Francene, welcome to my blog.
It is an
exciting time. The ripples from the release of
STILL ROCK WATER
have barely
settled and your second novel in the Higher Ground series has just been
released too.
Congratulations are in order.
Today I
would like to talk about Still Rock Water. I have read this book and your
ability to create a believable character in Liliha impressed me.
Her situations
and the magic of her moonstone ring make a great story.
How much of your own
experience have you shared, in this novel?
Good question. My reply would be nearly every part of my life. Here's why
Australia inspired the novel:
Australia formed me. Born in sunny Adelaide, I thrived
warm and free. In the nineteen forties, I learned to make do with what life
presented, to fit in with my peers whilst retaining my individuality. Fostered
by the discipline of the classroom, Girls' Brigade and Sunday school, I grew
tall and strong entertaining my younger sisters with stories accompanied by my
rendition of a fitting dance. School offered my first chance of a farm holiday
at age 10 yrs. Mostly, I looked forward to days on the beach and picnics in the
hills.
Life is so different for children now. I sometimes
wonder if they will have the adaptability to survive if faced with hardship.
But I shouldn't bring my imaginings of a possible future into the discussion at
this point.
Married young, my circumstances changed from a life of
ease in the nineteen eighties. After three children left home, I separated from
my husband to work as a nanny and left my homeland, completely alone and
friendless, for the other side of the world.
I love a
sunburned country. A land of sweeping plains. Dorothea
McKellar's words changed for me to: I love a foggy country. A land of compact
fields. Every experience along the way provided insight and material for my
novels.
Liliha
writes song lyrics in Still Rock Water, struggling to make an impression in the
music industry. I believe it is possible to hear the song ‘she’ wrote… Comic Book Story, inspired by Christopher Reeves and his tragic accident.
Thank you to Francene for making this video possible. I am thrilled to be able to share Lilitha's song with readers here. Christopher Reeves has been an inspiration to so many, this song echoes my own feelings towards a 'superman'. As Lilitha, you, Francene, have done a great job.
What
inspired the moonstone magic?
In
the beginning ... I bought the ring from a woman who sold interesting items
through my craft shop.
Back in the nineteen seventies, I ran the shop from my
home in Robe, a tiny seaside tourist town in South Australia, inhabited off
peak by lobster fishermen. The shop already existed at one side of the front
door behind a long, deep veranda. I loved that house.
Anyway, back to the signet-style ring with a cabochon
stone set in heavy 24 carat gold. When I first saw it and gazed into the
shimmering depths, I fell in love and purchased the ring. If tilted a certain
way, a fault, hidden deep within the stone, revealed a star. This flash caught
the light in a magical way.
In the seventies, all things were open to possibility.
I believed with all my heart that thoughts could influence real events. During
that time I proved the theory to myself when a cyclone threatened friends on
the Queensland coast. The storm built up in ferocity during the afternoon. I
meditated and used mind-force against the threat, over and over again. During
the night, the storm dropped off the radar. Authorities were stunned. That's
when I knew. If a person believed, cared and used enough emotion, they could
move a mountain—or a cyclone.
And so, my imagination worked on a story over two
centuries. The story expanded to three more and warped into four other novels
about the future of the ring.
Francene, that's an amazing story in itself. Well worth a novel or two!
Subtle but
exquisite descriptions give your novel an authentic air. I can identify with
the Australian scenes and love being transported to Cornwall as well. Do you
feel more comfortable writing about ‘what you know’ or creating a new world, as
in the Higher Ground series?
For me, a future world is more satisfying.
Imagination can take over from reality. Edith Parzefall and I created realistic
characters in a future setting and grew to love them with all their idiosyncrasies.
The first two books released are: Wind Over Troubled Waters and Knights in Dark
Leather.
Both great books, well worth reading. :)
Still Rock
Water follows Liliha’s story. Could we share an excerpt?
Today, hope rose above despair. Now, she had to wait
to see if the ring would be returned to her. The moonstone ring couldn't be the
only factor when she'd helped others get out of difficult situations. Surely
she motivated the action. The power and strength remained in her. She must use
it to find a job and achieve every goal. Desire for routine filled her with
purpose.
Wrapped in her waxed coat and a soft angora scarf, hat
and gloves, she braved the elements. Outside, winds chilled her cheeks and
scattered leaves in her path. At the ocean, waves crashed on the sand. A few
birds cried into the rush of air.
The tang of ozone brought back memories of Robe. If
she'd remained in Australia, she could have stayed with her mother close to
Kaelyn and Alissa. But the idea of living in Adelaide again, where she'd spent
the major part of her married life and every street corner was filled with
memories, made her skin crawl.
Betrayal.
She kicked a shell along the sand. A
sharp prick of tears blurred her vision. It did no good to dwell on what might
have been. Reality bit into her soul.
She wanted to be as far away from Gareth
as possible. With his need for possession, he would have found a way to make
her life a misery. St. Ives had become her safe harbor, her place to heal and
stand on her own.
Who is
publishing your story?
Where can
we get this book?
Still Rock Water is available from:
Barnes &; Noble:
How can we
follow your career?
You can find more about Francene Stanley at these links:
My books: http://tinyurl.com/944kqxm
Francene, it has been wonderful having you here today. This is my first audio post. How wonderful to have someone make your character's song come to life. It is certainly a thrill to hear Lilitha's music.
Is it lack of confidence? Is it wanting to reach perfection? In writing, or any form of art, perfection surely does not exist. Interpretation allows for imperfection. In painting as in writing. We are a channel for experiences, both visual and written. Everyone would and should relate any scene with focus on different aspects. So why do I worry?
