A smiling small man with black frames glasses welcomes me on the entrance of the red-chairs auditorium at Foyles (Charing Cross) store in London. There are a few people in the room, but I’m sure all the seats will shortly be taken. Being among the first people coming in has a huge advantage: you can choose your favourite place. Although the first row is completely available - two middle-aged ladies and a gentleman to their right had just sat down - I have always felt embarrassed to be in the front. I don’t know why, maybe because I’m a natural introvert. I decide to take a seat that permits me to see the speakers properly without being seen too much. The third row, I believe, is a good location. Third row directly opposite the stage. Good sight, not too much in sight.
At seven exactly, the room is full, and a soft buzz fills the air. Everybody is anxiously waiting for the beginning of the meeting. Alex Clark suddenly strolls in the room followed by the special guests: Emily Koch (author of ‘If I die before I wake up’), Imogen Hermes Gowar (‘The mermaid and Mrs Hancock’), and Mary Lynn Bracht (‘White Chrysanthemum'). They smile; they look at the people before them. A hint of embarrassment appears on their faces, but it goes away when Clark introduces them. Although the books are very different, it immediately seems that the authors have numerous things in common. They all got inspiration by their lives. Emily Koch is the first to speak up. The idea for the book popped in her mind after a terrible car accident which made her thought about life and its value. Imogen Gowar has always been passionate historical novels (a passion that her mum passed to her, she shyly admits) and working in museum increased her interest in ancient artifacts. Mary Bracht is originally Korean – her mother left the country to move to United States – and in 2003 she travelled to South Korea to visit her mum’s hometown. The different ways of living and respect for the numerous traditions influenced and inspired her writing. The audience fixes its eyes on them. The attendees chuckle, nod and whisper, hearing their stories. The writing process hasn’t always gone smooth and quiet. Emily Koch is again the first to open up. She was a journalist for a Bristol based newspaper and, although writing wasn’t a problem, starting her novel took ten years. “I knew how to write, but I wasn’t sure I was able to write something that would be read by the public,” she humbly admits. Mary Bracht instead thought that her story could have numerous people interested in. The only issue was English wasn’t her first language and taking an MA in Creative Writing helped her for improving her narrative ability. “Taking an MA helped me, too,” Gowar confirms. “It gives you confidence, and you start thinking of being a writer.” “You need a person who cares about what you write and takes you by hand during the creative process,” Koch interjects. The debate is pleasant and lively; the three women aren’t embarrassed anymore. The audience is involved and hung from their lips. The authors have never thought to get published while they were working on their novel. “Publishing is a hope for a writer,” Gowar says. “I think a writer has to write what she wants. If you focus your writing time on getting published, you may end up writing things that you don’t like or are total rubbish.” “While I was writing, I actually thought of getting published,” Emily Koch reveals, “but I mainly focused on getting read.” “I thought to get published,” Mary Bracht chuckles. “I thought my story was worthy of being read.” The time is up; Alex Clark stops the numerous hands which were up to ask questions. The meeting was delightful. Listening to others’ experience was a source of endless motivation and inspiration. I get out of the auditorium, thinking of what I’ve been writing, what I think when I’m writing, and why I write. I don’t know if I’ll be that lucky to finally get published. But the passion and determination these three writers emanated convinced me that working hard can give enormous satisfaction.
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