Ships in the Field. An Interview with Susanne Gervay
Jan.s: Susanne, you're a powerhouse of a woman who writes about issues that matter! Bullying, burn victims, to name a few. Can you share with us what your currently writing ?
Susanne: Ships in the Field is my first picture book. It has been in my mind and heart for many years.
Writing it was an emotional journey that encapsulates my growing up from a refugee family. I wanted to give a voice to the children and families who have been through war and migration to find laughter, hope and home.
When award winning illustrator Anna Pignataro illustrated of Ships in the Field received the manuscript she said that ‘it’s my story.’ Her family came from Italy. It’s a gift that we were able to bring our own experiences to ‘Ships in the Field’.
It is to be published by Ford St on 1st February 2012
Jan.s: Susanne: You have a working relationship with your daughter...I'd love to hear more!!!
Susanne: Even though I love my daughter Tory, writing the YA novel ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’ with her was a difficult process of collaboration. She was 17 and when she asked me teasingly to write a book inspired by her.
Susanne: Even though I love my daughter Tory, writing the YA novel ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’ with her was a difficult process of collaboration. She was 17 and when she asked me teasingly to write a book inspired by her.
I
looked around her room with its Eminem and Good Charlotte posters.
Music was her lifeline during the emotional times of family breakdown
and my illness. Eminem and the rock bands expressed her anger and
eventually the courage she needed to take on life.
She
wrote the songs ‘Psycho Dad’ and ‘I Wanna be Found’ and gave me those
songs that would drive our book during turbulent times writing the truth
of father-daughter relationships, friendships, search for meaning,
love, our own relationship. It was hard writing the book, testing our
relationship.
We had to be careful to respect each other's boundaries,
while creating an honest creative work. There were many near disasters,
but ultimately our mother-daughter relationship was the glue that kept
us going.
‘That’s
Why I Wrote This Song’ is about four girls connected through music. The
music reflects their relationship with their fathers, each other as
they move towards finding love, friendship, their future. They create
their band Not Perfect. Not Perfect like them, like the world, like all
relationships, as they move towards embracing their Not Perfect world.
Tory’s
lyrics and music drive the narrative of the book and are integral to
the characters. It was a great journey. You can hear/see her songs on
youtube:-
Jan.s: Susanne, I look forward to hearing more of what you're up to...thanks so much for giving your time!
Psycho Dad -lyrics, music and vocals by Tory Gervay
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