INTERVIEW: Belinda Jeffrey, author of 'A Few Long Threads'
Finally, an interview with the beautiful and talented Belinda Jeffrey.
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I first met Belinda a few years ago at the Brisbane Writers Festival, and - having a rare afternoon free - she took me shopping, as one does. We had a lovely afternoon, and found we had a lot in common. We were both writers and mothers of beautiful, rambunctious boys, and both passionate believers in the power of stories and books. We also both rather like shoes.
We met up again earlier this year at the Whitsunday Voices literary festival, and I was able to hear her speak about her new book 'One Long Thread'. She spoke with so much humour and charm and pathos about her childhood and her family that I went straight after wards and bought her novel.
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'One Long Thread' is a beautiful, moving coming-of-age novel, refreshingly original and beautifully written. It tells the story of Ruby Moon, whose family has been split in half by her parents’ divorce. The mother moves to Darwin to join what can only be described as a cult, and takes Ruby’s twin sister with her. This seems to me so insensitive, so cruel … and, sure enough, the fallout from that decision has tragic consequences. The action of the book moves from Melbourne to Darwin to Tonga – the sections set there are among my favourite in the book. I also loved the use of the silkworm as a recurring motif and symbol. This was the first of Belinda Jeffrey’s books that I have read but I will be seeking out more.
A quote from the book:
"I had moths in my chest. A thousand of them drumming with their insistent wings, thumping inside my heart. It was like the feeling of something struggling to get out, to fly free… Love is like that."
Here are Belinda's answers to my questions:
Are you a daydreamer too?
I am a terrible daydreamer. So much so that I walk into things, drive into things, fall down stairs and boil vegetables dry because I forget what is going on around me.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I have always adored books. The experience of visiting the library as a child and borrowing books and secreting them home is embedded in my brain like some magical experience. I remember the smell of books and the feeling of sharing in something wonderful when I opened the cover. I didn't dream of being a writer until I was in year seven. I buried it for a few years during high school but it resurfaced in university and its been a dream ever since.
How did you get the first flash of inspiration for this book?
I tracked down my long lost grandmother some years ago and she told me the story of the girl and the red cost which was actually her story about how she came to find herself pregnant with my father. When a friend of mine asked why I hadn't written a story about girls the first thing I thought of was the red coat and a girl who seeks to understand where she has come from.
How extensively do you plan your novels?
I'm not a detailed plotter or planner. My writing process is very intuitive. I gather ideas and thoughts and string them together a little like beads. I write once I feel the voice of my character and see where it leads.
Do you ever use dreams as a source of inspiration?
I often dream at different phases of my writing process and I think the brain helps process, project and reflect back into itself, all the problems and issues we are working on in our waking lives. I've never written a novel on the basis of a dream, however.
Where do you write, and when?
At the moment I write whenever I can - which is limited while I'm back working full time. I pref to write in the first part of the day and I always write at a little coffee shop somewhere. I can come home and continue writing but I always begin out of the house.
What is your favourite part of writing?
My favourite part of writing is beginning a new novel. I love the energy and possibilities that exist with a new idea.
What do you do when you get blocked?
When I get blocked I try stepping up and outside the writing process. I will journal, research, think about the bigger picture. I step into my cognitive brain when I'm blocked. Watching movies helps as does reading a good book. If that fails a bit of a whinge to a friend never goes astray.
How do you keep your well of inspiration full?
I'm rarely short of inspiration. My problem is lack of time and too much stress from work. I do find that I need to unhinge a little to tap into my creative well. Lots of sleep, relaxing, a swim or walk usually puts me back in touch with the wonder of ideas and creative expression. I think the well is always there we just have to find ways to tap back into it at various times.
Do you have any rituals that help you to write?
My biggest ritual with writing is to go to a coffee shop somewhere. I'm pretty hooked on this process now. I wrote all three of my novels at the same coffee shop but I've moved away and have yet to find the one perfect place.
Who are ten of your favourite writers?
My favourite ten writers are: Tim Winton, Margaret Atwood, Marcus Zusack, Paul Griffin, Shaun Tan, Margaret Wild, Philipp Meyer, Kirsty Eager, Joanne Harris and Wilbur Smith (earlier novels only and because they were so influential on me at a certain point in my writing journey)
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PORTRAIT OF SHAUN TAN BY NICK STATHOPOULOS
What do you consider to be good writing?
Good writing is full of voice and verve. It is a great story well told.
What is your advice for someone dreaming of being a writer too?
My advice for those wishing to become published writers is 1) marry for money 2) write what you love 3) always listen to those who know more than you do
What are you working on now?
At the moment I'm illustrating a picture book which is due out next year. I'm also tinkering with a novel for upper primary/early high school years.
