Member-only story
About Me — Naomi Shippen
Finding the courage to share my story
Stories have always been an important part of my life, but it was not until recent years that I began writing my own. I had always wanted to pursue a career in writing, but never knew where to start, and couldn’t seem to find the right time to begin. When I realised that there is no “right time,” I simply sat down and put pen to paper, and haven’t looked back.
Background
I am from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, where I have lived all my life. I am an eldest daughter, lapsed Catholic, and mother to two adult sons. The last few years have been interesting to say the least and have shaken my long-held belief that playing by the rules will be rewarded.
In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, my thirty-year marriage came to an end, and I had to start my life again with nothing (you can read about it here). It was a devastating, tumultuous time, but it has also helped me grow as a writer.
The isolation of lockdown and my tsunami of unprocessed emotions created the perfect storm for me to write my debut novel. Far From Harm is about an aspiring writer who comes to realise the man she married is not who she thinks he is, and that she and her unborn child are in danger. While the circumstances of this novel are fictional, I drew…