Bethany and the Bookish Realm; How one Teen penned a Fantasy World before her GCSEs!
BETHANY AND THE BOOKISH REALM
How One Teen Penned a Fantasy World Before GCSEs.
by Danielle Murphy
The average age of a debut novelist is 36. Most authors don’t get a book published before the age of 30 but one teen in Cumbria is squashing those statistics after publishing not one but two books all before the age of 16!
Bethany Lawson from Whitehaven wrote her first book at the age of 13.
Amnesia, a fantasy novel written entirely by Bethany was published last year. She has since gone on to publish a second book in the series with no signs of slowing down, she said: “Amnesia was the first book I’d ever written or attempted to write properly. It all started because I had a dream and thought if I don’t write this down I’ll forget it and then it just snowballed.”
Being an avid reader and self proclaimed book worm from a young age, Bethany has always found an escape in the magical worlds of her favourite books.
Starting on books like the Harry Potter series and the Percy Jackson series, she was enthralled by the worlds the authors created. Bethany said: “I always found it fascinating how the authors not only create characters, but how they conjure entire universes with their own laws, physics and magic systems. When I was writing my books I had to do it myself and really enjoyed the freedom, I realised when I wanted to change something I could, I had total control and could make it exactly as I wanted.”
Bethany has now released her second book in the series titled ‘Elders’ and is hopeful to continue the series, she said: “My vision is a five book series and then look at where I want to take it from there. At the moment I am focussing on getting through my GCSE exams, but the books do provide an escape and a break from the real world.”
“It all started because I had a dream and thought if I don’t write this down I’ll forget it and then it just snowballed.”
Alongside her family who have been extremely supportive throughout the whole process, she also had a lot of support from her teachers who had no idea she was even writing a book, Beth said: “I waited until I had a printed copy and just went in and handed it to my English teacher. They didn’t actually believe me at first but when they realised it was real they were really supportive.”
Beth finished with: “When I started writing the first book, I didn’t really think about publishing any time soon because of my age. When I was turned down by multiple publishing houses because of my age I decided I would just self-publish. It was actually quite straightforward and I’m glad that I did it. I would say to anyone who is writing or considering having something they have written published, just go for it.”
There’s no age limit on creativity and Bethany has proved that age really is just a number, if you are determined and back yourself you can do anything.
If you are looking for your next fantasy escape then buy Beth’s book and enter the realm of Patriem yourself: Buy the books, available from Amazon.co.uk
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