Good Reading caught up with author MEREDITH APPLEYARD to chat about growing in sunny South Australia, her favourite books, and her latest release, The Seachangers.
ABOUT THE BOOK
It’s never too late for a new beginning.
At 57, Ruth made a successful sea change: she relocated from the city to the country and opened Rosie’s Cafe in the seaside town of Cutlers Bay. Business boomed, but five years on the shine has worn off. Where has that other Ruth gone, the independent, feisty woman who’d had the courage to sell up in the city and move to the country? Even the bathroom mirror is reflecting back someone she doesn’t quite recognise: greying hair, wrinkles, the sparkle all but gone from her blue eyes. Ruth is convinced she has to make a change – if only she could decide what.
After a lifetime of hard work out bush, Hamish has retired to the city for a life of comfort and ease. It’s what he always dreamed of, so why doesn’t he feel satisfied? When his 89-year-old father dies, Hamish comes to Cutlers Bay to settle his affairs. At first, packing up the house and renovating it to sell is both a filial duty and a welcome project to fill his days. As the work energises him, Hamish wonders: was retiring a mistake? The longer he’s in town, the more Cutlers Bay starts to feel like home. And a certain cafe owner makes the idea of staying there all the more appealing …
MEET MEREDITH APPLEYARD
You grew up in South Australia. What do you remember most about that as a child?
I was born in Murray Bridge and grew up in the Murraylands of South Australia. We lived near the Murray River and as kids we spent hours mucking about on the river. Back then the water was clear and sweet, not briny and brown like it is today.
I moved to the Clare Valley much later in life, and have lived in the area for over 30 years now. It is a beautiful place to live. There are some fabulous walks and one of my favourite pastimes is walking on the Riesling Trail with friends and stopping off for a coffee along the way.
What were your favourite books as a child and teenager?
At high school I could usually be found in the library at lunchtime. My reading choices were eclectic, anything from Popular Mechanics magazines to Nicholas Monsarrat’s The Cruel Sea.
They Found a Cave (1947) by Nan Chauncey was a childhood favourite. Mum encouraged me to read and pointed me in the direction of books that had been her favourites: Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery; Little Women by Louisa May Alcott; Pollyanna by Eleanor H Porter. Into my teens I graduated to Alistair MacLean and Nevil Shute.
When did you first know you wanted to write a novel?
This is a question I’ve been asked often and pondered at length, and honestly I couldn’t say there was an actual moment when I thought, yes, I’m going to write a novel. I think I’d always assumed that I eventually would. For as long as I can remember stories have buzzed around in my head. As children my younger sister and I shared a bedroom and as soon as the light went out at night I’d tell her a story, picking up where I’d left off the night before. Even if I was dead-tired and wanted to go sleep she’d say, ‘Come on, tell the story,’ until I did. And I’d read so many books that writing a novel seemed like the most natural and logical next step. It couldn’t be that hard, could it?
Which writers inspired you to write stories like they did?
Sue Grafton, author of the ‘Alphabet’ series was an inspiration. Not because I wanted to write detective stores but because of how skilfully she wrote. She created such a strong, likeable and believable character in Kinsey Millhone.
Peter Temple is another author who comes to mind. Once again, not because I’ve ever wanted to write crime novels but because of his masterful skill with words. Reading his books are a lesson in saying more with less. And a pure joy to read.
Did where you grew up shape the stories and characters in your books?
Yes, it certainly did! I’ve lived most of my life in smallish rural communities and all my books are set in similar, mostly fictional communities. It’s what I know and love and they are a rich source of inspiration and ideas. The country is where I feel at home. I love nature and the great open spaces.
What inspired the story of The Seachangers?
I’d created a seaside town on the Yorke Peninsula in one of my earlier books and I wanted to go back there. A character from that story had stayed in my mind: what was her backstory and what had become of her? She’d only played a minor role in the earlier book, but I’d liked her a lot. And then my sister retired and the transition didn’t go as smoothly as she’d imagined, and I thought, what a great thing to write about. All our working lives we focus on that end goal of retirement and then when it doesn’t pan out the way we want it can leave us floundering. So much of our identity is tied up in the work we do. It’s not always easy to let go, and then find we need to rediscover ourselves and bring a new sense of purpose and meaning into our lives.
What parts of your own experiences have shaped this book in particular?
Observing how peers, friends and family have stumbled when making the transition to retirement. Having it not turn out as planned, or not having a plan in the first place because it’s been forced on them prematurely. Anything from failing health, ageing parents, lack of resources and kids who move back home as adults seem to be common challenges.
If you could travel back in time, what would you tell the young Meredith as she was just about to start on her writing journey?
Write for the joy of it, don’t take yourself too seriously, and be the person who determines the measure of your success.
What are you reading now?
I’m re-reading Sue Grafton’s ‘Alphabet’ series, starting at A is for Alibi of course. I don’t have a copy and I’ve had to wait weeks to borrow it from the library. Says something.
Ken Follet’s Never is waiting on the bookshelf. Fingers crossed it doesn’t break the bookshelf before I get to it.
Best books you’ve read recently?
There are so many! I’ll start with Sara Paretsky’s 22nd ‘VI Warshawski’ novel, Pay Dirt. I’ve read all 22. Another private investigator series with a strong and quirky woman as the lead protagonist.
Luckily, I recently stumbled on Alan Carter’s Crocodile Tears. It’s the fifth in the Detective Philip ‘Cato’ Kwong series. Enjoyed them all.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Stunning.
And for non-fiction, Michael McGirr’s, Books that Saved My Life. Enjoyable and thought-provoking .
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When I remember all the houses and flats I’ve ever lived in, even in London, I could look out my bedroom window and see trees. The best places I’ve ever lived are the ones where I could lay in bed and watch the trees and the birds and the changing seasons.
Before following my dream to become a writer, a career as a registered nurse gave me the opportunity to experience many country health practice settings – lots of ideas and inspiration!
I’ve been lucky enough to have worked in the Northern Territory, Outback South Australia and Queensland; I’ve done agency nursing in London, and volunteer work in a hospital in Vietnam. And I’ve worked for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
My ongoing fascination with the complexities of small country communities, the characters I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had, are all reflected in the novels I’ve written, and the ones I’m planning.
Books have always been an integral part of my life. No moment is complete without me being somewhere in a book – either reading it or anticipating going back to it, or looking forward to starting the next one. Then there’s the feeling that lingers like an afterglow long after I’ve finished a particularly good story. And when I’m writing, wanting to know what happens in the story keeps me at the keyboard until The End.
My first publishing success came with a short story called Waiting for Harry entered it in the Romance Writers’ of Australia’s Little Gems competition. It won a place in their annual anthology. Of course I was over the moon.
And along the way I had a go at being a journalist myself. Over several years I wrote 60-plus stories for the free rural newspaper, The Flinders News.
In March 2015 my first novel, The Country Practice, hit the book stores. What a rollercoaster ride it’s been…
Nursing was my first career, and writing is my second. If a friend hadn’t challenged me to follow my dream, I might still be pounding hospital corridors!
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