Rebecca Wright, a 54-year-old author from Inverloch, has achieved a lifelong dream by publishing her first fantasy novel, ‘Soraya’s Song,’ after a 15-year creative journey. This significant accomplishment is particularly poignant given her childhood struggles with reading, transforming a once-difficult skill into the foundation of her literary success. The book officially launched on August 16, just before the national celebration of Book Week.
A Bee’s World: The Genesis of ‘Soraya’s Song’
‘Soraya’s Song’ invites readers into the intricate world of a beehive, centering on Soraya, a young scout bee. The narrative unfolds as Soraya’s colony faces dire circumstances, driven towards rebellion by severe drought, dwindling food resources, and the oppressive rule of a ruthless queen. Initially, the story was a personal project, conceived by Ms. Wright for her four children.
“I just started off writing it for them and just for them,” Ms. Wright explained, “but then I had a few people read it and say, ‘You should publish this’, and it sort of went from there.”
The inspiration for the novel struck Ms. Wright while observing the bees visiting a lavender bush outside her Inverloch home. Despite a bee allergy, she found herself captivated by their complex social structures and behaviors. Her fascination deepened as she researched their colonies, leading to the realization that their world offered a rich tapestry for storytelling.
“The more I learned about bees, the more remarkable they became,” she shared. “I thought, ‘I could write a story about this’, and just sort of got lost in their world and in the characters.”
Overcoming Obstacles: The Path to Publication
The path to completing ‘Soraya’s Song’ was long and demanding, requiring Ms. Wright to balance her writing aspirations with work and the responsibilities of raising four children. The manuscript was frequently set aside, but with her children now grown and independent, she found the dedicated time needed to bring the novel to fruition.
“The writing has been easy; it’s the editing process that’s the hard work,” Ms. Wright noted, highlighting the meticulous nature of refining a manuscript.
Ms. Wright’s achievement is amplified by her personal history with literacy. During her time at Leongatha Primary School, she experienced significant reading difficulties, to the extent that she was nearly required to repeat a grade. However, once the mechanics of reading became clear to her, it ignited a lifelong passion.
“Once reading finally clicked, I never stopped,” she recalled. This early challenge ultimately fostered a profound love for books, nurtured by supportive teachers and family members.
Her academic pursuits led her to study journalism and literature, and she later worked as a journalist for the Sentinel-Times. This career path, while fulfilling, was always underscored by a deeper ambition.
“My lecturer once said to me, ‘All journalists are just frustrated authors. That’s what we really want to be’,” Ms. Wright said with a laugh. “So that’s what I’ve always felt like I wanted to be, a writer and to get a book published. It’s a good tick off a dream.”
Self-Publication and Personal Connection
Ms. Wright chose to self-publish ‘Soraya’s Song.’ The experience of seeing her finished novel on the shelves of Paperplay, where she has been employed for six years, was a deeply emotional moment, a mix of excitement and trepidation.
“With journalism, you’re fact-writing,” she contrasted. “But this is really personal.” This personal investment in her narrative distinguishes her fiction from her journalistic work.
Future Prospects and Inspiring Others
The success of ‘Soraya’s Song’ is just the beginning for Ms. Wright. An audiobook version is scheduled for release in October, and she has already completed a sequel, which is currently undergoing the editing process.
Beyond her own literary achievements, Ms. Wright hopes her journey will serve as an inspiration, particularly to children who face similar literacy challenges. Her story demonstrates that perseverance and passion can overcome early obstacles, leading to remarkable outcomes.
‘Soraya’s Song’ is available for purchase at Paperplay in Inverloch and online through sissliterary.com.
