A MUM-OF-ONE has used lockdown to finish and publish her first book after starting it aged 13, and hopes her story will encourage others to never give up on their dreams.
Many of us have found new skills during lockdown. From baking to drawing rainbows and even raising money through challenges, lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic has given many of us the time to reassess what is important to us.
And for Taylor Walker from Astley, that was finishing a book she started to write aged 13, a crime thriller novel called Dark Blood: The Beginning.
But now her first novel is finally in print and she hopes she can inspire others to never give up on their dreams, regardless of how much time it takes to reach them.
Taylor 24, who has a 17-month-old son called Levi, said: “It came about because my friend said she was writing a book during lockdown and could I help her with it, and then through doing that I remembered my own book I started when I was 13 but never got around to finishing, it was only the start of one really, I wasn't even past Chapter 5.
“So then I just started and all of a sudden I couldn’t stop writing and I finished it, more than 10 years after I started.
“I got in touch with publishers, then decided to self publish and now it is available in paperback and on Kindle.
“I am so proud of myself, it just goes to show that all we need it a little time and something you’ve put off for ages can be done.
“My writing is inspired by Darren Shan and when I met him once he told me it took him years to finish one of his books and writers block was normal, I’m grateful for lockdown really for making me focus my time and getting in done and for his advice.
“Now I’m writing a follow on to it after the amazing feedback. I’m just so happy I’ve done it.
"This book is the first of a three part series and after years of writers block I'm really enjoying writing now."
“I would tell others to never give up, if people tell you you are not going to make it or make anything out of it, ignore them, do not give up, keep trying. I’m so glad I did.”
Dark Blood: The Beginning tells the story of Killian Saunders, a 17-year-old boy who seems to be an ordinary teenager until his family moves to Florida. His struggles with mental illness lead to him being admitted to a psychiatric unit, but there are fatal consequences.
To order a paperback copy of Dark Blood: The Beginning and to find out more, search for Official Taylor Walker on Facebook.
n For more news go to leighjournal.co.uk
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