Interview Session with Bethany Clark by the Author
South Australian writer and editor, Bethany Clark, is set to launch writing retreats at her picturesque home in Stansbury later this year. Known for her humorous and heartwarming children's books, Clark finds inspiration in the local shops, beaches, gin bar, pub, and café of Stansbury, Yorke Peninsula.
Clark's debut picture book, "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils," was born from a bedtime story that her son requested nightly after she first wrote it down. The book, which also serves as a subtle feminist manifesto, aims to normalize the mess that babies make during their learning to eat. It is a joyful celebration of messy mealtimes and was written to help children learn the names of foods and body parts.
Her second book, "Little Love List," was inspired by a series of bedtime love lists she used to tell her son during a challenging time of solo parenting. Reflecting everyday experiences with small children that can be both challenging and hilarious, "Little Love List" is a testament to Clark's ability to find humour in the ordinary.
Clark's husband suggested she write down the story that inspired "You've Got Yoghurt in Your Nostrils," and her publisher allowed her to be subversive in the book, resulting in a unique and engaging read.
When not penning down stories, Clark enjoys unwinding and writing at her favourite spot in Stansbury, a peaceful seaside town in South Australia. She often visits Peninsula Records and Books, the town's only bookshop, to fuel her literary passion.
In addition to her writing, Clark has dabbled in radio, furniture upholstery, and sewing, but if she could start over, she would be a professional photographer or painter.
Currently, Clark is working on a new project in Stansbury, and with the launch of her writing retreats, she invites fellow writers to join her in finding inspiration in the serene beauty of Stansbury, Yorke Peninsula.
During her writing sessions in Stansbury, Bethany Clark finds inspiration not only from the local shops and cafés but also in transforming her home into a space that complements her lifestyle and stimulates her creative process, truly making it a home-and-garden for a writer. As she continues to pen down heartwarming children's books, the picturesque setting of Stansbury, Yorke Peninsula, serves as the perfect backdrop for her lifestyle and future writing retreats, offering a unique home-and-garden experience for fellow writers.
