By Abbey Cannan
What do you pack to pursue your dream and what do you leave behind?
Perhaps that’s a question many mature age women ask whilst they juggle adult children, grandchildren, aging parents, financial, emotional and location decisions.
Noosa writer, Julie Holland, addresses some of these issues in her latest contemporary fiction novel ’That Summer In Nautilus Cove’. And yes, Nautilus Cove is loosely based on the Sunshine Coast.
“The book is a heart-warming sea change story of self-discovery, full of humour and romance,” Julie said.
“And, of course, our area is the perfect setting for Marnie Fawkner to confront what she needs to pack to pursue her own dreams.
“Locals will be able to recognise Noosa River, the National Park, and some restaurants – the rest are a secret.
“I couldn’t resist adding in the retail elements as my partner and I have a local small business, but it’s all new to Marnie. As they say, ‘What could possibly go wrong?’”
Julie has always been a writer, with several childrens books and an inspirational book of verse under her belt. But contemporary fiction is her love, with another book (set in Melbourne) due out later in the year.
“This is my first contemporary fiction novel so it has taken a few years to write but I wanted to get it right so that readers would be looking forward to subsequent stories,“ Julie said.
“The process of drafts, the various levels of editing, listening to early reader and editors’ advice and letting it sit for a while ’to cook’ has been wonderful.
“Your characters can only grow and deepen when they’re looked after. My second book is well on its way so there shouldn’t be as many labour pains.“
Julie said she needed the main character to have a sea-change from Melbourne, and what better place to be than Noosa.
“She had to become accustomed to the humidity, to give herself space to re-think her life, even to buy a few linen pants as a change from her city work clothes,“ she said.
“I have used actual Sunshine Coast places because I know them, but have weaved through other coastal towns I’ve visited. I’m from Melbourne originally so could draw on many of the southern details as well.“
The book is for sale at Hearts and Minds Art in Hastings Street, a shop that Julie and her partner opened ten years ago.
“It’s an art gallery/homewares store which has grown from me selling my inspirational verses at Eumundi markets to a successful bricks and mortar store in Hastings Street,“ she said.
“We love it and our customers.“
That Summer in Nautilus Cove is available as an eBook and paperback on Amazon and at Hearts and Minds Art, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads.
