Notre Dame College teacher and talented author Di Walker has proudly unveiled her latest book, Saving Charli.
Following the success of her debut novel, Unpacking Harper Holt, and its sequel, Every Thing We Keep, Ms Walker’s latest work is a touching middle-grades novel that explores themes of loss, grief, friendship and hope.
For Ms Walker, the journey of crafting her novels begins with the protagonist’s name, and from there, the story takes on a life of its own.
“I can picture where they might be, or what they are doing, and then I just begin to write,” she said.
The creative process unfolds organically, without knowing where the story will lead.
The initial draft takes about six weeks to complete, followed by a year of meticulous editing before presenting it to her publisher.
In Saving Charli, readers embark on an emotional journey alongside the grieving Charli, who mourns the loss of her twin sister, Freya.
The narrative alternates perspectives, providing insight into Charli’s world through the eyes of her two best friends, Blair and Queenie.
Together, the trio faces the profound impact of loss while drawing strength from each other’s companionship.
Despite delving into themes of grief, Ms Walker believes in the resilience of her young readers, asserting that the story is ultimately one of hope.
Through empathetic storytelling, she aims to touch hearts and inspire her audience with the power of friendship and optimism.
During the writing process, Ms Walker sought valuable feedback and expertise from her fellow staff members at Notre Dame.
“I am so thankful to the staff who read drafts, gave me feedback, and helped me refine the manuscript before I sent it to my publisher,” she said.
Ms Walker even engaged some of her students to read and share their thoughts, ensuring her novel resonates with its target audience.
Saving Charli is available at Collins Booksellers in Shepparton, as well as at book retail outlets across Australia and online.