The Journey of Writing and Discovery: Paula Welch on A River of Fortune

Paula Welch, author of the A river Of Fortune

Paula Welch is a new voice in the Australian literary scene. After following her dream of writing, she graduated from Griffith University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and Literature.

Writing purely for the joy of it, Paula has written three novels, two of which are still in the editorial stages. Paula and I had the pleasure of collaborating on the new cover design for her book, A River of Fortune, available now on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats, or through your local online bookseller.

As a debut author, I was eager to learn more about her journey—how she began writing, what inspired her, and her advice for those considering a career in writing. Here’s what she shared with me.

1

What inspired you to start writing, and did you ever envision yourself as a writer as a child?

Since I was a small child I loved writing stories, especially when I was in primary school.  My writing was big and messy but most teachers seemed to let that slide. However, in later years at school I struggled with English which left me believing I couldn't be a writer.

Thanks to my degree, I learned how to put pen to paper easier than I once thought possible.

I've learned how to write free form, to develop my characters and how to plot out each chapter. In the end, writing my novel was the easy part.

Editing and formatting my novel for publication was the most difficult. But during this process I've learned how to edit and proof-read with more confidence and as for the formatting ... leave it to the professionals.

2

Can you share the story behind your first book A River of Fortune? What motivated you to write it?

My first novel, The Interlopers, written for young adults, was taken from a short story I’d written for a speculative fiction class at university. I needed to start writing, so I took this short story and turned it into a full-length novel. It was my first so I haven’t published it yet. I haven’t decided yet to write it as a trilogy or three small books inside one larger book.

My first published novel, A River of Fortune, had been in my head for many, many years. I spent six years completing my degree before I attempted to write it.

Book Cover Design by Donika Mishineva

Click on the image to read an excerpt on Amazon

3

How would you describe the genre of your book, and what’s the central idea behind it?

A River of Fortune, is a modern adult fiction, drama novel surrounding the lives of five ordinary women. It is set in the picturesque surroundings of Devon in England.

What would you do if you found £1.2 pounds

in a Devonshire river?

Maggie Malloy was a shy and predictable young woman who found herself at a crossroads. Life had dealt Maggie with some tragic blows. But a fortunate discovery bestowed upon Maggie an appealing opportunity. Albeit, illegal.

With the help of her four endearing friends, Maggie made a radical and life-changing decision. This event started them on a journey of enlightenment, charity, and danger.

Through their journey, Maggie learned the value of friendship and, more importantly, how to live again. Not only did Maggie's fortunes blossom, but so did those of her friends and her beloved town of Friars Meadow.

Yet best laid plans start to unravel when they find themselves up against criminals of every calibre. Not realising the significance of what she found, Maggie and her friends must outmanoeuvre all threats or risk losing everything they hold dear.

During her Crusade Maggie finds love in the most unexpected place. Unbeknown to Maggie, Jonathan Swift is not who he appears to be. After their brief encounter, Maggie wonders if she'll ever see him again.

Jonathan, a senior analyst at GCHQ, was investigating an armoured van heist. But the robbery is the least of his problems when he discovers what the thieves were really after. His investigation would eventually lead him to Maggie's door.

Will he be able to protect Maggie and her friends before it's too late?

4

How did you create the characters in your book? Are they purely fictional, or are they inspired by people you know?

All of my characters are products of my imagination. I didn’t want them to resemble anyone I know in real life. Creating characters from scratch was an exciting challenge for me, and it allowed me to explore different personalities and dynamics that I hadn’t experienced before.

5

What types of books do you enjoy reading? Do you have any favourite authors whose writing style you admire?

I enjoy reading action/adventure and crime-solving novels. Some of my favourite authors are Elizabeth George, Minette Walters, and Jeffrey Archer. Their storytelling techniques and character development are incredibly inspiring.

6

In your opinion, what makes a novel successful and enduring?

I think the secret to a successful novel is to entertain the reader. Develop your characters well before starting. Get to know them and give them a live before the novel. When you start writing about your characters, you already know a lot about them.

7

What did you learn about yourself during the writing of your first book?

I learned that I can do it. For so many years, I told myself, “I can’t do this,” but writing my first book proved me wrong. It was an empowering experience that taught me to overcome self-doubt and take action.

8

What are your creative plans moving forward? Are there any new projects you’re working on?

Right now, I just write for pleasure. I’m going to keep writing in my spare time, and hopefully one day, I can write full-time. I’m going to re-write my first novel, The Interlopers, once I have finished writing, Cloud Piercer, which will be my second published novel. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s about a rescue.

9

What advice do you have for aspiring writers who are just starting out?

Don't let anyone tell you, you can't do it.

If you're hesitant, enrol in a writing degree. You will gather a great deal of knowledge and skill in writing, in whatever form you choose to write in. Learn how to write well. My degree, Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Creative Writing and Literature, taught me so much more than I could have imagined. It gave me the confidence to write, and I haven’t stopped since. I also took a small class in editing, which helped me edit and proof-read all my drafts which have improved with each edit.

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 hope this interview has sparked your curiosity, and you’re eager to dive into A River of Fortune. Get to know the characters and immerse yourself in the world Paula Welch has created.