A Co Down woman has followed her dreams aged 77 by publishing her own book.
Elaine Somers from Crawfordsburn is delighted to have had her first book published and says 'age is just a number'.
She said although she always loved writing, she had believed her working life was over.
Elaine added: “As a mum of five and the owner of a busy art gallery in Holywood, I was kept on my feet all throughout my life, I loved working and being such a big part of my kids lives, but it left me with little time for anything else. Since my kids are now adults and I’m retired from the art world, I was settling nicely into retirement, enjoying a simple life at home and I was content.”
Early in the pandemic, the North Down woman was struck with Covid and while she didn’t require hospitalisation, she says the virus knocked her for months on end.
She added: “I was exhausted and could do very little but sit and watch TV or read, physically I had no energy and I really missed my daily walks with the dogs but I just couldn’t do it. It was during my recovery that I started writing again.
“Writing was the only thing that got me through school, it was my escape, my safe place and the one thing that took all the stress out of my head. I wasn’t academic at all and actually struggled with everything else, I think if I were at school today I would likely be diagnosed with a form of ADHD. It’s taken me years to accept that I am different, my mind works differently to others, but now I’m OK with that - this is who I am – writing brings me the release and the sense of calm I so often need.
“During the pandemic I had more time to follow my dreams and started writing more. I began writing about an old friend called Marjorie, Marjorie has long since passed but the stories she shared with me on the life she led inspired me to create a book based on her amazing life which starts during the war.
"Marjorie was a real friend who held a big place in my heart, she was everything I wasn't. She was born in India, educated at Oxford and lived the kind of life I could only have imagined.
"We were pen pals of sorts. Marjorie always asked me why I didn't write a book - she was an incredibly intelligent woman and a linguist through and through though she always said that she didn't have my imagination - I hope if she could read the book that she would feel I had done her justice!
“The story of ‘Marjorie and Claudette’ is a fictional novel but based in real life characters, and real places."
Elaine said she has followed her dreams 'for her and no one else'.
"When I was encouraged to seek a publisher I was nervous and excited, now to see that book I have written on the shelves and hear the positive reviews, I am elated that I have achieved this amazing dream, I’m proud of myself and I feel brave for chasing it.
"I hope that I can encourage others to follow their dreams and realise that no matter what age you are you can still achieve great things.
"I'm incredibly proud of myself, particularly because of my age and the fact that I don't have a good academic record, to have achieved this dream despite that is truly fantastic!"
The mum-of-five explained how writing is a form of therapy for her.
She said: "I find writing a release and a lovely way to relax - my family say I talk too much but no-one has ever said I write too much - when I write, I really enjoy having the freedom to express myself more than I have vocally!
"I ran an art gallery for many years, but I couldn't paint, some people say I paint a picture with words, I take that as a real compliment.
"I don't just write novels, I also publish my memories on Facebook in the form of short stories which I find really therapeutic, I get a lot of interaction on there which I really enjoy."
For others who feel they have missed out on chasing their dreams, Elaine says "it's never too late".
"I was forced into it by ill health but I am delighted I did it and I now realise that I still have a lot more to give - in fact, I've actually written my next book and it's currently with the editor," the Crawfordsburn woman added.
‘Marjorie and Claudette’ by Elaine Somers is available to buy now on Amazon, WH Smith, Stewart Millar, World of Books and Waterstones.
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