What it is about words, books and writing that you love?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love reading and words. I grew up in a house of big readers and an entire wall in our lounge room that was dedicated to books, so reading has always been something I’ve enjoyed. I guess there’s two different aspects of the things I love. As a reader I love to be transported to places and times and falling in love with the characters, and as a writer, I love creating those worlds and putting my characters through hell before they achieve whatever it is they are after. I’m a planster writer (plotter and planster) I usually know how a book will start and end but the rest in between? I find out as I go, and that is a thrill and a joy.
Tell us about your published books, including the new one, Easter Promises.
I have been publishing books and novellas since 2016 and this year is the most exciting to date. I have my novella The Hunt for Scarlett O’Hara coming out in paperback as a new and longer version of the ebook. The story follows the Hollywood legend of how Scarlett O’Hara was cast and this edition looks at Vivien Leigh’s version of events as well. Easter Promises is out now and I have written it with fellow historical authors Ava January, Sarah Fiddelaers and Nancy Cunningham. The anthology follows four remarkable women throughout the 20th century from 1912 to 1946, from Australia to France to Hollywood, all around events that happened at Easter or around the themes of Easter.
My story Eos follows Rosamund Winter, a film actress and darling of the Warner Brothers film lot in the 1940s. When the US enter World War Two, Rosamund wants to put her skills as a pilot to good use and become a WASP – Women’s Airforce Service Pilot – but she must find a way to achieve her dreams in a man’s world. The four remarkable women in these stories will stay with you.
Where do you draw inspiration for your novels from?
Everywhere and anywhere. Sometimes it’s just an idea, or I’ll hear something in a podcast and it will get me thinking or I’ll visit an old homestead or museum and get an idea from there. I once was talking to a customer at a former job, and they were telling me about a house their friend lived in that was near where I lived. While they were talking I jotted down on a post it note the story and the question, what would that feel like? I then got a whole idea for a novel from that one question.
Is there an average day in your life, and if so, what is it?
Ha! The simple answer is no, not at the moment. I’m the mum of two boys aged two and four and every day is different with them. Nowadays I do most of my writing at night once they’ve gone to bed and steal any snippets I can during the day. The day begins with me getting up before everyone else and exercising. I’ve found I’m much calmer if I wake up on my own terms and not that of a small child’s demands! (This of course is not always possible) I then go through the daily return of feeding them, the fight to get them dressed and out the door by a certain time, kinder drop offs and pick ups, swimming lessons and other mum stuff and then start all over again! I hand over to my husband once he’s finished work and then my work shift begins. I’m a bit of a nanna and because I get up early I like to be in bed by 9 to read for an hour before lights out at 10. Please note all of this goes out the window if I’m on deadline!
What advice do you have for emerging writers, wanting to make a career out of their craft?
I know some people may not agree with this, but treat it like a job. If you’re serious about it you won’t let anything get in the way of your writing. Block out time in your diary like you would any other appointment and stick to it, don’t wait for inspiration to strike. In reality you don’t need the right candle or the right notebook, you just need your idea and a laptop/notebook to put that idea into. Also, if possible, connect with like-minded people. Join an organisation or put out an ad asking if other writers want to meet up. Feeding off the energy and excitement of others will inspire you and keep you motivated.
Where are your favourite places in Australia to travel to, eat at and enjoy?
I grew up in the Dandenong Ranges and still think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world, if you haven’t been I highly recommend you go. Autumn is may favourite season and I love nothing more than going for a drive up into the hills as the trees change from green to oranges and reds. I also love the Great Ocean Road, in particular Port Campbell and Warrnambool and the Otway Ranges; so much history and many good wineries and places to eat.
What does being Australian mean to you?
I do not take it for granted that I was lucky enough to be born here, I am very aware of how lucky I am. Until I went overseas I never understood when people said we were so easy going, but then I saw that we really are. I think that’s slowly changing, and it’s sad, but our pace of life, and the fact that we have so much open space makes us lucky. I also love that we always root for the underdog. I was never more prouder to be an Australian than watching how we all banded together to help those affected by the bushfires. We may not always get along, but we’re tough and I think it’s ingrained in our psyche to help those that need it.
To find out more about Easter Promises, and Clare Griffin, please click here.
Onya Magazine has a copy of Easter Promises to giveaway. To be in with a chance to win, simply email info@onyamagazine.com with the subject line ‘EASTER PROMISES’ and place your full name and postal address in the body of the email.
The winner will be selected at random and notified via email on Friday May 1, 2020.
