Interview with Laura O’Connell
Today I have Inspirational Women’s Fiction author Laura O’Connell visiting. Laura’s debut novel African Hearts was released in April.
Q. Can you tell us about your debut release African Hearts?
A. African Hearts was released in April. It was inspired from when I was in grade three when my teacher taught us about Africa. I saw a picture of a boy standing next to his mud hut and it aroused my curiosity. Four years ago the Watoto Children’s Choir visited our church. We billeted two of the children and their chaperone. We talked about the biggest challenges for the orphans’ as they grew up and particularly when they left the orphanage. The biggest challenge is their sense of belonging. I related to this because I lost my parents at a young age, too, and have had a sense of where do I belong in this world.
African Hearts was inspired by me thinking about belonging. Sometimes we think we know what we want from life, but our destiny isn’t always what or where we think. Gina Messina thought she belonged in the multi-million dollar business inherited from her parents. She is called to Africa to visit with her dying brother, but when she gets there he has already died and she is astonished when she learns she’s guardian of her eight year old nephew whom she knew nothing about.
She meets Kam Bonsu, Marco’s doctor, who has lost his faith because his wife and child were killed in a car accident. Destiny has brought these two people together, but do they have the strength to overcome their prejudices to make a difference in the lives around them.
Q. You’re travelling around Australia at the moment, how have your travels helped inspire your current work in progress?
A. Being out in the environment has made me feel really connected to my creator. Through his creation I’ve been able to tap into my own creativity and think more on an organic level than ever before. I’m finding new settings and new stories of how people do life today in our chaotic world which is an inspiration to me.
Q. Why did you choose to publish with an independent Australian publisher for you debut book?
A. I love Australia, and I love being Australian. My publisher, Rochelle Manners of Even Before Publishing, has a vision for Inspirational Women’s Fiction. I can see her vision. I want to be part of that vision. There’s a lot of good American inspirational fiction out there, but as Australians we have our own unique voice. I believe we need to value our Australian voice and show the world we can do it, too.
Q. What advice would you give to aspiring authors wanting to write for the Inspiration Women’s Fiction market, particularly in Australia.
A. If you feel you’ve been called to write inspirational fiction, write it. Follow what’s in your heart and don’t try to predict what the market wants or follow trends. Your writing voice and life experiences are unique. Call on all the resources that are in you are and your writing will show the real you.
Thank you Laura for visting and sharing your journey.
For more about Laura visit her website http://laura-oconnell.com
One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of Laura’s debut novel African Hearts.
What a lovely route to inspiration for your book. I have had a great deal to do with Russian orphans/adoption and can relate to what we see out in this world. Such hardship. At 16 the Russian orphans are tossed out into the wild world, with no where to go, and no family to fall back on. Many don’t make it.
Congratulations on your debut novel, i wish you luck for the future.
Regards
Jane Beckenham
Thanks for your congrats, Jane, and thanks for telling me about the Russian orphans. I didn’t know about them being out in the world after they turned sixteen. I’m not surprised some of them don’t make it.
Really interesting interview.
Congratulations on your debut novel.
=)
Bec
Thasnk you, Bec, for stopoping by.
So lovely to hear the background behind Laura’s book. I’ve read “African Hearts” and loved it. Kam was a gorgeous hero! Great interview Helen.
I’m glad you like Kam, Louise. I fell in love with him, too. Thanks so much for being part of my journey in writing.
Thanks for visiting ladies. Pleased you enjoyed learning more about a talented new author.
I love hearing about writing journeys. Congrats on your new release 🙂
Thank you for the congrats, Rachael. I hope to learn about yours, too.
Congratulations on the release of AFRICAN HEARTS, Laura.
And thanks for a great interview, Helen.
Thanks, Nas. I really enjoyed writing African Hearts.
Finally, a very special thank you, Helen for interviewing me. I’m looking forward to the release of your debut novel in January, 2012. Thanks so much for being part of my journey. 🙂