Writer is back on track

Hillcrest Christian College teacher Bev Curtiss has written the book From Coffee Shop to Coffee Shop.

By Kelly Yates
TEACHER Bev Curtiss says her newly published book often brings her to tears when she recalls the events that shaped her life.
The Hillcrest Christian College mathematics teacher said the inspiration for her book, From Coffee Shop to Coffee Shop, came from a time in her life when her marriage fell apart and she, and her two daughters aged 13 and 15, immigrated to Australia from Zimbabwe.
Ms Curtiss said that the events which prompted her to become a writer happened while she was still in Zimbabwe.
The first was her divorce and the other was when she and her daughters survived after their car was hit by a train at a level crossing.
Despite being badly injured in the crash, Ms Curtiss said it was those events that sparked the budding writer to put pen to paper.
“It was a miracle we survived the smash,” she said.
“We were faced with one trauma after another.”
The 53-year-old said she chose to move to Australia because it was far enough away from all of the hurt and pain she endured in Africa.
“We wanted a new start and arrived in the country with only a holiday visa and we each had two suitcases,” she said.
The 289 page book tells the story of Ms Curtiss’ journey through what she describes as a “difficult time in her life.”
“I started to write the book as therapy to work through the pain,” she said.
“Then in 2005 I could see it in the form of a book and decided to write it properly in the hope of eventually getting it published.”
Ms Curtiss finished writing the book in 2006 and sent it off to various publishers in the United States.
The book was picked up American Book Publishing in late 2006 and had 500 copies printed in its first run, with Tim Costello agreeing to write its forward.
“When I saw the finished book and held it my hands it was like holding a new baby as I had poured myself into it,” she said.
“The purpose of the book is to give people hope that they can get through the tough times, survive them and build a new life.”
Ms Curtiss is hoping that the book will be released in Australia in July. For details visit www.bevcurtiss.com.