Hello, I’m Valerie Clifford and this website is about my journey as a writer, my memoir Fijian Shadows, Living through the Coup of 2000 and my novel Play of Light on Water.
Writing is a constant learning curve.
From the plays, stories, poetry of my youth (all condemned to the wastepaper bin), through the research and academic writing required of a career in university teaching, to the memoir of my time in Fiji and now my novel, set in the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand, I have had to learn constantly. I have favoured taking courses that offer quality feedback from tutors and participants, and was thrilled to discover the online Oxford University courses, on Life Writing, Creative Writing and Critical Reading, which have all provided invaluable feedback and practise. Over the years I have published two academic books, a memoir and now a novel. Another two books are waiting for my attention to become a reality. I think writing has become an addiction!
Play of Light on Water is available from Amazon.com.au
Fijian Shadows is available from me at
valerieanneclifford@gmail.com
Cost AU$25, plus postage and packing.
“I’ve finished reading your memoir Fijian Shadows. I found it totally engrossing and could relate to everything, nodding with just about every page. You could have been writing about PNG. Like you, I left with a deep affection for the people of PNG and genuine sadness at returning to my comfortable middle class life in Australia.”
Stella Coram, Melbourne
Valerie Clifford - Writer 