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5 tr wr 4 Siigog Citizen Tuesday, July 15,1963 4 Scugog author publishes romance novel Like a lot ig people, Julie * McClure had an idea for a novel bouncing around in her head. But unlike most would-be authors, this Scugog resident decided to do something about it. She sat down at the computer and eight weeks later, "Cecilia," an historical romance was out in rough form--all 544 pages. ; "I was afraid I would not have, enough pages," said the former hairdresser with a laugh last week as she talked to the Citizen about her first novel and her aspirations as a writer. The eight weeks of writing in the afternoons and late evenings was the easy part. McClure spent the better part of a year re-writing, editing and polishing the novel. She then discovered that blishers aren't int ted in first-time novelists no matter how good the work may be. Un-daunted, McClure d to put up the money herself to have "Cecilia" published, and on Monday 3,000 paper-back dad copies arrived at her rural " home just south of Port Perry. Pt Pony uf it Sow : 10 AM 10 5 PM - SATURDAY & SUNDAY, -+7]| AUGUST 7th and 8th, 1993 S Arena Adults $2.00; Children $1.00; Under 12 Free Information (416) 985-8840 FFI Dr. Kevin Dunkerley @Dr. Lionel. McTague ko, Orthodontist Dr. Robert Bo Complete Family Dental Care ® Dentistry for Adults & Children B INSURANCE ASSIGNMENT ACCEPTED (we collect from insurance companies) 8 PAYMENT PLANS ARRANGED 8 SENIOR CITIZENS B EVENING APONTNENTS BNEW PATIENTS WELCOME Ty ' "oC AY 9 FREE ®14 Bey Trials® FREE @ Hearing Tests FREE ® Hearing'Aid Checkups INTERES Hearing Aid Payment Plans | 985-8459 462 PAXTON ST. (across from Port Perry Comunity Hospital) a So, what's the book all about? It's set in the late 19 century in England where the heroine "Cecilia" works as a maid-for a wealthy family. She falls in love with Lord Turner Collingwood, but when his upper crust family finds out about this liason, his father buys him a commission in the British Army and has him shipped off to colonial India. McClure said the novel covers 20 years in the lives of Lord Turner and Cecilia and the plot has numerous sneaky twists and un-expected turns. "I made a real effort not to be predigtable," said the author who lives with her husband Harris and their. two young daughters. While she did the writing, she credits her husband with helping assure historical accuracy. A history buff, Harris spent many hours in the Scugog Library researching Providers for All Insurance Plans ... including Veterans and WCB! CITY HEARING AID CENTRE ... Serving the Hearirlg Impaired in the Kawarthas for 20 Years! so and now serving the Scugog Area with our 'New Port Perry Office! 462 PAXTON STREET, PORT PERRY 985-3166 (opposite Port Perry Comimunity Hospital) REGISTERED, MINISTRY of HEALTH, A.D.P ' day trial based on testing and tecommendations at City Hearing Aid Centre only." * Irsigge ris only. Victorian England, India and Australia; the main locales in the book. * Like any romance novel worth its title, this one has plenty of action (tiger hunts, duels, murders, battles) unsavoury villains, a parade of interesting characters, exotic settings, and of course the romance between the two, heros. "Yes, it has a happy ending," said McClure. But aside from that, she would not say exactly how the ending is a happy one. It's not cheap paying to have one's novel printed and McClure admits she had doubts whether she should take this gamble. But she's looking at the future. With a second book "Heather" set in Scotland, just about finished, she is hoping to convince a publisher to take this one, if "Cecilia" enjoys popular success. McClure says if all 3,000 copies of "Cecilia" are sold, she will break even on the publishing costs." The jacket of the book features a full-colour illustration of the two heroes duced from a painting by Ashburn artist Fran Usher, a part time teacher at Port Perry High School. » With the 3,000 copies now off the press, McClure is working to market the novel and will be holding a book signing session July 17 at Books Galore in Port Perry from 11 AM to 2:00 PM. Numerous stores in the g and Oshawa areas have already agreed to stock the book which retails at $6.99. McClure describes herself as a "moderate reader," and picks up romance novels only for "light reading." But her interest in writing goes back to high school where she excelled in English. Several people who read the manuscript said "Cecelia™ is a "good read," .and those kind of comments boosted her confidence. As for aspiring writers with a novel in their heads or a manuscript tucked away in a drawer, McClure has a few words of advice: "Don't give up. Don't get discouraged. Make sure you get un-biased opinigns. Get yourself an honest critic." McClure said she has no' dolibts about the quality of book, but self-publishing has been scary. COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN. ACTION - SCUGOG UBRARY + and PARKS & RECREATION Big Screen Entertainment "Walt Disney Classics™ THURS., JULY 15th - 1 PM Port Perry, United Church ~~ ® "PETER PAN" FRIDAY, JULY 16th - 7 PM Blackstock Old Town Hall oo. $2. General Adm. at the Door. = Bring Your Own Popcom & Pop!