Author Note - As Busy as a Bee
As Busy as a Bee
.The inkling of an idea blossomed into … As Busy as a Bee.
I work in a male dominated industry—building and refurbishing trains. Last year, we had a mental health awareness presentation. A local gym owner gave a talk about how important physical activity is and an organisation named Fraser Coast Mates spoke about raising awareness of men’s mental health.
It triggered an idea—a book where the male character has a mental illness and how that affected his relationships. Mental illness in novels is often shared from the female character’s point of view. I wanted to show how mental illness also affects our male population. Beau suffers from anxiety. We watch and learn how this has affected him growing up and how it affects his relationships.
Beau's love interest is his childhood best friend, Clare, who he left behind eight years ago. Coming home is harder than he thought it would be and Clare's stubbornness makes reuniting with her no easy task. And with Beau's anxiety at play not everything goes to plan.
One early reader stated, ‘I just wanted to say how beautiful, poignant and vital this love story is. It’s a soothing, uplifting, passionate and sweet tale, but you also manage to contrast those wonderful, butterfly-inducing moments with a good dose of startling reality. Tackling those issues of mental health with sensitivity and aplomb.’
This story is complex with layered with characters that ring true. It’s not all serious and there are some comical moments which lighten the story. But most of all, it’s about love and support.
.The inkling of an idea blossomed into … As Busy as a Bee.
I work in a male dominated industry—building and refurbishing trains. Last year, we had a mental health awareness presentation. A local gym owner gave a talk about how important physical activity is and an organisation named Fraser Coast Mates spoke about raising awareness of men’s mental health.
It triggered an idea—a book where the male character has a mental illness and how that affected his relationships. Mental illness in novels is often shared from the female character’s point of view. I wanted to show how mental illness also affects our male population. Beau suffers from anxiety. We watch and learn how this has affected him growing up and how it affects his relationships.
Beau's love interest is his childhood best friend, Clare, who he left behind eight years ago. Coming home is harder than he thought it would be and Clare's stubbornness makes reuniting with her no easy task. And with Beau's anxiety at play not everything goes to plan.
One early reader stated, ‘I just wanted to say how beautiful, poignant and vital this love story is. It’s a soothing, uplifting, passionate and sweet tale, but you also manage to contrast those wonderful, butterfly-inducing moments with a good dose of startling reality. Tackling those issues of mental health with sensitivity and aplomb.’
This story is complex with layered with characters that ring true. It’s not all serious and there are some comical moments which lighten the story. But most of all, it’s about love and support.
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