Brisbane author, Diane Clarke, has proven that hard work, perseverance and pursuing your passions, really can make dreams come true.
With the recent publication of her first novel, The Photograph, Diane is hoping that she can encourage and inspire other writers in the local area to go after their dreams as well.
Diane’s story is not one of overnight success. Although she loved writing when she was young, it wasn’t until later in her life that she was really able to focus on her craft.
“I loved writing as a child,” Diane said. “However, with a career in speech pathology and raising a family, I only had the opportunity to start again when I retired.”
After moving to the Brisbane area from the UK nearly three decades ago, she dedicated a great deal of time to refining her skills by joining various writers’ groups.
“When I first took up writing again, I was part of the Carindale Writers Group, and I currently belong to the Queensland Writers Centre, Sisters in Crime and the Brisbane Book Authors,” she said. “They are all different and have helped in various ways, but overall, my experience of meeting other writers has been very positive and supportive.”
Over time, Diane began working with an agent and editors, which eventually led to her being published.
“My journey to publication has been long,” she said. “Before being published, the hardest part of the process was dealing with rejections from publishers. Since publication, the challenge has been about learning how to market and publicise my book.”
The Photograph is a family mystery involving a woman’s search for a brother she believes she lost during the wartime evacuations of 1939. The idea was first born about six years ago and the project took Diane roughly four years from beginning to end.
Don’t Give Up!
Her biggest piece of advice to other writers is to keep going and not give up.
“Persevere! Attend groups, workshops and courses,” she said. “If you want to publish or enter competitions, seek professional editorial support.”
As she celebrates her recent success, Diane is grateful for the support she’s received from the community so far.
“We are so fortunate in Brisbane to have so many groups and organisations encouraging emerging writers,” she said. “It’s enormously meaningful to have this kind of local support.”
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