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