Hello, or as we commonly greet people in New Zealand – kia ora, meaning be well or healthy.
My writing career began with my first job when I left school and was employed at Radio New Zealand as a copywriter/production writer. It was splendid training for my writing life to come because the deadline work taught me I couldn’t wait around for inspiration – the day’s work had to be done on time. Since then, I’ve been a freelance writer, contract writer, editor, education writer, academic writer, and playwright. My dozen books cover fiction and non-fiction – children’s books, serious histories, and, more latterly, novels.
My latest book, Rushton Roulette is a light novel about 4 women who resist the thought of sliding into old age and decide to meet the challenge head-on.
It came about in an interesting way.
Years ago, being aware of actresses’ complaints
that there were few good opportunities for them, especially after ‘a certain
age’, I decided to write a stage play with not one but four roles for aging
actors. If you know anything about theatre, you’ll know the chances of getting
a play onstage is minimal. I’ve been lucky with several of mine, but this one
never got a production.
A year or two ago I decided to rewrite the idea
as a novel. So, Rushton Roulette the play, became Rushton Roulette
the book.
When you read it, you may wonder how some of
the scenes can be shown onstage. Yes, it’s possible. I gave my suggestions in directions
but left the final decisions to the director. I never underestimate the
imagination and expertise of a good director – they add so much!
Excerpt from chapter 12, Rushton Roulette, by Bronwyn Elsmore
“Five. Merryn did a quick calculation. So there was a twenty percent chance she’d draw her choice. The probability was not favourable enough for her liking.
“There
are four of us. If we put them all in the hat we’ll have one to spare. Good.”
Joan was delighted with the way the plan was moving along.
Heather
laughed. “It’s a bit like the gun with the six chambers.”
“Russian
Roulette,” Joan confirmed.
“In
Russian Roulette, if I understand it correctly,” Cecily pointed out, “there are
six chambers but only one of them holds a bullet.”
Merryn
was still far from convinced about the whole plan, and the mention of the word
bullet caused her stomach to knot. She attempted to sound as calm and logical
as Cecily was as she responded.
“It
means the odds in Russian Roulette are a lot better. There it’s only one chance
in six that you get the bullet.”
“But
possibly more lethal.”
“I
wish I were so sure,” Merryn’s thought returned to her earlier fears of all
that could go wrong. She countered Joan’s comment, but her doubt was dismissed
immediately with an observation it was hard to argue against.”
“If
we do it with five blanks, none of us may have to do anything. Only one of us,
at the most, which would rather defeat our purpose. So the five options stay.”
“We
could put in a blank one and make it up to six.” Cecily’s suggestion was
welcomed by Merryn. It gave her two chances of coming out of this alive, or
relatively unscathed. Now the odds had risen to 33 per cent she’d get either
abseiling or the blank. Lady Luck better be with her today.
“A
sporting chance? Good idea.” Joan was all for it. “Now, how shall we do this?”
Disclaimer: no guns are used and no animals harmed in Rushton Roulette.
You can find out more about author Bronwyn Elsmore here:
Book Council
You can purchase Bronwyn Elsmore's novels here:
Other fiction books by Bronwyn Elsmore
Everyone knows you can’t go back. Everyone except Mary. A plum
tree has gone. A lemon tree thrives. A mystery surrounding a boat with
painted eyes remains. A novel with the feel of a memoir – I find the
combination very appealing.”
Every Five Minutes
Gina, if that is her real name, sets out for work. Deliberately, she
misses the bus and walks into the city, then turns and walks back again. This is
not a day for work. Today she will spend with a white dog and a remarkable man.
“I hated the story to end. Read it and you'll see. It's a lovely, lovely book.”
Seventeen Seas
Stowaways in lifeboats? Germans claiming deckchairs? When passengers
from many places cruise together, there must be fun. Fiction, non-fiction,
humor – Seventeen Seas is all of these. For all who have taken a cruise, think
they'd like to, or are certain they never would!
These Islands Here — Short Stories of the South Pacific
Literary fiction, stories of life in the South Pacific – pleasure, pain,
calamity, comedy, fun, misfortune, loss, triumph. Most have been published
previously, several have won short story competitions.
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And here’s the way we say goodbye in New Zealand – haere ra. Or we say ka kite ano, I’ll see you again. I hope we will meet again via one of my books.
