CHENÉE MARRAPODI “I decided to use NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) as my motivation to complete a full rewrite.”
Here’s a treat! Today I’m sharing an interview with a writer and podcaster based in Perth, Western Australia! A lover of storytelling, a journalist/reporter, dancer, and mum! Chenée Marrapodi, thanks for taking the time to answer some writerly questions. First of all, congratulations on the publication of your debut novel! What is One Wrong Turn about?
Thank you so much, I’m still pinching myself! One Wrong Turn is a celebration of my love for dance and my Italian heritage.
It follows two dedicated young ballet dancers as they go head-to-head for the lead role in their Academy’s production of Cinderella. Amelia is talented, hard-working and determined to dance the lead, but when Valentina arrives from Italy, the competition intensifies. While Amelia’s sole focus is achieving perfection, Valentina is juggling a new country, a foreign language and a family who doesn’t understand the demands of an elite ballet school.
Amongst it all, someone tells one big, unnecessary lie that has the potential to ruin everything.
As someone who’s read your beautiful novel (thank you so much for my advance copy), I loved how you sprinkled your Italian heritage into this story. It was also wonderful to read about kids in elite sport because I haven’t seen that on the page before; the demands mentally and physically on the kids and their families are real. What prompted you to write this story?
I’m a huge ballet enthusiast and when I started writing, it very naturally crept, or should I say danced, its way onto the page.
There have been lots of beautiful ballet books over the years, but I really wanted to write a story that went beyond the glitz and glamour of the art. I’ve been dancing since I was five years old and for me, it was really important to paint a picture of the athleticism and dedication that’s required. I think that’s something that’s easily underestimated because dancers make everything look so graceful and effortless!
Your dance knowledge shows, and the characterisation of Miss Lilly was superb, which could only be done by someone who has had much experience from a variety of dance teachers. How long did it take you to write One Wrong Turn?
It’s really difficult to put a time frame on the story. I began dabbling with the idea in 2019. I was working full-time and would occasionally get up early to write. I completed the first draft but didn’t really have any momentum when it came to editing. When I fell pregnant the following year, I shelved the project. Morning sickness was brutal!
I revisited the story when my son was about six months old. Naptime became writing time and I very quickly became addicted. Within a couple of months, I had a polished manuscript and began querying. I had a few bites, but nothing serious. At the same time, something was niggling at me.
I felt like I hadn’t connected properly with one of my main characters. Meanwhile, I had a secondary character who was really loud whenever she featured. I decided some big changes needed to happen. Firstly, the two characters needed to be swapped (which obviously affected the entire plot) and I also wanted to change the story from third person to first.
I decided to use NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) as my motivation to complete a full rewrite.
It definitely paid off. I completed the rewrite that month, spent the following month polishing it and had a contract a couple of months later!
Editing is my least favourite part! But then again, it’s also how a story becomes worthy of publication, and when I read back my edited words, it’s amazing to feel good about them. NaNoWriMo is such a great resource to use for motivation, I’m doing Camp atm! How do you approach writing?
Over the past two years, I’ve taken writing really seriously – perhaps sometimes too seriously. I really love storytelling and I’m trying to lay the foundations so that hopefully one day I can make a career out of it.
I make sure I carve out the time to get words written, rather than just trying to write in my free time. For me, that means on the days I’m not working in the newsroom (I work part-time as a journalist), I’m writing in those precious (brief) moments when my two-year-old is asleep.
It’s not a foolproof plan, at times it leads to burnout, so I’m always fine-tuning the process. I’m starting to learn that having some downtime here and there is really important for creativity.
Taking writing seriously is something all writers should do. I think it’s the first step in succeeding as an author. And I also think you are doing such a great job with your author platform. Your podcast, Writers Off The Page caught my attention from episode 1 because of how professional it is! Where do you write?
Mostly in my study at home, with a baby monitor at my side. If I’m getting close to a deadline, I’ll steal a few hours on the weekend, leave my husband and toddler at home, and escape to a café to write. That’s bliss!
Nice! I write mostly at home at my desk. I’d love to try a writing retreat one day! Turning the mic on you, I want to ask you the same question you ask every author on your delightful podcast, Writers Off The Page. Let’s go back to where it all began, how did you get your yes?
The rewrite I mentioned earlier definitely had a lot to do with it. What I didn’t mention, is that I was able to run the idea past two publishers before I began making changes.
This was largely thanks to networking. My podcast meant I had met the head of children’s publishing at Fremantle Press during an interview, so when she rejected the first version of the manuscript, she offered to discuss it with me. I had already started working on the rewrite so I jumped at the offer and told her all about it. She loved the idea and offered to read it once I was done.
I also ran the idea past a publisher I’d met through a SCBWI manuscript assessment. I’m not sure that was protocol, but she was kind enough to read my email and gave great feedback too.
So while networking didn’t guarantee me a contract, it meant I was in a position to have conversations to ensure my manuscript was the best it could be pre-submission.
Great advice. Networking can really open some important doors. I love your yes story! Can you tell me a bit more about your podcast and what it means to you?
I established Writers Off The Page as a way of networking, researching and building my author brand. My interviews largely consist of me asking authors the questions I’m dying to know about writing and publishing. Saying that makes it feel like quite a selfish endeavour, although thankfully my listeners often say I ask the questions they want to know too.
The podcast means so much to me. Despite being quite a chatty person, I’m not overly confident when it comes to approaching other writers at festivals and events. The podcast has really helped me find my writing community – and let me tell you, Australian writers are an awesome and incredibly supportive bunch. Everyone is so generous with their time and advice – regardless of whether they are an emerging author or an established multi-award-winning bestseller.
I feel so lucky and grateful to have interviewed so many fabulous authors, publishers and agents.
I can relate. These Q&As are more about me getting to ask the questions I want and meeting authors than anything else, but I hope my readers are finding them insightful and motivational! The writing community is so wonderful, I can’t believe all the amazing authors I’ve had the privilege to interview. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
I’m definitely not the first person to say it, but if you want to write a book, you have to prioritise it. You can’t wait until you find the time, because you never will. You’ve got to make the time to write.
In saying that, go easy on yourself and make sure you enjoy the process. A lot of editing goes into a manuscript, both before you sign a contract and after. You’ve got to really love the story and your characters because you’ll be spending a lottttttttt of time together!
Great advice. A manuscript takes time to write, more time to edit, and you have to read it so many times you will lose count! What are you currently reading and loving?
I’m currently reading Girl,11 by Amy Suiter Clarke. It was a birthday present that I actually asked for after hearing Amy interviewed on another podcast. Sadly, it sat on my shelf for a year and a half because I had too many books to read for the podcast and I’m not very fast.
I’m a quarter of the way in and I’m happy to say, the wait was worth it. Girl, 11 is gripping!
Awesome! I’m glad I’m not the only slow reader. So, what can we expect from you next?
My fingers and toes are currently crossed because I have a second middle-grade novel out on submission. I won’t say too much because I don’t want to jinx anything, but the story follows a very endearing and at times awkward twelve-year-old as she embarks on her first year of high school. She’s obsessed with the news and gets herself into all sorts of mischief while reporting for the school’s news website.
Ooh, this sound amazing! Starting high school is a difficult time - lots of changes, new world, new friends - I’m sure you’ll have lots to say. And I’m sure it will be a story kids will want to read. I don’t recall seeing many books like that when my daughter was navigating high school. It sounds like another winner, especially with your news background to authenticate your characters passion! Best of luck with your subs!
And thank you so much for your time! It’s been wonderful to chat about writing, you provide a wealth of information on writing via your podcast and you’ve been a lovely Insta-friend.
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