Author Marion Hughes visited Foster and Mirboo North libraries to discuss her psychological thriller trilogy Dark Illusions.
Marion gave us a fascinating talk on her writing journey and her life experiences, which she now draws on, along with a very fertile imagination, to produce her tales. Book 1 Watch Your Back was released in 2021. Book 2 I’m Back is a brand new release and will be added to the Myli catalogue soon. Marion is currently working on the third and final book in the trilogy which will be titled The Girl in the Background. Marion is a former English teacher and is based in the beautiful Mornington Peninsula.
Marion shared stories that enthralled the audience, including one very funny story about working in an isolated food shop making steak sandwiches from 6-12pm to a rough crowd, with enough training to only tell her how to use the burners and the cash register! Then there was the night in the freezing African desert when she wandered away from camp for the call of nature without waking guides and promptly could not tell where the campsite was, as the fire had burned down so low. Long story short, she wandered back and forth, becoming totally disoriented for what felt like the entire night, when suddenly, some embers flew up from the almost extinguished fire to help direct her back to camp. She settled in and went back to sleep. Upon waking the following day, she told the guides, having a little chuckle, only to be informed that night is the most dangerous time out there when all the nocturnal predators prowl around!
Another tale involved the trip to Mauritius with her travelling companion, who she describes as her long-suffering friend because Marion only ever wants to go to somewhat off-the-tourist-track locations. Landing in a small airport in a remote area and only having a choice of the one “taxi” to take them to the hotel, Marion told the story of them being driven along a remote stretch of road. They came upon what looked like an abandoned building with bars on the windows and thought, ‘what have we got ourselves into this time’? Only for the car to stop and the man bringing his family out to meet them and show them around his family home!
Marion talked about the fascinating process that helps her to join the threads of her stories together in her mind, and how her real-life stories can make their way into her books. For example, a family near-miss formed the story of the tragic accident which starts the first book. Our audiences enjoyed the events immensely and we all hope Marion will come to visit us at Myli again soon.
Comments