Episode #30
The Harvest Always Comes”: Maree Deeley on Love, Life and Never Giving Up
In this edition of Author Conversations, I meet author, artist, poet and therapist Maree Deeley to talk about her novel The Harvest Always Comes – and I discover that there's a very personal story behind that title. Maree grew up around farming and remembers her great-uncle facing difficult seasons with a simple conviction: “the harvest always comes”. It was a phrase that stayed with her, one she later passed on to her own family and which eventually became the title of her first novel. And in many ways, it fits the story perfectly. The Harvest Always Comes follows Felicity and Richard, a couple whose youthful love has gradually given way to distance and routine. Then Mario enters Felicity's world and something begins to change. I particularly enjoyed Maree's description of Mario during our conversation. She compares life to granite, with Mario becoming the mica or feldspar that suddenly makes it sparkle. For Felicity, his arrival is an awakening. But our conversation goes well beyond the novel. Maree has spent many years working as a psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, life coach and healer, so I wanted to know how that understanding of human behaviour finds its way into her characters and relationships. We also talk about the very different ways readers respond to the same story. Maree tells me about an older reader for whom the novel brought back memories of Scotland and Aberdeen, while a much younger reader discovered something entirely different in it. And Maree's creativity certainly doesn't stop with writing. She painted the artwork for the book cover herself, she writes poetry and she's also a musician with nine albums already released and another on the way. Then there's her next novel, Eyes of Innocence. It's a very different and potentially much more challenging book. Maree tells me why she's tackling some difficult contemporary subjects, why she believes the story could eventually work on screen and why she has no intention of slowing down creatively. Perhaps that's what stayed with me most from this conversation. Maree talks about persistence, self-belief and continuing with something even when other people don't necessarily believe in what you're doing. Sometimes you have to keep planting the seeds. Because the harvest always comes. WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW: https://youtu.be/_Ce7MVMt840 MORE ABOUT MAREE DEELEY: http://www.author-conversations.com/maree-deeley Author Conversations is presented by broadcast journalist Chris Dabbs, bringing authors and their stories into professionally produced, in-depth conversations. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/author-conversations-with-chris-dabbs--6905413/support . Every book has a story beyond its pages. In Author Conversations , broadcast journalist, presenter and newsreader Chris Dabbs sits down with the writers behind some of today’s most fascinating books to uncover the research, experiences and ideas that never made it onto the printed page. Featuring bestselling and emerging authors from around the world, each episode goes beyond the blurb to explore the real stories behind the writing. From untold historical discoveries and groundbreaking scientific research to personal journeys, business insights, faith, true crime and the human experience, every conversation is designed to inform, challenge and inspire. Drawing on more than two decades of professional interviewing across radio, television and digital journalism, Chris creates thoughtful, in-depth conversations that give authors the time and space to tell the stories that matter most. Whether you’re searching for your next great read, fascinated by the creative process or simply enjoy intelligent, long-form conversations, Author Conversations offers a unique opportunity to discover the people, ideas and experiences behind remarkable books. Real authors. Real stories. Real conversations.
