Larne author shares story of life in the Sallagh Braes and beyond

A Larne woman who began to write her life story as a lockdown project, has successfully published it as a book, now available online worldwide.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2021, 17:47 GMT
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Writing under the pseudonym Morna Croft to retain her family’s privacy, the new author started to write her own story - ‘Beyond the Sallagh Braes’ - as a life review for her own benefit.

With the encouragement of “a lovely neighbour” she continued writing and soon she had enough words for a book.

She realised it would be nice to put it into print for her children and grandchildren.

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The Sallagh Braes outside Larne. Picture: Google.The Sallagh Braes outside Larne. Picture: Google.
The Sallagh Braes outside Larne. Picture: Google.

At this point she turned to local author Angeline King for her opinion.

Angeline kindly agreed to edit the book, pointing out that it contained not only the history of a child growing up in the 1960s on a farm in Co Antrim but the wonderful travels she went on to have throughout the world during the course of her life.

The story also included an insight into her spiritual awakening.

Encouraged by Angeline’s response, Morna decided to find a publisher, finally settling on Angeline’s suggestion of Book Reality Experience. Within a few months the book was published and is for sale online, worldwide.

‘Beyond the Sallagh Braes’ can be purchased in some bookstores including The Book Nook, Larne and The Spar at Ballygally.

Angeline commented: “I was hooked after reading the first line and consumed the first draft of the book in one sitting.

“I encouraged Morna to write more and then completed a first substantive edit for her in terms of structure and content, always trying to tease out a little bit more of the ordinary things that I found extraordinary. 

“I loved learning about Morna’s early years on the farm and holidays in the Sallagh Braes and encouraged her to tell the reader more about that because I think it affects how Morna sees the world as she travels through it.

“Morna worked hard all her life in all the jobs she did, from caring for children through to running a B&B and that shone through for me.

“She earned all those wonderful adventures abroad. Morna has something to say about the world and she says it beautifully.

“I would encourage more women to tell their story,” Angeline added.

Related topics:Larne