Briefly tell us about your book.
Vivienne George, runaway society bride, has fled Sydney for Far North Queensland, to hide out in a lonely, gothic lodge set in the rainforest around Lake Evelyn. In the nearby town of Barrington, the plucky Josie Monash – dairy farmer’s daughter and local theatre director – has set out to solve a mysterious ‘curse’ behind the drowning deaths of local women, by staging a controversial new play. Through their warm friendship and collaboration, the young women will expose secrets, discover love, and find courage in deep waters.
What was the most challenging part of writing this book?
I began writing my second novel during lockdown, while my four children were learning at home, all sitting around the kitchen table with me. I was also in the throes of editing my first novel for publication at the same time. It was a challenging undertaking, and I sometimes wonder how I managed to pull it off. My first novel was written over a decade, whenever I could steal time, or find the inspiration for it. My second novel was delivered in a year, and I determinedly scavenged every spare minute I could to achieve my dream. I had solid weeks locked away in my bedroom, only emerging to be fed, watered and taken out for a run. There were all-nighters pulled, many cricked necks, frequently miffed children, an abominably messy house, more coffee than my body seems able to handle, and far less pink gin than I’d like.
How did you think of the title of the book?
Oh, I had such trouble settling on a title! I don’t become attached to titles in the early stages, because I know they can and do change as the manuscript grows up into a novel. During the first draft, my working title was ‘Her Last Star’ but I went through several titles during later drafts, including ‘The Legend of Celeste Starr’. My agent and I spent several days throwing titles around, trying to find the perfect one. In the end, we entrusted the final choice to my beautiful publisher, and The Girls of Lake Evelyn was born! I was so chuffed with how the title evokes the mystery in the story, while placing the magnificent setting – a volcanic crater lake – front and centre. And, more symbolically, my novel is about two brave ‘girls’ shrugging off girlhood to go after their own happiness. (Side note: as a reader, I had always disliked ‘Girls’ in titles, so I got quite a giggle out of that irony! Talk about eating my own words.)
Do you write about people you know? Or yourself?
Write about, no. But draw from – absolutely yes! All my strong, spirited heroines, in both of my novels, embody key aspects of myself, and my experiences as a woman. Similarly, my most beloved secondary characters exemplify traits, habits and characteristics of people I love dearly. (I won’t reveal whether my antagonists ever borrow from real life.) In The Girls of Lake Evelyn, many of my characters are blessed with attributes I adore in other people. This is a novel full of nods to my small town, dairy farming childhood, and especially to my four wonderful grandparents. My story’s heart belongs to my grandies.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring writers, what would it be?
In a world where distraction and busyness gobble up precious time and energy, diligently protect your opportunities to simply ‘while away the hours’. Writing a novel isn’t just sitting in front of a keyboard hammering away but also periods of daydreaming and introspection, walks in nature to unknot a plot tangle, meditation and journaling to clear the heart and mind. The imagination needs time to play, the well of inspiration must be refilled. I’ve learned the hard way that running myself ragged in daily life leaves me depleted, blocked and uninspired when I sit down to write. To while away the hours, can seem an indulgent act in modern life, but it’s actually essential for the free flow of creativity. It’s pretty good for vibrant wellbeing too – and we all deserve more of that!
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