VRYHEID KZN: From journalist to published author – it is what it is

The first time Carlien Grobler published something was on her Facebook page, where she would write humorous pieces about parenthood and the challenges she faced in her personal life. A lot of positive feedback came from her friends, family and strangers, and that is what motivated her to start her own blog called ‘Gin in a Teacup’ that you may have come across in the Vryheid Herald newspaper.

The Vryheid-based Caxton journalist won a cash prize for a poem she entered into the Avbob writing competition last year. And, in the month of May, she was selected as one of 25 writers whose short stories would feature in Kreatio’s anthology called ‘Komieklike Kortverhale’ (comical short-stories). Also in that very same month, Carlien was lucky enough to be offered a book deal after making the top three in Kreatio’s national creative writing competition. “I write what I feel, even though it is my own opinion. People sometimes see themselves in a piece I have written and feel as if I am writing about them. They start to wonder if they are the narcissistic b*st*rd I mention in my blog. Sometimes it is four to five people who are convinced they are the person I have written about. I don’t regret anything I have written. It is what it is! That’s my motto!”

In ‘Komieklike Kortverhale’, readers will be able to enjoy 25 short stories… and here is a glimpse of Carlien’s story on page 23, entitled ‘Dagboek van `n Hister-Sister’: ‘’Dreineringspyp in die een hand en kateter in die ander, staan ek op. O, my liewe genade! Ek is seker die res van die saal kon hoor hoe plonk my ingewande en ehm… onderdele na benede!” The book has been released and readers can order it online. Here’s the link https://kreatio.co.za/boekwinkel/

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