PANDEMIC lockdowns over the last two years provided an ideal environment for many locals to explore their creative sides while forced to stay at home.
Among them was 17–year–old Campbell Timms, who has just released the second of two books he wrote during Victoria's COVID–19 lockdowns.
'What Ruined Adaline' tells the story of actress Adaline Ardan, who spends years living in loneliness, and lavishing her money and youth on temporary joys.
When it seems the world has forgotten her, and the money that stole her passion for the stage is gone, Adaline's only choice is to return to her career.
However, when she starts receiving threatening letters, and young actresses competing for the same film role turn up dead, Adaline must prove herself innocent while also revisiting her tragic past.
Latest Stories
'What Ruined Adaline' – described as a 'cracking tale of ambition and revenge' – follows Campbell's first book, 'The Perpetrators, Perennial Waters', which was also written during COVID–19 isolation.
Despite having written two books in quick succession, Campbell said he never set out to be an author.
"In fact, when I was a kid I wrote books but only drew the pictures, not actually writing anything," he said.
"My dream was to be a screenwriter, and still is.
"I write the odd script for school, and have done a few purely for enjoyment over the years.
"But books allow me to share my love, and I enjoy writing them just as much."
Campbell said he devised the cover for the new book before writing the story, then decided the ending and wrote the plot in reverse.
"A handful of chapters were written afterwards, but the first manuscript took me nine days to complete," he said.
His initial motivation was to write a book based on his favourite type of character, the villain.
"Adaline acts as both the protagonist and the antagonist, which was very interesting to develop," he said.
"I have a devout love of all things movies, so deciding to make her an actress was an easy choice.
"Period pieces are also a love of mine, so I did lots of research and decided to base the majority of the text in the 1960s.
"This took a lot of time, to see what was around during this time and what I could and couldn't incorporate."
Campbell said he was fascinated by the mystery genre, and by dark plots.
"I would like to think of myself as really gentle, undoubtedly.
"However, I see a certain beauty in the darkness of someone's mind and what leads them to commit acts of immorality.
"That is what this whole new book is about: how past tragedies have led Adaline to commit others," he said.
Campbell said he was honoured to have crime/mystery writers Kerry Greenwood, who penned the Phryne Fisher series, and local Margaret Hickey contribute cover quotes for his book.
"They are both wonderful women with great and powerful views, and I respect them both tremendously," he said.
With two books under his belt, Campbell said he had lots more stories in mind which could make it to the page in future.
"Right now, I am writing what is technically an anthological sequel, which means it takes place in the same world as 'What Ruined Adaline', but alone contains small hints to the past book – no major characters or references.
It is titled 'What Broke Baby', and follows a widowed housewife who makes friends with a socialite named Baby who may not be as sweet as she seems," he said.
He's also relishing the chance to speak to readers who have enjoyed his work.
"My favourite part of people reading my books is hearing them discuss it with me and being able to appreciate this world and story I have created," he said.
"That is the best part of it all – being able to share what I create with others."
To purchase a copy of 'What Ruined Adaline', visit https://whatruinedadaline.com/products/what–ruined–adaline.
