Author Fenella Miller on teaching, writing and 100 books

She told herself if she was a published writer before the age of 60, that would be pretty good going after a career as a teacher, which would often see her work 60-hour weeks abolishing all hopes of any free time.

And so the now 76-year-old embarked on her dream, taking early retirement in 2004 – a decision which would see her have two books published two weeks before her 60th birthday.

Since then the author, who lives in Weeley Heath, has gone on to write almost 100 books, mainly focusing on Second World War sagas and Regency romance adventures.

It is a feat the Fenella in her twenties couldn’t have begun to imagine.

“It’s always what I’ve wanted to do,” she explained. “When I was in my twenties at home with young children, I wrote about six books in long hand in pencil on whatever pieces of paper I could find.

“I never had any desire to publish them as my life was too busy, it was simply a process I enjoyed.

“When I retired as a Year 6 teacher in 2004, however, I never looked back.”

Now a bestselling author, Fenella made £60,000 from her books last year and is still going strong, with the new release of The War Girls of Goodwill House hitting the bookshelves this month.

But it hasn’t been an easy ride for the writer, who suffered a tragic ending to the most tumultuous of years in 2020.

Novel - Fenella Miller's latest book, released this month

Her beloved husband, who had vascular dementia, died of Covid on Boxing Day, before her close friend Maureen, another writer, died two weeks later.

“I couldn’t see my husband when he was dying in hospital and we couldn’t give him a proper funeral,” Fenella explained.

“Writing has kept me sane, it keeps me going.

“In the mornings when I need something to get me out of bed, having books to write inspires me.

“I don’t think I would still be mentally competent without writing.

“Other people have knitting and sewing, but putting pen to paper is just what I do.

“You just don’t know how many days you have left and I want to make the most of each and every one.”

There was to be a shimmer of light amid the darkness which started Fenella’s 2021, however, after she was headhunted by independent publisher Boldwood.

She was offered an eight-book contract to write a Second World War series set in an old house next to Manston RAF base in Kent.

Fenella added: “I needed something positive to hang onto in those difficult weeks and having a new publisher was exactly what I wanted.

“I think I might well be the oldest writer with Boldwood, but they have faith in me.

“I did point out to the CEO that I might fall off my perch before I’ve completed my eight books, but she said she had every confidence I’d still be writing when I’m 90 - I do hope she’s right.

“My dream now is to see my books turned into a film or television show.

“I thought getting my books on bookshelves was an impossible dream, but I achieved it. Perhaps this could be my next challenge.

“It is never too late to achieve your dreams.

“My royalties from books last year are double what I used to get as a top-of-the-scale teacher and I’m living my dream.”

l You can purchase Fenella Miller’s latest book via amzn.to/3HZBFDV.

-

We're offering a free one month trial to the Gazette website this month. For all the latest Colchester and north Essex news and fascinating features subscribe today. To find out more click here.