She’s loved to write since she was a child, author Geraldine Ryan-Lush says. But the Newfoundland author only began seriously considering getting published much later in life.
“When I went to college it used to cross my mind, but, you know, life happened, and I got married and had children and went teaching and so on and so forth,” she said.
One day, she happened to come across a book about how to write for children.
“I picked it up and I started going through it, and that’s how it all started,” she says.
After writing several children’s books, she sent them to some of the biggest publishers she could think of — Penguin Random House, for instance — more than 25 years ago. And while her first attempts weren’t accepted, she was motivated to write more.
“They praised them very generously and said (to) keep them coming,” she said. “If publishers like that like my stuff, I’m going to keep going.”
Her first book was “Jeremy Jeckles Hates Freckles,” published in 1992.
Since then, Ryan-Lush has written 18 books in a variety of styles for a variety of age groups.
“Picture books, junior novels, young adult novels, adult novels,” she says.
She’s also written three poetry books for children, as well as a collection of poetry for college-aged readers and older.
It can be hard to keep up with how many she’s written, she says, as she suddenly remembers a fourth rhyming story for children she had forgotten to mention.
“You know something … I’m addicted, that’s true,” she said. “I can’t live without it, I just love to write. Once I started, it just (became) a real passion.”
Recently, three of her books have won the Canada Book Award, a “program (that) recognizes Canadian books for their creative achievement and contribution to the world,” according to the Canada Book Award website.
The awards are for the novels “The Seashell’s Lament,” and “The Gravel Pit Kids,” as well as children’s book, “Goodbye Wart!”
1. What is your full name?
Geraldine Anne Ryan-Lush.
2. Where and when were you born?
I was born in St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s Bay, in 1949.
3. Where do you live today?
Mount Pearl.
4. What’s your favourite place in the world?
I’ve done a fair amount of travelling but I have to say, and a lot of people agree with this, my favourite place is right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. And not solely because it’s my home and native land, but it’s beautiful, remarkable, unique and it has such a long history.
I tend to gravitate toward the Conception Bay area, the Brigus area, because that’s where my mother’s roots are. I like the Bonavista Peninsula because it’s so historic, there’s so much to learn there. I’ve been there a number of times, but I keep going back.
5. Who do you follow on social media?
People who are humanistic and care about others and the wellbeing of others catch my eye and people who like to do something about it. I’m kind of civic minded in that way.
Artistically, I follow other authors in my fields and artists and so on. I do like the work of Grant Boland, he’s a local artist. I’m very much impressed with his work … he’s amazing.
6. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I think people would be surprised to know or learn I sing. When I say I sing, I go around — at least I did until this COVID thing happened — to these sites, these heritage places, and I perform in front of an audience. And I can sing a mean country song. I don’t think I come across as a person who sings country songs, but then again. Patsy Cline, all the old singers, the old stars from my generation. Now, I love all music, don’t get me wrong. I love blues and jazz and everything. I love music period. I just really like belting out Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.
7. What’s been your favourite year and why?
My children, of course, the years they were born are my favourite years (1976 and 1979). I think anybody would agree with that, anybody who has children. The children come first above everything.
8. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
I went back to finish my education degree when my kids were very, very small. That was a real challenge, but I had a lot of help and did it. I got it done.
9. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
Everybody needs something to be interested in and I’m glad I started writing. I think that changed my life, when I started realizing that I could write for publication. It boded well for my future (and) it gives you a purpose. I don’t know what I’d do without it. I just really like what I do.
10. What’s your greatest indulgence?
In food, I think my biggest indulgence is … Newfoundland berries. Partridgeberries, blueberries (and) bake apples when you can get them. Anything that they’re cooked in or baked in, I just love anything with Newfoundland berries.
I like to browse in consignment stores and antique stores. It’s so creative and you don’t know what you’re going to find, there’s surprises all along the way.
11. What is your favourite movie or book?
Right now, I’m re-reading (author of “Anne of Green Gables”) Lucy Maud Montgomery’s journals. Now, there’s six of those written from the time she was 14 years old and they’re something. You’re reading the journals of something who lived in the 1800s, you know. She was born in 1874 so you’re following this teenager in that time period before she developed into who she became after. That’s quite fascinating.
I like Turner Classic Movie, TCM, and … “The Best Years of Our Lives” and it’s about the returning soldiers after the war was over and how they adjusted to civilian life. I don’t know why I’m so addicted to that movie, but I’ve seen it over and over and I can watch it over and over. I think probably the reason why I like it so much is because I come from a family of war veterans on both sides.
12. How do you like to relax?
Just simple things, go for a walk, read, cook a nice meal, time with family, little jaunts out of town. All the little things, but the big things.
13. What are you reading or watching right now?
I’m reading a book called “Surviving the Survivors” by Ruth Klein (about the) Second World War (and) the Polish Jews who survived. These people survived but then they had to learn to live with surviving and what they witnessed. It’s quite a heavy book but it’s also tempered with a lot of humour, as well, so I’m really enjoying that.
I’m (watching) repeats of “The Crown” and “Downton Abbey” just to relax. I do like historical dramas.
14. What is your greatest fear?
Flying. I never used to be, I did a lot of flying when I was a lot younger. I don’t know, as you get older you think more about things or something. I’ll do it, but I don’t like it. I would say it’s probably my biggest fear. I’m never comfortable until I get off the plane, that’s just the way it is. I think a lot of people share that they are afraid of flying but they don’t want to admit it. I readily admit it. I say, “OK look, I hate flying.” I don’t think anybody is (comfortable), really. I don’t think people are being honest. They say, “Ah, nothin’ to it.” I don’t believe it for a second.
15. How would you describe your personal fashion statement?
Eclectic. I don’t fall victim to trends or anything like that. I think classic is always in style. I tend to keep it simple like that. I do like muted colours and earthy colours, which is why I like fall because you can wear those colours. Falls a nice time for fashion.
16. What is your most treasured possession?
With everybody, their most treasured possession are their memories and I certainly (have) a lot of great memories. However, in order to preserve those memories for posterity, I have a voluminous collection of photo albums, right from when I was really small and there are also a lot of ancestral information in them. I think they’re a worthy possession to have because if anything happened to them you lose that physical trigger to your whole history … I do treasure those.
17. What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?
Honesty, work ethic and humour (from both of my parents). Humour gets us through everything.
18. What three people would join you for your dream dinner party?
I’d love to have Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Maggie Smith. (Smith) is the funniest lady.
Her at a dinner party, if too much literary analysis came up, she would balance it all out.
19. What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality?
I’m empathetic. Sometimes I feel the suffering of others a little bit too much and then I worry. I’m a bit of a worrier.
I tend to over extend myself. I need to pause and pace more. I’m a little bit impatient sometimes too.
20. What’s your biggest regret?
Not having started writing for publication sooner than I did because, if I had, if I started writing in my 20s or something, I’d have a lot of books on the go now. But that’s a different time period.
@AndrewLWaterman
