MY INTERVIEW WITH MERRYN

Writer Wednesday interview, April 2021

https://www.merryn.org/books/2021/4/7/writer-wednesday-interview-with-susan-harpham 

Please tell us about yourself; when did you first become interested in writing?

I have always had a vivid imagination and written poems and stories from being a little girl but I was very shy and perhaps a little afraid that I would be laughed at, so for a long time kept my writing to myself.  When I was young I didn't actually recognise that by harnessing my imagination I could write down my thoughts, to create stories. I did it instinctively and understood that it had a huge calming effect on me, as did writing a diary, and there's no doubt it has contributed much to my mental well-being, though this is something I have only recently admitted to myself and come to understand.  I don't know why I waited so long to write a book as it is something that I've always wanted to do and I do think I used the pressures of life to keep putting it off.  I'm just really glad now that I found the courage to do so as it's definitely given me confidence to be more open about my writing.  It's a journey I'm so glad to have made.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

The first story I ever wrote was when I was 17.  It's called The View Below and is about an old man who has lived on top of a mountain his entire life.  Even though now he is blind and can't see the wonderful view below, he doesn't need his eyes to imagine it, as it is indelibly etched on his memory and so he is content to sit and contemplate.  However, the view is not everything he has remembered.  It is a reflection on feelings perceived and real, and takes the reader on a journey of what has passed.

What genre/genres do your books fall under?

I have always loved historical fiction but romantic/comedy is a favourite too.  My book has elements of all three.  It is set in Africa which is an ancient continent.  I chose the location because it does have a colourful history going back centuries, which I have used, I hope, to good effect, as I can call on real life events to weave around my fictional tale.  However, I hope the reader enjoys the romantic/comedy that runs throughout.  There are some agonising moments but I wanted to convey my belief that true friendship is powerful enough to overcome any grief.  I hope it can be seen as a positive story.  It is difficult to know whether it would fall exclusively under Historical, Romantic or Comedy - because it does have hints of all.

What is your latest book called, what is it about and what was the inspiration behind the book?

The book is called, 'Where is Tommy'.  I have always had a fascination with time travel which some would say is fantasy but for me the possibilities have always had the power of conveying hope over despair on events in people's lives.  This book is about an English nurse who accepts an offer to work voluntarily in Africa.  Whilst there an unknown force of nature sends her back in time to 1933 where she meets and falls in love with a young anthropologist.  Their adventure has only just begun however when they are both transported back to a time where Homo erectus still roams the world.  After two years during which time their son Tommy is born, in a desperate attempt to return home she risks their lives together with devastating consequences.  Will she find the courage to put aside her heartache and take the first hesitant steps to salvation.

Besides your current book, do you have any new projects coming up?

I have just written a short story and submitted it into a competition.  Despite writing many stories (and poems) for myself, for English projects, writing workshops and anthologies, it is the first time I have ever entered anything so public, which I iknow will be scrutinised but I am ready now, I feel to begin to share my work.

Where can people find your books?

This book can currently be found on Amazon and Waterstones' websites.  Some advertising companies have kindly issued a press release and a copy can be found in some libraries though I cannot say with certainty how many.

What has been the greatest moment in your writing career?

The greatest moment has to be when I self-published this book in June 2020, a project I'd been working on properly for ten years.  It was a little scary putting it out in the world but I have sold some copies and I'm reassured that the few reviews are positive.

Besides writing, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your spare time?

I have always enjoyed travelling both in the UK and Europe.  I enjoyed learning languages when I was younger and for awhile was a member of a French circle which was lots of fun.  I enjoy cooking too but my greatest passion has always been writing and through lockdown in 2020 especially, I have been inspired to write about nature and how the seasons affect us all, especially when our normal lives are so curtailed.

Which novelists do you admire?

One of my favourite authors is David Gemmell, who writes fantasy but his human characters have always been inspirational.  If you can get over the fact that they are set in an alternative world, you would recognise people from all walks of life in our own.  Additionally I have enjoyed immensely the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley which has been quite exceptional though I haven't yet read any of her other books.  Other favourites are Lindsey Davis, Victoria Hislop and Val McDermid.  It's quite an eclectic list.

What has been the best piece of writing advice you've received?

I once wrote a poem within the confines of a writing club.  It was commented on that though good, it needed 'tightening'.  I learnt that what they meant by this was that I was sometimes prone to say too much and the challenge here was to say the same, but in fewer words.  I rewrote the poem and could see immediately how much better it was.  I learnt a lot from that lesson and believe my writing is now more precise and relevant.  It is a work in progress.

Do you have any tips or advice for other indie authors?

The only advice I could offer is to have faith in yourself.  You cannot please everyone but what you can do is please yourself and there's no doubt you will find your own readership; those like minded people who enjoy your writing because it is you.

 

WHERE IS TOMMY

Introduction

I first had the idea of writing 'Where is Tommy?' thirty years ago. I was young and though I wrote the sketch of the story, it was merely two pages long and I abandoned it, simply because life got in the way. When I did pick it up again it seemed a huge task but the seed of a story was there and I wanted to develop it. The main difficulty was always; where on earth would I find a location, perfect for a nurse to work and for an anthropologist to dig; and yet I found that place in Arusha, Tanzania. My journey through that region has been a revelation. 

I discovered that organisations place electives in locations throughout the world, including Arusha at one time, and I hope that my descriptions do justice to the obvious hard work being done by those young people. I didn't realise that Louis and Mary Leakey excavated and found significant bones in the *Olduvai Gorge and today this is well documented. Their work is still ongoing by teams throughout that whole region. The fact that the area around *Olduvai seemed commonly called 'The Cradle of Mankind' was perfect. The Momella events that took place in the nineteenth century were a surprise and fitted beautifully into the time frame. 

The Arusha Hotel does exist but I cannot confirm that there was indeed a bar there called the Hatari though of course the film was indeed set in Arusha. 

Coincidentally other occurrences took place during the time period too, including the Arusha Accords and the Germans' colonisation of the area and ultimately it was easy to expand my story to include so many other interesting affairs. 

If I'd been producing a play, all the props that would be needed, were readily waiting to be part of a back drop in the story of Marie and Robert. 

What I hadn't anticipated was the part Mount Meru would play, nor the lives of the tribes and the ancient people who once lived in the area. Some readers may think that the coincidences regarding these people are just too many. It is true that I have used poetic licence to bring some historical coincidences together but it is not inconceivable, especially because some of the events happened so very long ago, that these occurrences did take place in this region and I hope you understand me wanting to include them in this story. 

I am a fan of the TV programme about Midwives in the 1960s and would like to acknowledge that the compassion, kindness and professionalism that have always had me in laughter and tears, have I think influenced the character of Marie. She is all of these things, as well as strong, but like many, perhaps when tragedy strikes and darkness engulfs the soul, it is love and friendship that ultimately saves us all from the despair that life can sometimes bring. I hope you read and enjoy the story.

WHERE IS TOMMY

In August 1993, Marie 'Ocean' McKenzie accepts an offer to work voluntarily at the Mount Meru Hospital in Arusha.

However, whilst there, an unknown force of nature sends her back in time to Arusha 1993 where she meets and falls in love with a young anthropologist, who has been working in an ancient gorge nearby.  Their adventure however has only just begun, when they are both transported back to a time where Homo erectus still roams the world.  After two years, during which their son Tommy is born, in a desperate attempt to return home, Marie risks their lives together with devastating consequences.

Separated from her family, her mental condition becomes increasingly fragile and in her weakened state she spurns friendship with the only man who knows what happened to her son, simply because his relationship with Tommy's father is as emotional as hers.

Will she find the courage to put aside her heartache and take the first hesitant steps to salvation?