Writing the tough stuff

Auckland author Nina Nola (The Way to Spell Love) and Wellington author Vanessa Young (The Reluctant Homeopath: an unexpected science story) talk to The Cuba Press publisher Mary McCallum about writing books that have difficult and controversial subjects: why they were driven to do it, how they approached the tough stuff in their writing – including dealing with those who didn't think they should write about it at all, and how their books have been greeted by readers and booksellers.

Nina's memoir focuses on her patriarchal Croatian father and explores the impact he had on her and her family's lives, from her childhood in a Henderson apple orchard and a Pukekohe vineyard to the aftermath of his death 17 years ago. It is the first memoir by a Croatian New Zealander. Vanessa is a trained scientist who became a registered homeopath and writes about how she was able to reconcile those two apparently irreconcilable parts of her life. Her book explores the philosophy of wellbeing and the limits of what we know about ourselves. Both books are powerful, courageous and honest reads by two debut authors.

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