Residents of Evergreen Retirement Village recently welcomed author Merima Jackson to speak about her latest novel ‘Schicksal’.
This was the first time the village had hosted a published author, and the event proved popular with the residents.
During her visit, Ms Jackson outlined the historical perspective of her book and shared her writing journey.
Ms Jackson also hoped to encourage the older generation to write their stories, so they were not lost.
“I see the opportunity to speak as a chance to inspire others to write,” Ms Jackson said.
The residents of Evergreen warmly chatted to Ms Jackson, but were initially reluctant to share their stories.
However, scones and a cuppa loosened the tongues and wonderful anecdotes trickled out.
“We are too modest about our lives,” Ms Jackson said.
“Many of us don’t see them as special.”
The author shared her own insecurities and doubts, admitting her own helplessness when faced with writing the novel, based on her parents’ lives.
‘I didn’t know where to start, but the urge to write wouldn’t leave me alone,’ she said.
The novel took five years to complete.
Ms Jackson believes the concepts underpinning the book- loss, love and hope – are universal.
Her father shared his tales with her when she was a child, but they were not documented until after his death.
By then Jackson was an adult orphan.
“It was a painful time for me, knowing I had no one left to ask.”
The author believes that families should tell their stories, keeping them alive. A time will come, when the younger generation want to know who they are and where they come from.
“Sharing stories is a wonderful way of fostering cross-generational relationships,” she said.
