Meet Clare! She’s been one of our lovely and dedicated Scout students for more than we can remember and she also happens to be a novel-writer! As she just released her first novel earlier this month, we took the time to sit down with her to get some behind-the-scenes insights as to what life being a writer looks like! We hope you find her story inspiring, just keep reading!

Hi Clare, can you share a little bit of your background and what brought you to your passion for writing?

I grew up in country Queensland, a town called St George, and when I decided to try writing a book I went back there instinctively for my setting. This was the first fiction I’d written in quite a long time but I’ve always worked with words. I studied journalism in Brisbane, and have worked in communications and editorial at the Walkley Foundation for Journalism in Sydney pretty much since graduating, with a gap of a few years when I lived in New York freelancing.

You have just released your first novel, what an achievement! What’s the title and can you tell us more about it?

Thank you! The book is called Five Bush Weddings, published by Penguin Random House early in August. It’s a romantic comedy about a wedding photographer called Stevie-Jean. She’s very single in her early 30s and feels like she’s being left behind - her mum has started online dating, her best friend is settling down with a boring boyfriend, and her ex’s young fiancé has asked her to shoot their wedding. Meanwhile, her old friend Johnno has just arrived back from years in the UK, keeps turning up as best man at weddings she’s working, and they have a lot of chemistry (though nothing ever happened because Johnno is best friends with Stevie’s ex). There’s also a handsome, mysterious stranger to sweep Stevie off her feet, a reality TV show called Bush Bachelors, an old lady who’s such a big gossip they call her the Bush Telegraph, and of course lots of weddings…

What has inspired you to write this story?

My sister’s wedding was lots of fun and made me think what a great protagonist a wedding photographer would be for a romantic story. The first chapter in the book might bear a slight resemblance to that wedding…

What does your typical week as a writer + mum look like?

Like most people I’m sure, every week is a juggle - I do two days at my day job, and I’m privileged to have another two days of childcare to focus on writing, plus another day (and weekends) with our two-year-old. Fitting in some movement always makes me feel better - I try to get to Scout at least three times a week, and when the weather’s good I’ll walk or take the bike for the daycare run. Fighting procrastination is always a battle! I try to write at least 750 words a day - I’m working on my second novel manuscript at the moment, and tinkering away at some short stories as well.

What do you love most about your job?

It’s always felt miraculous to me that with words you can create something out of thin air. Writing fiction is particularly crazy - there’s that quote about being a ‘stenographer for god’. When I hit a flow and the words are pouring out as fast as I can type them, it’s like the characters are doing things of their own accord and I’m just along for the ride. It’s the best feeling.

What qualities would you say are required to be a writer?

Patience, persistence and a thick skin for inevitable rejection will be very helpful if you’re hoping to be published. Curiosity and an eye for detail make for great storytelling.

Do you ever have “blank page syndrome” and what do you usually do to overcome it and find inspiration again?

I took a break from my half-written second novel and it’s been a long journey to get back into it recently. Writing is like any exercise and when you’re out of the habit it can be painful to get the muscles working again, but the more regularly you can practice the easier it comes. I read a quote recently from Nick Cave that I found really comforting: ‘The thing you must hold on to through these difficult periods, as hard as it may be, is this--when something’s not coming, it’s coming.’ Sometimes you need a break from the page to find inspiration - going for a walk is often really helpful. Reading a book you really love, watching a movie, visiting a gallery or people-watching can all help spark something.

What goal do you hope to achieve this year?

This is kind of gross but getting Dot toilet trained will mean a lot less nappy washing, so that’s something I hope to achieve! I have a second book to finish and another idea I’m hoping to explore as well…

Do you already have any project for a second book?

I’m working on a second book in the same world, some of the background characters from Five Bush Weddings will take centre stage. There’s a historical thread to it so I’ve been digging into some research about debutante balls, pageants and horseracing in Queensland’s history.

When you’re not writing, what are you up to / how do you like to spend your free time?

When not writing I’m probably squeezing in a class at Scout whenever I can, reading or following a toddler around the park!

What advice would you give to someone who secretly dreams of writing a book but hasn’t had the courage to do it or doesn’t know where to start?

I think particularly women feel like they need some qualification or skill level or permission before they’re ‘allowed’ to write, but the best thing you can do is start, and work on it a little as often as you can. Try to bash out a ‘vomit draft’ as quickly as you can - once you have words down you can see how things are going and start to reshape it, but you can’t fix a blank page. Write in your own voice about the things you care about, and enjoy the process!

Finally, where can we find your book?

Find links to order on my publisher’s website here.

You can also follow me on Instagram @ClareFletcherWriter

SCOUT COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS - Clare Fletcher (Author)