MUM-OF-THREE Joanna Campbell sees the publication of her debut novel, Tying Down The Lion, this month.

Set in 1967, the novel is about a family who drive in a Morris Traveller to Berlin and visit relatives on both sides of the wall.

“I shall never forget the day I saw the artwork for the cover – it made a lifelong dream feel as if it were coming true at last,” she said.

Joanna, 54, who lives in Bisley, only started writing seven years ago when her youngest daughter was getting ready to start secondary school.

Having dedicated herself to being a mum and house-wife for over 24 years, Joanna was keen to try something new.

After gaining recognition for her short stories, she decided to knuckle down and write the novel that she had had in mind for some years - about a road-trip to Berlin during the Cold War.

“My father was interested in Germany after serving in WWII and drove the family to Bavaria when I was eight. I also lived in Germany for a year when I was a student and learned a great deal about the collective guilt the Germans suffered after the war, as well as their sorrow that their country had to be divided.

“At university, I specialised in the literature of East Germany, which focused on the need to find an individual identity within the socialist regime. This quest for individuality is also one of the themes of the novel.

“I am very fortunate to be able to fit in the writing around my family life. My husband, Adrian and our three daughters are all very understanding about the neglected housework, massive cobwebs and empty fridge!"

Copies via www.bricklanepublishing.com