Matilda Meikle is a 21-year-old debut author from Sydney, and the Deputy Editor of TrulyAus magazine.
She sat down with Publisher Michelle Hespe to discuss her journey to publication and what her first novel, The Way We Once Were, means to her.
What made you decide that you wanted to write this book, and did it come naturally to you?
I decided to write The Way We Once Were when I was in my final year of high school, trying to come to terms with my sexuality while also dealing with crippling OCD. I often find solace in literary characters that reflect my real-world experience, but when I turned to the shelves, I couldn’t find a book that tackled these issues. So I decided to write it myself.
Surprisingly, the words flowed out of me naturally. I guess it was the story I was supposed to tell.
Were you concerned about putting yourself and your anxiety and inner self out there into the world, and how did that feel?
I was – and still am – nervous about the vulnerabilities in the book. While I’m not the protagonist, Maggie, we do share similar traits, and that feels exposing. I remind myself that there may be another teenager out there who finds themselves in the pages, and that always makes me feel better.
Did you always think you would be a writer, or did you have other aspirations?
I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. In fact, I still have short stories that I wrote when I was five years old. Every single one starred a boy named Jack, and I really hope I can bring him back one day.
What did you learn about yourself while writing and editing?
I learned a lot through the process of writing this book.
It took about two years after the first draft to get it to a place where I felt ready to submit to publishers, and that definitely taught me a lot of patience. Most of all, writing this book taught me to back myself and believe that what I have to say is important.
What was your writing process like, and what advice would you give to other young authors?
I begin every story with brainstorms. This means character webs, Spotify playlists and a lot of dot points.
Then I transform this into a three-act structure, before I finally begin writing. My biggest piece of advice for young authors is to find a process that works for you. Writing is not a one-size-fits-all, and it may take some experimenting to figure out how you like to plan and draft.
Do you think society has evolved adequately when it comes to accepting people and all of their differences, or do you think we still have a long way to go?
In the last few decades, there has been a lot of positive change towards accepting diversity. As a butch lesbian, I feel safe walking through the city with my girlfriend, and that’s such a privilege. But there are still minority groups who are being targeted for their difference, such as trans and Indigenous individuals. And until we are all accepted for who we are, we can’t stop fighting for change.
Do you have anyone who is an inspiration to you, that has helped you to be where you are now?
There are so many incredible people who inspire me. Melina Marchetta, author of Looking for Alibrandi, and Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, are probably my biggest literary inspirations for this book. But by far, my biggest inspirations are my parents. They both work in the film industry, so our household has always loved good stories. And I continue to carry that love with me.
What is your goal from here?
More books! I am currently drafting my second novel, which is quite a different experience but just as exciting. I want to share as many great stories as possible.
Loving this interview with Matilda Meikle? To read our interview with author Miriam Webster, click here.