Masham resident Becky Farnell has put pen to paper and created a fantastic short story that is already creating quite a stir.
Becky’s dark fantasy centres around the lead character, Persephone, and takes readers on a unique and intriguing journey. Stemming from a tragic accident, Persephone is given a gift and a new sense of purpose but what price must be paid, and what damage can be caused along the way?
Becky woke one morning with the entire story in her head and after running the idea past her friends and family she began to write, completing a chapter a day until the book was finished. This was all whilst studying Psychology with the Open University, where Becky spent six years working towards and ultimately achieving her degree. A true testament to her discipline and self motivation to succeed.
Having recently published the book, it is now available to purchase on Amazon with some fantastic reviews already flooding in. Becky has also hidden copies in various locations for people to discover and enjoy, adding a little adventure. There is one very special signed copy hidden right here in the Community Office for a lucky reader to find and take home completely free of charge.
Becky has also left a small number of copies at the Community Office for local residents to purchase, with 10% from each MCO sale being donated back to our community projects, a very kind and generous gesture. Becky already does a lot to support the community office with her social media and digital skills, so it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate her achievement and support her first book.
We’d like to wish Becky every success and having heard there may be more to come, we’re already looking forward to Part Two of the Persephone adventures!!
Hear what Becky had to say below and follow the link to discover more about the book – Click here
From a Story in My Head to Persephone - A note from Becky
I never set out to become a writer. In fact, I’m probably far too impatient for it! But somehow, Persephone just happened.
I woke up one morning with the entire story in my head from beginning to end, including the twists and turns. I told my husband, and his genuine look of surprise at the idea made me wonder whether I might actually have something. I then told a few other people, including my mum, who agreed that perhaps I did.
So, I started writing.
I wrote a chapter a day. What began as an idea became a story, and eventually a book. I think my ability to sit down and actually finish it came from the six years I spent studying Psychology with the Open University. Studying at that level teaches you discipline and consistency because, ultimately, nobody is standing over you telling you to get the work done. You have to make yourself do it.
Writing was never part of my plan, although I had always loved to write poetry when I was younger and I have always been drawn to Dark Fantasy. Some of my favourite filmmakers are Tim Burton, M. Night Shyamalan and Guillermo del Toro, so perhaps the strange, dark and supernatural was always lurking somewhere in my imagination!
What I never expected was the reaction to Persephone.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and some of the most touching moments have come from right here in the local community. I have had cards posted through my door from local people who had shared the book with one another and simply wanted to tell me how much they enjoyed it. As an author, I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.
The most interesting thing I have discovered from readers is that, although Persephone is undeniably dark, people have often told me that they finished it with a feeling of hope and even a different perspective on life and death. That was never something I expected, but it has become one of the things I love most about the response to the book.
Persephone is a novella, deliberately written to be fast-paced and engaging rather than a huge commitment. I wanted to create something that a busy mum, a working professional or a commuter could pick up and escape into for a couple of hours a story that pulls you in, keeps you turning the pages and, hopefully, leaves you wanting more.
The Amazon reviews have included comments such as “I couldn’t put it down” and “Beautifully written”, which still feels rather surreal to me.
And then, completely unexpectedly, Persephone gave me another story.
I never intended to write a sequel. Then one day, that story appeared in my head again. Persephone: The Reason She Exists is now finished and I am currently proof-reading it. It takes the story somewhere darker and more consuming, but my intention is that it will once again leave readers emotional and ultimately with a sense of hope.
And it seems writing may not be finished with me yet. I already have ideas for several more novellas.
Perhaps short stories really are the future. In a world where everyone seems to be rushing from one thing to the next, who has the time to spend weeks immersed in a huge novel?
I’d rather give you a dark little world you can disappear into for a few hours… …and leave you wishing you hadn’t reached the final page.
That, for me, is what Persephone is all about.
