Snapshot: NATHA L I E BROWN

PAST: Nathalie Brown started writing her first novel at seven and burnt it at age 13 when she learnt the meaning of the word “juvenilia”. She has not written a novel since, but books and writing have always thrilled her. She pursued a career in bookselling and publishing in Sydney and Europe, then worked at the ABC as a radio presenter, documentary-maker and freelance writer before returning to New Zealand in 1991.

She has since been a freelance magazine features writer (read her latest story on page 68), advertising copywriter and oral-history compiler, and all those other jobs a writer has to take on to sustain herself, such as telemarketing and waitressing. She is the author of five non-fiction books, Capturing Mountains, the Life and Art of Austen Deans; Fleur — the Life and Times of the Pioneering Restaurateur, Fleur Sullivan; Dot, Queen of Riverstone Castle; More than Water — the Story of Lake Hood; Mitchells of Parkside and Rosedale. PRESENT: Nathalie lives alone with her toy poodle, Babe, in a four-room worker’s cottage — note the outdoor loo — in Ōamaru. Most of her time is spent writing and reading — primarily non-fiction and poetry these days. She is working on a poetry collection and an ambitious essay. She and her companion, Paul Sinclair, belong to a group that meets three times a week and concentrates on spiritual development and emotional wellbeing. They take long walks over Ōamaru’s Cape Wanbrow and often share meals together in the evening.

FUTURE: Besides the freelance features, poetry and essay projects, Nathalie’s work folder includes two partially written children’s stories. There’s plenty to be getting on with in the coming year or two. She is also establishing a native bush garden on a steep slope at the back of her quarteracre section and has had a landscape plan drawn up for her tiny front garden.