleague said, ‘Clearly photography is not your thing. Maybe you could write about your trip instead.’ So, I did. He loved it and told the news editor of the local paper that I should write a column for them. For four years I wrote a column every week, met my deadlines and got paid. It was my gateway drug. I was hooked. I started writing longer pieces and began attending writing courses and workshops. I saved my money, took six months leave without pay and wrote a novel. That novel will never see the light of day but the memoir I penned after that, Sex, Drugs and Meditation, was picked up by Pan Macmillan in 2013. (I was 52 years old.)
I wrote two more novels. Rejection. By this stage I’d spent so much money on writing – masterclasses, workshops, manuscript assessments, research – that I swore I wouldn’t spend one more cent. But then the idea for The Last of the Apple Blossom came roaring at me, almost knocking me over with its intensity. Perhaps it was the experience of completing those three unpublished novels or the little wisdom I had garnered through the years, but after four drafts I knew this book was special. I decided to spend some more money on my writing. A mentorship through the ASA with Monica McInerny was the best investment I could have made.
And now, at the age of 60, I’m a debut novelist. A late bloomer indeed, and proudly so.
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A COPY OF THE LAST OF THE APPLE BLOSSOM IS UP FOR GRABS!
*** What’s your secret - or not so secret - dream? A passion you’d love to pursue, and why?***
Tell us in the comments below and you’ll be in the running to win a print copy of The Last of the Apple Blossom. Mary Lou will choose the winner who will be announced on Wednesday August 11 at 6pm.
Open to Australian residents only. Run by Pamela cook for Writes4Women
Thanks to Harlequin/Harper Collins Australia for this giveaway copy of Mary’s book.