This week, the world is mourning the loss of author Bryce Courtenay, who inspired many by only beginning his immensely successful writing career at age 55.
Kate Morton on the other hand, is an inspiration because of all she has achieved even though she is only in her mid 30’s – selling 7 million copies worldwide of her first three novels: The Shifting Fog (known as The House at Riverton overseas), The Forgotten Garden and The Distant Hours. As if that wasn’t enough, she is working towards a PhD in gothic novels. Oh, and she’s married with two small boys to look after!
No wonder about 100 people (including myself and my friend Nola, who had travelled from Toowoomba) were willing to pay $40 a head to attend a Literary Luncheon with Kate as guest of honour at the Grand View Hotel last week. The cover price included a two course meal with a complementary glass of wine on arrival, and of course the spectacular water views and ambience that the Grand View is known for.
Growing up on Mt Tamborine with her two sisters, Kate’s chief loves were reading (especially Enid Blyton), swimming at the local pool, and speech and drama classes.
What she didn’t love was being dragged around antique shops with her mother. However today she credits her mother and these outings as planting the seeds of her interest in history and now, writing historical novels.
Kate’s ambitions lay in acting rather than writing, leading her to pursue drama at university.
It was when she was in her early 2o’s, that her 14 year old sister showed her the manuscript she had just completed – for a Mills and Boon-style romance. Kate was at once intrigued and impressed by her sister’s achievement and began to learn all she could about writing – reading “how to” books, signing up for workshops and starting her first novel, even managing to pick up an agent along the way.
When her first two manuscripts did not generate any interest from publishers, Kate grew discouraged. “Never mind!” her agent cheered her on. “Just write another one!” – making a year long process sound oh-so-simple. Rather than think “third time lucky”, Kate set out to forget about pleasing a publisher or penning a bestseller. Instead, she wrote the story that SHE wanted. “I wanted to write about old houses, lords, ladies and lawns, but didn’t think anybody else would be interested. This was before Downton Abbey!” Kate joked.
Her agent praised the new work in progress, and then came the phone call – a publisher was interested, could she finish this new book within a month?! As Kate wryly recalled, “People often comment that The Shifting Fog really picks up pace towards the end of the story, for some funny reason!”
When asked to select her personal favourite of the four novels she has written, Kate confided that: “It’s like your children – I shouldn’t really have a favourite” – but when pressed named her new book The Secret Keeper, because she was able to combine two of her great interests in the story – acting, and London in World War 2.
The good news for fans is that Book Number 5 is well underway, and Kate’s second novel (and also my friend Nola’s favourite), The Forgotten Garden, has been optioned by a movie producer.
As it turns out, Kate believes that “Writing is a much better activity for an introverted control freak than becoming an actor!”
Credit must be given to the Grand View for supporting and encouraging local lovers of reading and writing, by hosting these events and welcoming a range of authors on a regular basis. Only the previous week, actor William McInnes spoke to 190 fans about his latest book while the day before, Ian Chappell was the guest of honour.
Disclosure: I was not paid for or sponsored in any way to write this post.