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by Christine Fieldhouse For almost as long as I have wanted to write a book, those words have rung in my ears, but never more so after 2000 when, within the space of four months, I became a mum for the first time and I lost my own mum. Going through two such major events in such quick succession made me reflect on my own childhood with my alcoholic father, whose unpredictable mood swings and verbal abuse terrorised me until my late teens. As I cleared out my mum’s home after her death, I looked for notes she might have left, to provide an insight into how she found the mental strength to cope with her life with my dad until they divorced. It was when I found virtually nothing new that I decided to start writing about my childhood and our son Jack’s, so that one day, when he was clearing my things out, he would find my scribblings in a drawer and sit and have a read.  But bear in mind I have been a journalist for almost 25 years and the journalist in me always wanted to have a book published. As Jack grew into a toddler and asked questions about my childhood, I realised the sheer contrast between his (hopefully) happy times with me and my husband Ian, and my childhood, marred by my dad’s rantings. I’d read some of the misery titles, but some like The Little Prisoner were so shocking I couldn’t finish them. I knew I couldn’t compete in that league, nor would I ever want to, but I realised there was a book to be written about surviving abuse and being happy. I wanted my story to reflect the joy I’ve had and have got in my life. I have always laughed a lot, even when times were grim. I love books that make me laugh out loud - Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella are my favourite authors. I disciplined myself to half an hour’s writing every day and it’s amazing a) how quickly half an hour goes, and b) how much you can get done in half an hour. I was spurred on when I got an agent, then a year later an acceptance from Hay House. Sometimes I just warbled on about the colour of the sky or a coffee session I’d had with friends. Other times, I reminisced about my dad’s drinking habits and as I got into the flow, I was stunned at how much detail I remembered from my childhood. Ironically, details from the present were harder to remember. As I got more into the book, I started using a day a week as my writing day. Gradually, a pattern emerged and for every happy scene in our son Jack’s childhood, there was a contrast from the past. I thought of my story as a Misery Moves On type book – a way of giving other people hope. Since reading my book, people have asked if I have had therapy. I haven’t - but writing my memoirs has been a cathartic experience for me. By contrasting the past with the present, I understand myself so much better and because of that, I’m much more tolerant and accepting of myself. Why Do Monsters Come out at Night, click to buy from at Amazon. |
| Posted: 23/06/2007 17:12:45 Last Updated: 23/06/2007 17:18:04 |
Chick Lit > Writing Tips :: Write about what you know!