Well Lily in the Mirror has been out in the world and good news, she grew and grew into an omnibus of trilogy proportions.
All Aboard the Lily Omnibus, Destination–Imagination
The Lily Trilogy grew like a pack of sea monkeys except better. When I had finished the first book, Lily in the Mirror (CBCA Notable 2017), I started the second and got a third of the way through, but then I put it to the side to focus on my YA novels and life. When covid hit, I got Lily in Full Bloom back out and finished it off but happily I was not finished, and I wrote Lily in a Pickle very quickly while still having time for my Facebook addiction. Still a fine line. Lily in a Pickle was very significant for me as I wrote it with my Indigenous friend Zoey in mind. She is my sporty character, Cat Quinn. No, Cat is not short for Catherine, her mum really loves cats. As does Zoey. I couldn’t follow the train of thought I had originally devised but we will get to your story one day.
Cate my publisher was her supportive lovely self as usual, and it was the best fun to work with her. It was her idea to bind up the books into three as the time between the Lilies was lengthy and the students who had enjoyed her would, by now, have found their mum’s hidden copy of Flowers in the Attic and experiencing a different type of family mystery.
And so today, my Lilies hit the world I thank all those who helped me. Especially Liz Perrott, (who would have been known as Mrs. Thomas M Perrot back in 1947– it’s an in joke–read the book). Liz held my hand through my virtual life and my real life which was no mean feat and I just want her to know she is #awesome#amazeballs#iamtotallygrateful#blessed.
Magic Surrealism seems to be my thing. My YA novels (please somebody publish them) all have the supernatural running through them as my characters wade through their trying, sometimes cheerless reality. The wonderful thing about an omnibus trilogy is that these issues and themes can be pulled out and examined in depth in various historical contexts, in contrasting social contexts and family inter dynamics. It makes the experience juicier, (Lily would hate that word) just like the perfect fig, further grounding and reflecting real life.
For Lily walks between loneliness, sibling bullying, lost in a large family. Initially her best friends are the gang from the Harry Potter books, keeping her ever constant gnawing anxiety at bay, even if it’s only for a few chapters. But with each magical adventure her confidence and her people skills grow and bloom until she’s firmly in the heart of a kindred group of besties. Even experiencing the endorphins of her first crush, Clive Quinn, speed knitter bookworm extraordinaire whose chiselled chin and homemade beany worn on the most rakish angle intrigue and excite Lily. And of course the return of Edgar Pommeroy, pudding head!
I hope that Lily Griffin gives hope and comfort to all the anxious little beans out there. We need it as we bloom.
