Trentham author Rod Harmon has just released his second book.
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His novels The Missionary’s Son and The Broadsword and the Englishman are inspired by his parent’s stories.
The main character in his novels, Bill, is inspired by his father and the events he experienced during his life.
“My father was born in China in 1927 to English missionaries. He lived there until he was 11. This was during the time of the Sino-Japenese war, pre-WWII. The events that happened there culminated in my father escaping from China during the battle for Shanghai,” he said.
The stories Harmon tells are classified as historical fiction, so are based on real events but told in a way that brings the stories to life for the reader.
“It is the story of a young boy neglected by his father because of his calling. My father witnessed some horrific things, which impacted and traumatised him for the rest of his life. In researching the book, I learnt a lot about why my dad was the person he was,” he said.
The second novel follows the story detailed in the first.
“It starts in WWII and follows Bill’s life through adulthood as a fluid man and trying to face his demons. Bill travels to various countries in the second book, from the U.K, Malta, Australia and then to China.”
I always wanted to be a writer when I was a kid but I was talked out of it and told I needed a real job. I'm now getting started.
- Rod Harmon
Harmon began writing three years ago after working in the corporate world his entire adult life.
“We came to Trentham almost three years ago and that’s when I started writing, when I found the time to devote to it. I always wanted to be a writer when I was a kid but I was talked out of it and told I needed a real job. I’m now getting started,” he said. “Trentham is such a creative place. There are a number of writers here who appreciate the creative pursuits so it’s all very encouraging,” he said.
Harmon is already three quarters of the way through writing his third novel, which is inspired by the Walsh family, renowned in the area for potato farming.
“I interviewed Tom a few times about his history and that inspired me to write a story, which starts in 1850s Ireland during the potato blight. The two main characters are two young Irish lads. I am trying to write a story about the birth of a nation, from the perspective of a common viewpoint. So, an Irish potato farmer. It is a story of migration to Australia, of people fleeing persecution, famine and people looking for a new life and opportunities,” he said.
Harmon will host a book launch at the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre on July 7 from 1 until 3pm.
This story first appeared on the Hepburn Advocate as ‘Author Telling True Stories’