AUTHOR DIARIES WITH BRIDGET VAN DER EYK
Growing up in Armidale NSW, Bridget Van der Eyk always dreamed of being an author. Now a self-published author with a debut novel and another up her sleeve, Bridget shares a little about herself, one of her favourite books and gives some advice to aspiring writers.
Tell us a little about yourself…
My name is Bridget Van der Eyk. I’m 34 years old and I grew up in Armidale, NSW. By day I’m a high school science teacher and by night a contemporary romance author. I had the idea for my first novel when I was 18 years old, but it wasn’t until I was on maternity leave with my daughter that I finally had the time to finish and publish 10 Dates, my debut novel.
What does writing and being an author mean to you?
To me, being an author is about getting a story from your mind onto paper and then sharing it with other people – which is both thrilling and terrifying. I’ve been writing stories since I was in primary school, but I wasn’t confident enough to actually finish and publish my work until my thirties.
What inspires you?
I read once that the best thing an author can do is write from experience, so I try to do that. I’m inspired by so many things in my life – the people I’ve met, the places I’ve been, and the things that have happened to me, so that’s what I like to use in my stories.
Where can we find your book?
10 Dates is currently available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook on Amazon worldwide. You can also find signed paperback copies at Reader’s Companion, in Armidale.. My next book 3000 Words (the sequel to 10 Dates) is scheduled for release this December.
What’s your favourite book/author of all time and why?
I’m usually a contemporary romance reader, however, I recently read a new release fantasy/romance novel Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and it’s been living rent free in my mind ever since. Definitely one of my favourite books I’ve ever read!
If you could give someone one piece of advice about becoming an author, what would it be?
The first leap is getting the first draft done – I’ve spoken to so many aspiring authors who have multiple first drafts sitting on their computers unfinished. In my opinion, the first draft is always the hardest part, so my advice would be to push through and get it done because everything after that is easy!
Find Bridget’s novel 10 Dates here.
10datesnovel.com
@10datesnovel
