Local author Claire Fitzpatrick, an all-things-horror expert, is chasing her dream to become a full-time writer.
But with a pricey mortgage, rising bills, an 11-year-old daughter and a baby on the way, making dreams reality isn’t easy.
Ms Fitzpatrick’s new book, A Vindication of Monsters: Essays on Mary Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft, combines her two loves of body-horror female empowerment.
Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, was often considered the birth of the body-horror genre – and her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a leading women’s rights activist from the 18th century.
Ms Fitzpatrick said there was a lot to learn from both women, who were “rebels of their time”.
“They’ve impacted the world in so many ways that I don’t even think they could have imagined it,” she said.
The timeless stories of the women remain a driving force in Ms Fitzpatrick’s life, compelling her to spend her nights writing as she works full-time to care for her family.
In the day, Ms Fitzpatrick works in marketing so she can pay her seemingly ever-rising mortgage.
“I’ve got a horrible mortgage,” she said.
“I’m looking to try and be able to be able to dedicate my time to writing as well as… be a parent.
“I’m very determined.”
Ms Fitzpatrick said, as hard as it was, she was grateful to live in Logan.
“The arts scene is really supportive for creative people,” she said.
“There’s a lot of opportunities that just aren’t really in other areas.
“It’s really good for when you’re trying to pursue artistic passions – there is a lot of support.”
She said support also came from a local employment service and government funding for new authors.
Unfortunately, she said, that funding dried up as she became more successful.
“… which is great for new authors but it’s very hard for me to… get funding for these projects,” she said.
“I’m gonna keep trying.”
In early June Ms Fitzpatrick will be at the Logan Writers Festival selling advance copies of her new book and inspiring aspiring authors.
She said the festival was a great opportunity to get advice from successful writers.
“The Logan Writers Festival is such a great way to meet other creatives,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
“They give you advice about how you can… turn writing into a career.
“They actually give you practical advice.”
Ms Fitzpatrick is excitedly awaiting the release of her book.
She said she hoped her book contained “something for everyone”, and that her heroes inspired others as much as they did her.
