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<\/p>\nAS a child, Natasha Carey would often put a pencil to paper, creating short narratives.<\/p>\n
\u201cI used to grab some loose-leaf paper, scribble out stories and drawings, and staple them together like a mini book. I\u2019ve actually still got a couple of them that my nanna kept,\u201d she laughed.<\/p>\n
By early-high school, Carey was working on a 40,000-word novel, but it took about six years for her to author a second major project, and rediscover a passion for creative writing.<\/p>\n
Now a 21-year-old, and a fresh Federation TAFE student, studying certificate four in professional writing and editing, Carey is harnessing ideas she\u2019s had for the past year in a brand-new novel.<\/p>\n
Starting the course last month was a motivating \u201cbreath of fresh air,\u201d although challenged by the restrictions of COVID-19 and online learning.<\/p>\n
Previously she struggled to find time to express herself through literature, working almost seven days a week, across two jobs. But throughout isolation, the Bunkers Hill resident been able to finish each day\u2019s course work, pick up a few shifts a week, and still allocate time to sit down and develop her book.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fantasy novel. I\u2019ve written about 9000 words, but I\u2019ve got a lot of notes building up, and an index of creatures,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best way to describe it is a cross between Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Shadowhunters, but more diverse and adult.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like the idea of creating interesting people and their backgrounds. In my novel we\u2019ve got people from all over the world, interacting with each other…and coping with different situations. Age wise, they\u2019re close to mine so I can connect with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carey has a dream to \u201cexpand my own horizons\u201d and travel around the globe, but while she can\u2019t, the act of crafting her literary landscape is a form of escapism.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re in your own little world and nothing else really matters when you\u2019re writing. It\u2019s kept me sane. I carry a notepad around with me when I\u2019m down the street or in the park,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re making characters, you\u2019re creating stories, backstories and emotions that didn\u2019t previously exist in anyone else\u2019s mind. Drawing characters helps me to visualise them in scenes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s amazing that you can explore this new world with them, as the writer and the reader.\u201d<\/p>\n
At TAFE, a writing for children\u2019s class has been particularly useful for Carey while developing the identities and direction of her characters, but most of all, she\u2019s really appreciated the support of her Federation tutors while working remotely.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe teachers have been very, very helpful. They\u2019ll call me up and ask how I\u2019m going to make sure I\u2019m on the right track,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully by the end of the year, I can get my novel to an editor and potentially get it published. I know writing is what I want to do now. It\u2019s a relief.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS a child, Natasha Carey would often put a pencil to paper, creating short narratives. \u201cI used to grab some loose-leaf paper, scribble out stories and drawings, and staple them together like a mini book. I\u2019ve actually still got a couple of them that my nanna kept,\u201d she laughed. By early-high school, Carey was working […]<\/p>\n