Maree F Roberts - Author
It was New Year's Day on the West Coast of Tasmania and I was in my grandparent's front yard, swinging my way around the tree ferns that had been transplanted from the rain-soaked mountains at the back of the town. I remember saying to myself, I can't believe this is 1967. I felt so grown up. Among the glistening ferns, a bright future seemed to be ahead. I couldn't wait to turn seven in April.
At ten, I started writing. By thirteen I thought I would - certainly, almost definitely- make a career as a writer. I edited school newspapers and even had a story published in the local Hobart newspaper. By early adulthood, I had short stories and the beginnings of some novels under my belt. Among other things, I had found a love of history, something I majored in at university.
I kept writing. I submitted stories to competitions. I set a new goal- to work part time by the age of forty, so that I could pursue my writing passion. That milestone passed, but I kept writing, fitting it in between work and playing music and sewing and supporting causes and seeing friends and family and making a film and travel and... I had a lot to show for the 'in-between' writing effort- two finished novels, a few unfinished ones and around 20 short stories.
It was February 2020 and I had two more novels on the go. It became clear that the pandemic wasn't going away. I set myself a new goal, to finish one of the novels by the end of the year so that at least I could use that time positively, when all around was uncertain and negative.
I almost made it.
But it's done now. You will find the links to that historical fiction novel and some short stories for you to enjoy at my Fiction page.
Nothing I've ever done or experienced is wasted. Not one thing.
It's all there in my writing, which continues, just like breathing in and breathing out.
It was New Year's Day on the West Coast of Tasmania and I was in my grandparent's front yard, swinging my way around the tree ferns that had been transplanted from the rain-soaked mountains at the back of the town. I remember saying to myself, I can't believe this is 1967. I felt so grown up. Among the glistening ferns, a bright future seemed to be ahead. I couldn't wait to turn seven in April.
At ten, I started writing. By thirteen I thought I would - certainly, almost definitely- make a career as a writer. I edited school newspapers and even had a story published in the local Hobart newspaper. By early adulthood, I had short stories and the beginnings of some novels under my belt. Among other things, I had found a love of history, something I majored in at university.
I kept writing. I submitted stories to competitions. I set a new goal- to work part time by the age of forty, so that I could pursue my writing passion. That milestone passed, but I kept writing, fitting it in between work and playing music and sewing and supporting causes and seeing friends and family and making a film and travel and... I had a lot to show for the 'in-between' writing effort- two finished novels, a few unfinished ones and around 20 short stories.
It was February 2020 and I had two more novels on the go. It became clear that the pandemic wasn't going away. I set myself a new goal, to finish one of the novels by the end of the year so that at least I could use that time positively, when all around was uncertain and negative.
I almost made it.
But it's done now. You will find the links to that historical fiction novel and some short stories for you to enjoy at my Fiction page.
Nothing I've ever done or experienced is wasted. Not one thing.
It's all there in my writing, which continues, just like breathing in and breathing out.
Maree Roberts- Workplace and Career Coach and Consultant
I did make a career as a writer, just not in the way I expected.
I forged a long career in the public sector, mostly in the health area. I became good at two things which make me proud of my career- my written work and my ability to build relationships. In both of those, you need to be able to articulate your thoughts and wishes and bring people along with you. Whether you want to get people to engage with a report or to influence them through connection, similar skills are needed- to imagine what other people might want or need, to craft a story which will carry people where you need to take them.
To help people reflect: good writing can do that, whether its novel or a project report.
So can good conversation.
I love to chat! I trained as a workplace coach a number of years ago. Coaching is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in my work life. I love to see the reflection that's unlocked, the confusion of stress becoming clarity of thought.
I am not only a coach. I have forty years' experience as a public sector manager, executive and project director, with a wealth of successful projects completed.
All of that and more is covered in detail on my Workplace Coach and Consultant page, which also contains a more detailed CV.
I did make a career as a writer, just not in the way I expected.
I forged a long career in the public sector, mostly in the health area. I became good at two things which make me proud of my career- my written work and my ability to build relationships. In both of those, you need to be able to articulate your thoughts and wishes and bring people along with you. Whether you want to get people to engage with a report or to influence them through connection, similar skills are needed- to imagine what other people might want or need, to craft a story which will carry people where you need to take them.
To help people reflect: good writing can do that, whether its novel or a project report.
So can good conversation.
I love to chat! I trained as a workplace coach a number of years ago. Coaching is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in my work life. I love to see the reflection that's unlocked, the confusion of stress becoming clarity of thought.
I am not only a coach. I have forty years' experience as a public sector manager, executive and project director, with a wealth of successful projects completed.
All of that and more is covered in detail on my Workplace Coach and Consultant page, which also contains a more detailed CV.