Rebecca Campbell, Author

Clever Helpful Bitter

cook • scientist • writer • reader • a little bit punk

Monthly Musings.

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m currently infatuated with volcanoes — especially Maunaloa and Kīlauea, which are two of the five volcanoes that make up the Island of Hawai‘i (aka the Big Island); the others being Kohala, Maunakea and Hualālai.

I’m obsessed with the Big Island generally, thanks mainly to my work-in-progress being set there, and I hope to visit one day soon, before publishing that book, for some final research and polishing.

A couple of months ago, Maunaloa (which accounts for 51% of the island’s size) started erupting from the summit caldera after a 38-year hiatus. I had to temper my excitement because of the possibility of real destruction depending on which of the rift zones opened up. Thankfully, it was the north-east. Here, in comparison to the south-west rift zone, the slopes are not as steep, so the flow was slower, and the risk of immediate damage to property was minimised.

But, right now, Maunaloa is subdued and, after a brief pause, Kīlauea’s Halema‘uma‘u crater is bubbling vigorously once more.

Check out @epiclava_ on Instagram to see some epic videos and photos of both volcanoes in action in recent weeks.

Writing Wrap-up.

This month, I decided to split my work-in-progress into a three-book series of standalone but interconnected stories. So, instead of writing, I’ve been busy replanning and replotting the novels. It’s a bit tricky because they run concurrently rather than consecutively, so I have to get the timelines just right.

Both Disrupted and Setting the Hook were initially intended to be individual novels, and when I came up with the idea for By the Eye, By the Hand, and the interwoven plots, I decided to combine them into one book.

But the three main characters — all women in their 40s — proved too complex, in a delightful and exciting way, and I realised I couldn’t do them justice in only 30,000 words each, so I decided they each deserved their own full-length novel.

It means a lot more work for me, obviously, but I adore these women and I’m up for the challenge!

Reading Round-up.

Here are some of the books I’ve read (or reviewed — I’m a bit behind) this month:

• Idaho by Emily Ruskovich

• Daughters of Eve by Nina D. Campbell

• This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch by Tabitha Carvan

• Super Volcanoes by Robin George Andrews

• Lauren From Last Night by Heather Grace Stewart

• The Dinner Club by Helen Aitchison

• Topanga Canyon by Elizabeth Sumner Wafler

• Dream in the Wind by Tamara McWilliam

• The Bonehead Resistance by Narelle King

You can read my reviews by clicking on the links.

I couldn’t choose a favourite, but I did adore this quote from The Dinner Club: