Books
Spark of life
by Siobhan Harvey
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If the emphasis upon family seems particularly acute in Neale’s work at present, in truth, she says, it’s nothing new. “I’ve always been fascinated by how families mould our identities: for good or ill. I think this all started with my parents, who were the reason why I became a writer. Dad, for instance, sat me down and gave me a stern talking-to in my teens when I mentioned wanting to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor. Basically, he said he wouldn’t want me to become a doctor because it ruins your family life.”
And Neale’s mother, the accomplished author Barbara Else? “Well, having a mother who wrote was definitely a help and an influence in my career-choice. Right from our primary school days, my mother was actively writing, voraciously reading, and involving me in reading drafts of her stories and early novels. Also it was Mum and Chris [Else, author and Neale’s stepfather] who, through their literary agency Total Fiction Services, helped to sell my first book, Night Swimming, to Random House.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Neale’s interest in childhood shows no signs of abatement. Take her next book, for instance. “I can’t say too much, but it’s a novel and is about something which fascinates all kids – the yeti.”
At the mention of the mythical snow-monster, our conversation is disrupted as Abe roars into the room, fresh from school. Seeing Neale’s son makes me want to ask his mother a hypothetical question. If, when Abe is older, he says that he wants to be a writer, would she encourage or caution him?
Neale laughs. “I’d probably do a mixture of both, actually. I’d tell him that he has to have a decent day job, but I think it would also be delightful to watch someone you’ve raised find their voice and their passion in life. The one thing I do deeply want for my son is for him to find the thing that drives him, whatever that might be – if he’s happy doing it, that’s all that concerns me.”
Looking at the pleasure on Neale’s face at Abe’s return home, you know she means it.
Siobhan Harvey is an Auckland writer and tutor.
SPARK, by Emma Neale (Steele Roberts, $24.99); SWINGS + ROUNDABOUTS, edited by Emma Neale (Godwit, $36.99) is released on May 2.
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