There is no question of a doubt that my life would have been different if I had not been graced with an acute imagination. Growing up with two brothers older than myself I was often left to my own devices as I was the baby. However I was never bored as a child thanks to my love of reading which in turn stimulated my imagination, and as a result I am never bored now. Wherever I am I always have paper and pen, especially commuting around London.
As I was often left alone as a child, I made my own fun; I especially loved to play in the garden. My neighbour has fond memories of the seven year old playing, skipping, and crawling around the garden, talking to herself. In my mind however I was saving the universe and damsels in distress, not simply playing. I frequently played the male role in my games especially in rescue stories as they had to defeat dragons and guards, where the damsel just sat there not helping herself. When I was a damsel I was an intelligent one who managed to escape and meet her prince on his travels. Thus the whole garden became in my mind a series of levels and dangers which must be completed before finally reaching the dungeon, the patio. This is not the normal imaginings of a little girl I grant you, but they were so much more fun than just pretending to pour tea for my dolls, which is more conventional. My mind was always active as a child just as my pen is now, stories were always formulating.
Writing thus comes as easily as breathing, my hand moves in perfect unison with my mind capturing ideas, characters and dialogue. People have always fascinated me; I am a shameless people watcher. Consequently characters tend to capture my imagination; the mind, heart and personality of my characters are extremely important to me. Long descriptions of scenery or location do not interest me, either to read or write. It is the interaction of characters which stimulates me. Through my pen I breathe life into characters; they are always very human, have faults, make mistakes and experience a multitude of emotions.
My intention for my first novel, hopefully the first in a series of six, was to create a village, for where there are people, there are stories. Each book will enter into the personal life of a different family and readers will learn their story. By the end of the series they will have the entire picture of those who live there, and know everyone’s secrets, dreams, troubles and fears.
I found it humbling to realise that without my imagination my work would not have been written or published. I have work published and read by others as a result of God’s gift of imagination which I have cultivated and encouraged through my life. I thank God for my creative ability, which I believe he gave me for a reason, to help others if I can. Thus, A Question of Faith, was written. I wished to present a normal family saddened by an unexpected death, but who unite and brave the storm together. The story deals with themes of depression, anger and hurt; common emotions experienced by us all. I have personally battled against depression myself throughout the years and watched my mother trapped in the throes of it and slowly recover. Thus I wished to highlight this condition, and to send the message that there is nothing to be ashamed of; it is not a sign of weakness.
My aim was to present hope and comfort to those experiencing it; although it may seem that you are held prisoner to it and kept cruelly separated from the world, friends and family, this will not always be the case. It is a terrifying experience which can turn you into a stranger temporarily and I wished to highlight this to those who have a loved one suffering. They desperately need your help, love and support, even if it may not seem so. There are many ways to deal with depression; medication and counselling and in my experience also a focus in life. My mother for example used to garden, she was outdoors day and evening once she was over the worse of it, working amongst nature, whilst nature healed her. Similarly my character Robert clings to writing, which is his profession. It works as therapy for him, as it does for me incidentally.
It is hard for the whole family when a loved one sinks down, however the family can really bond through this hard time, and the patient can emerge far stronger in character. It is a time to cling to God and your family, you will not be deserted; you are not alone, even though it seems you are trapped a million miles away from them. Just remember that time heals and although the journey is rough and terrifying, you will in time emerge triumphant, viewing the world anew.
So yes, imagination has changed and shaped my life. I could have chosen to stifle my creativity, instead of embracing it. Consequently my life would have been very different and I would have been a different person, for I have grown with my writing, it has kept me sane over the years and I have discovered who I am through my writing.
