Meet Judy Chapman
Meet Judy Chapman. The Author of “My Singapore Lover”, a contemporary love story in which Singapore is actually the main character.
This specific is actually definitely a work of fiction, however I have personally experienced aspects inside the story, including the martial arts journey, living in hotel suites, as well as also Singapore of course. I wrote the first draft in three weeks around seven years ago when I was living in Singapore. which is actually a contemporary love story set in Singapore, the story is actually told mostly via a hotel suite over a twenty-four hour period as well as also I have definitely had my fair share of hotel suites – in Singapore I was the Editor in Chief for Spa Asia magazine as well as also travelled the earth reporting on spa openings. which was an enriching time.
Who are your literary influences?
I am passionate about Haruki Murakami, a beautiful contemporary Japanese writer as well as also Paulo Coelho’s Eleven Minutes is actually one of my favourites. Right right now I am reading a novel titled Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters – which’s stunning. I’m more into film, though as well as also my biggest dream is actually for one of my novels to be made into an edgy film. Well, one can only dream!
is actually This specific your first publication?
This specific is actually my first novel, although my fifth book. My first four books were non-fiction which was a completely different journey. I knew via the age of eight years old which I wanted to write a novel, although like all of us, have been on many detours. which took quite a bit of focus as well as also determination to make This specific novel happen.
What is actually your background?Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Byron Bay, Australia, a similar melting pot to Bali in terms of being a little community of many cultures, beliefs, religions, creative types, raw foodies, yogis – as well as also both places offer a more relaxed as well as also free lifestyle. My upbringing was typically alternative as well as also consisted of trips to Bali as well as also ashrams in India. Well, I tried my hardest to be ‘straight’ as well as also wear a suit as well as also carry a briefcase, although never succeeded in which. I did attend University in Melbourne for a while, although ended up working for The Melbourne Herald on the fashion pages, as I was impatient to get into the workforce. I started off my own spa brand with my ex-fiancé when I was 23 years old as well as also we opened spa stores around Australia – a very inspiring chapter of my life. After I published my first book, everything took off as well as also This specific is actually when I moved to Southeast Asia as well as also started off writing about spas.
I first came to Bali back inside the late seventies when there was only one western hotel. Over the last decade I have written as well as also photographed two of my spa books in Bali as well as also in 2012 completed my yoga teaching training course – so Bali has been a big part of my creative life. Last year you could find me tapping away at my novel via various organic cafés around Ubud, the perfect setting for any writer. I never required to live here, although Bali has been my home base since I came here on assignment for a magazine to do a piece on Karma Resorts, as well as also they kidnapped me to set up their spa brand, which is actually what I have been doing for the last 5 years in Bali – although I didn’t actually decide to live here as well as also can be a reluctant expat in some ways. However, my day job involves lots of travel throughout Southeast Asia, setting up spas as well as also creating bespoke treatment as well as also retail concepts.
What is actually a Spa Curator?
which’s what I call myself because I didn’t want to be a Director or a Consultant – which’s not me at all. I resonate with Curator, as which feels more creative. I have been working inside the wellness industry for twenty years right now – writing about spas, creating natural products as well as also working with architects as well as also Indoor designers to dream up beautiful spa concepts. More recently I have learned about the business side of spas – so in many ways I right now feel like I have a more holistic understanding of the spa business. which hasn’t been easy for a right-brain thinker, like myself, to learn about the financials, although which’s been a very rewarding journey. I right now have great respect for both the business as well as also the creative as well as also understand the two cannot exist without each additional. Overall I have created around twenty spas around the earth including Australia, Europe, India, Thailand as well as also right right now I am developing spas inside the Middle East which is actually a fascinating experience (a brand-new backdrop for another novel perhaps?).
What are your additional passions?
I am addicted to Pilates! which’s my sanctuary. I also love martial arts which I feature strongly in My Singapore Lover (the protagonist goes on a journey of learning martial arts which helps her grow). I am into healthy living, love travelling as well as also contemporary art galleries, although my biggest passion is actually film. I love Asian directors, Deepa Mehtaand, Wong Kar-wai, as well as Sofia Coppola’s work.
Do you have another book planned?
My Singapore Lover is actually my first novel as well as also a humble beginning (I trust reviewers are kind to me). Whatever happens via here, I feel so blessed to have come This specific far as well as also get a publishing deal. My next novel (which I actually wrote first), is actually set inside the Himalayas as well as also is actually more of an epic mystical-adventure-romance with subtle spiritual tones. There’s a little bit of martial arts in This specific second novel, as well as This specific modality has personally been an important part of my own growth.
Will you be at the upcoming Readers as well as also Writers Festival?
Yes! Drop by Three Monkeys Café in Ubud on Sunday 13th October at 4pm as well as also all will be revealed – a free event with drinks as well as also refreshments provided.
Thanks Judy!I look forward to seeing you at the Readers as well as also Writers Festival!
‘My Singapore Lover’ is actually available at Periplus Bookstores as well as also will be available online at Amazon as well as also iBooks.
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Meet Judy Chapman
Meet Judy Chapman