Resident's novel based on childhood experience Newman describes The Clearing as a look back at one's past by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 17 | Wednesday, March 26, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The act of writing has always been comforting and therapeutic for Oakville resident Dan Newman. It was a constant for him while growing up as he moved from one place to another because of his father's work. "Writing is a real comfort area for me," said the 47-year-old who recently published his first novel The Clearing. "I've been writing either in pursuit of a novel or otherwise for a very long time." Newman, who has a masters in Journalism from Queensland University of Technology in Australia, caught a break landing a publishing deal after trying for 15 years to sell his work. With the help of a New York City agent, he said publisher Exhibit A Books picked up The Clearing, which was published in October and a second novel of his called The Journalist is set to be released in the fall. In North America, the books are distributed by Random House. Newman, who has lived in northern Oakville for the last 12 years, admits it has been quite the learning process for him, one that requires persistence, perseverance and a strong will to get through. If you're writing to chase a dollar or to be famous you're really chasing up the wrong tree... It's the pursuit of passion as opposed to anything else. If you're in it for other reasons I think you'll be in it for a fairly short amount of time. Dan Newman Oakville author Looking back at the first few novels he wrote, he noted he still enjoys the stories, but also sees the flaws that don't quite make the works publishing ready. But for Newman, writing isn't about getting the paycheque. "If you're writing to chase a dollar or to be famous you're really chasing up the wrong tree," he said. "It's the pursuit of passion as opposed to anything else," continued Newman, who works as the director of corporate communications for a Toronto company. "If you're in it for other reasons I think you'll be in it for a fairly short amount of time." The Clearing tells the story of journalist Nate Mason who returns to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia to face his terrifying childhood memories that continue to haunt him. As the son of a diplomat and part of an elite social circle, his innocence was lost when he and four boys went into a decaying jungle and only three made it out after what they all believed was an encounter with a mythical monster. In search of answers, Nate returns to the island with the eerie feeling he's being followed. Newman describes the psychological thriller as a look back at one's past. "Your past is there and if you leave it unaddressed, it will inform every form of your life," he said. "It's about being a grown up and recognizing that youth and the youth you went through is really the root system that feeds the lives you're going to grow into." The core of the novel is based on Newman's own childhood experience living in St. Lucia. As the son of an international development worker, he said he was fortunate enough to be taken all around the world, including parts of South Africa and Lesotho, between the ages of seven and 14. "While I was there, there were pretty formative experiences that happened including a weekend I spent in an old plantation out in the bush in St. Lucia and the 11, 12 year old me had an encounter with what we all believed was a supernatural creature," he said, noting that folklore in St. Lucia identifies the creature as bolum, a devilish creature that protects estates. He said it was a scary experience that has stayed with him. "It's fiction obviously, but it leans heavily on experiences I had as a youngster growing up," he said about his novel. Newman is now working on a sequel to The Clearing and plans to also do a prequel to complete the package. The Clearing is available at major bookstores such as Chapters Indigo and online by visiting www.amazon.ca. For more information about Newman, visit www.dannewmanbooks.com. Oakville resident Dan Newman has released his first novel The Clearing. Inset is the cover of the psychological thriller. | submitted photo MARCH 28 TO 30 ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS Royal Botanical Gardens 680 Plains Rd W Burlington, ON & FREE PARKING ACCESS TO THE GARDENS! 10am-5pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday & · Check out the Ultimate Backyard feature by Northern Landscaping · Meet societies and clubs bs · Plant Sale Get Yours Now! Visit our website for details Limited quantities RAIN BARREL SALE MEET FRANKIE FLOWERS! Saturday March 29th For more information or to book space call: 905-842-6591 x 245 RBGGardenShow RBGGardenShow A DIVISION OF outdoorlivingandgardenshow.com