ADESIRE to immortalise the memory of her father and his double life inspired a Hoppers Crossing resident to write a series of novels
Cecilia Conway-Wright has just finished self-publishing a series of four novels under the umbrella title, Jazza Count.
The part-time church minister, part-time music teacher, full-time matriarch, took more than a decade to produce the novels she had intended to be her first. In that time she wrote five other titles.
But with her father’s reputation at stake, the labour of love was always going to be meticulous.
Only six months ago, Mrs Conway-Wright launched her fifth book, Strid, based on her mother’s, grandmother’s and great grandmother’s childhood tales in times of Edwardian struggle.
Describing herself as a hobby writer, she said she re-started the jazz books “over and over again” until satisfied with the final product. That day eventually came last Christmas.
The series was launched soon after at her own Hoppers Crossing parish, Epiphany Anglican Church.
“I had a desperate desire to do it … it feels like if you don’t get the words out you’ll burst,” she said explaining her need to write.
The mother-of-four grew up in industrial Yorkshire, England, as did her father who thrived on playing for enthusiastic dancers at a time when jazz was all the rage.
By night he was a jazz pianist with his own band, and by day a carpenter.
“Dad started out at 17, in 1917, when Dixie Land Jazz was just barely coming into its own,” she said.
Mrs Conway-Wright vividly recalls stories she was told during her childhood.
“I remember he’d come home, get showered, change into his evening dress and adjust his bow tie in the mirror before setting off to the clubs to work.”
The former teacher was able to use her father’s original music sheets to research historical elements of the music scene, like what songs and particular dances were popular at the time.
Drawing on her memories, Mrs Conway-Wright wove this background into a fictional piece based on a character strongly resembling her father.
It’s about a 17-year-old man, Hal, considered too young to fight in WWI and his adventures and failures in getting a band together.
“There’s let downs, jealousy, treachery – all the ups and downs until his early 40s, or 1942,” she said.
The books titled: Three, Two, One…Jazz-off!; Jazz O’Domino; Jazzle Dazzle and Jazzique are available for $14.95 and are likely to be sold at Collins Bookstore at Werribee Plaza.
Keeping it all in the family, Cecilia’s adult grandson designed the books’ front covers incorporating old photos from her father’s glory days.
Mrs Conway-Wright’s first four books formed a series of semi-autobiographical novels on her experiences with the Anglican Church. Not one for procrastination, she expects her next “more marketable” book, Bloob’s Rising, to be ready by the middle of the year.
And the tale, about a group of unmarried school teachers who make a pact to be married by the end of the year, is her best chance at being picked up by mainstream publishers.
To buy Jazzacount call Cecilia on 8742 2860 or email sandalprint@bigpond.com
