My Readers Are More Interesting Than Me: Meet Author & Farmer Prue Batten

Welcome back to the second edition of our newest series Readers Interviews!
Some of my readers are so interesting that I feel like the warm-up act. Prue Batten is one of those people. She lives in Australia, writes historical fiction and fantasy, tends her farm, champions the environment, swims in cold water (voluntarily, I might add), and somehow still finds time to write her beautiful Substack, Knotsin the String. I’ve been wanting to introduce her to you for a while. I am so glad she let me twist her arm. Let’s chat about how my readers are more interesting than me: meet author & farmer Prue Batten.

My Readers Are More Interesting Than Me: Meet Author & Farmer Prue Batten

You are a former journalist with majors in both history and politics – did you know you wanted to become a writer, or did you land in this profession unintentionally? Tell us about your path to get where you are today. 

I had no idea I would write professionally although I have always written since Grade Three when we were asked to create ‘compositions’ from a picture at which point I felt so comfortable. Whilst studying for a degree there was little time to write creatively, but the minute I had time thereafter, I always had ideas mulling and pieces of paper everywhere. This was before computers became the norm.

After my children had grown and flown, I sat and wrote my first book which is the one you promptly place in the bottom drawer. I then signed with a London editorial agency, and we worked together for three years on my first ‘proper’ book. During that time, the agency suggested I join a peer review group funded by the UK Arts Council, an amazing experience where I made dear friends for life. When the organisation decided to offer independent publication to members, I jumped at the chance, figuring I was 60 at the time, no mainstream publisher would particularly want to contract an old girl from the far south of the globe. Fifteen books later as well as anthologies, I’m a proud indie and the rest is history…

You are currently settling into writing a new book. Can you share with us how and where you continue to find inspiration for writing? Anything else you can share on your newest creation?

It’s a question we’re often asked and for all writers it could be any number of things. There have been embroideries, a paperweight my son bought for me in Murano, shifu cloth which is Japanese cloth made from paper and silk woven together, and finally, the legend of the red thread from which I just had to conceive a fiction.

With the historical fictions, I set out originally to write a fanfiction on Robin Hood on my then blog, and it took off with a huge following of women from The Armitage Army, as Guy of Gisborne was played on TV by the smouldering and attractive Richard Armitage. My story changed from being a bit of fun, to something eminently serious about a 12^th century man called Guy of Gisborne who became a cut-throat merchant – Guy’s story if his cards had fallen another way. They were exciting novels to write (the Middle Ages are no picnic) and I loved the depth of research and the writing. The fascination with the medieval era was birthed in university history lectures and it seemed natural to write about that era. I developed lifelong friendships with my characters and now have seven historical fictions with another in the wings.

Both the hist.ficts and the fantasies have been award winners which has been an impetus to keep writing – the feeling that one might be doing something right, because most writers live with Imposter Syndrome. I still feel nervous and embarrassed and mostly whisper to people that I’m a writer.

A few years ago, I was challenged by one of the world’s immortal fantasy writers, Juliet Marillier, to write a contemporary fiction about a woman in her seventies. At the time, my husband had an almost fatal farm accident, which ultimately became the inspiration for the novel and Annie Tremayne was born. I wrote Passage, a novel about Annie’s journey to the other side of grief and widowhood. The bestselling Irish writer Cathy Kelly reviewed it, and her private words to me at the time and her review were such a boost to my confidence. I then wrote Act III, which has just been released, with some of the same characters from the previous novel. Onward now to Phoebe’s Prime. You could say it’s a septuagenarian series where fictional people live life in an extraordinary way in the coastal village that is based on my home.

You publish “Knots in the String” over on Substack – a free weekly newsletter for subscribers, where you give a little glimpse into an “introvert’s view of Life, the Universe and Everything.” What can one expect to read on this forum?

Musings, trying to find glimmers of the good in life because the world is in a rough, tough state currently. I write about my life on this farflung island at the bottom of the world. It’s a semi-sophisticated place with wild and incredibly beautiful corners. There’s an essence here, as there is in any wild place (think the Outer Hebrides, remote parts of Europe, USA and Canada) that stirs creativity. There’s an island mentality too, which is very strong. One can’t help but be a part of nature, it’s the heart and soul of my island and that feeds inspiration.

In addition to writing, you are involved with farming and gardening. Has this always been the case? What do you love most about cultivating both delicious food and beautiful plants?

I was city born but provincially bred, if that makes sense. Because this island is small, one is never far from a farming enterprise, and my father educated me in the basics of agriculture. (Perhaps he was a frustrated countryman). I eventually ended up working for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, researching and presenting on radio and TV with an emphasis on programmes featuring rural communities.

I met my husband working in the same media field. He was a journalist and documentary maker. He was from a farming family, and in our fifties, we finally purchased our own farm where we grow merino wool, prime lambs and crops. I’m now just a chief cook and bottlewasher and will help in the sheepyards if needed but my son, bless him, is convinced I’m going to stand in the way of a charging full-weight merino and be knocked flat to end up with broken hips, so I leave it to the men. They’re bigger!

Love of gardening happened by osmosis from my parents. It grew from there, was fertilised by having our own spaces in which to create and I met gardening folk and friendships grew. The UK’s Monty Don is an icon, I have grand landscaping dreams and it’s always something to aim for. It’s also a very uplifting thing to see that no matter what is happening in the world, the seasons will always roll around, and plants will endeavour to grow. And there’s nothing better than walking out to the vegetable garden, picking food and then cooking it – the ultimate organic, environmentally sound meal.

What other hobbies do you have that might surprise our readers and how do you find time to do all the things you love while continuing to write, publish, and promote your books?

Embroidery. My hands need to be busy at night, and I always call embroidery my hand meditation. Meditation is actually a very important part of my day. I also have a complete fascination with silks and linens, with threads of all kinds and it’s another way to be creative.

I’ve begun watercolour painting again after many years of absence. Watercolour is tempestuous, seductive and beautifully transparent. A wonderful thing to learn.

And finally classical ballet. After a fifty-year break from the studio and after a medical event which destroyed almost all my right-side balance, I began to dance again as a way of exercising my brain and preventing a fall. I absolutely love classical ballet – the movements, the music, the exercise. I’ve been in the studio for ten years now, I dance with a group of similarly aged women, we’ve performed five times in public, and I’m thrilled to have made such good friends in my 70’s.

I was diagnosed with severe arthritis in the lower spine last month and I’m so relieved that ballet is seen as perfect exercise for the condition, as long as I don’t leap or hyper-extend. By the way, I only dance on demi-pointe, I doubt my aged feet would survive pointe shoes.

The Covid 19 Lockdowns taught me that life is for living, it is short and one really has to make the most of one’s time. That’s the way I view each day.

You frequently swim in the cold ocean – and you love it! How did you learn to love the cold water and what are some other forms of exercise that you enjoy?

I’ve swum since I was very young so salt water is undeniably my lifeblood. A few years ago, a small group on our coast began winter swimming and I was one of that group.

By midwinter, our water temp is about 11 degrees Celsius so I wear a light wetsuit, boots and gloves which enables me to stay in the water much longer. However, I can’t put my head under as the ache is so vicious. But the euphoria that one feels from the immersion into cold, the clarity of winter water, the thrill – it’s seriously addictive.

I now swim on my own as the group has moved to a surf beach and because of my balance, I can’t handle surf. Solo winter swimming isn’t advised so I’m quite cautious, hence the wetsuit. I always let someone know where I am before I enter the water and I check in afterwards.

I’m not a gym bunny, nor a zumba, yoga, or pilates participant either. My only other exercise is walking. I try to do 10 000+ steps daily. Easy when one has a dog!

Share with us more about your family and your love of pets (specifically Jack Russell Terriers). 

My family and pets are my life. In March, my husband and I will have been together for 50 years and I love him to infinity and beyond. He is our family’s rock and we laugh an awful lot! We have a wonderful family – daughter, son, daughter-in-law and the kindest, wisest, funniest seven-year-old grandson ever.

I have a long-held view of protecting our environment so that our grandson inherits a healthy world. Consequently, over time, I’ve been an environmental protester and still get involved when I must. If we can’t protect what is most valuable, then simply we are taking our planet too much for granted. I have been backed in all of this by my family who have often protested by my side. I’m very proud of them.

My dogs? We’ve had nine Jack Russells since my husband placed a tiny pup on my lap when I was pregnant with our daughter, 45 years ago. I’m totally devoted to the crazy breed. Our current fellow is only 16 months old and has cemented himself as our little Yoda, sharing the same extraordinary personality as our grandson.

Name five items in your closet that you have held onto year after year, and that you can’t ever see yourself parting with, and why?

Memories are the why.

My mother was a gifted dressmaker and when I needed formal gowns, and both of us being lovers of all things silk, she would take Vogue Couturier patterns with their hundreds of pieces and make me something unique. In a recent Swedish Death Clean, I found I just couldn’t part with a beautiful full length Thai silk skirt with a beautiful tulip shape. It’s a superb gown and a superb memory.

Navy Thai silk trousers I had made for my son’s wedding.

My hand-tailored Thai silk wedding gown. Very sleek, unfussy lines, impossibly elegant with godets and a small train.

A pair of leather riding gloves, pigskin, that I wore in the show ring when I rode dressage.

Two magnificent Gucci scarves my husband gave me – I love wearing them as both belts and scarves.

You, see? Memories all.

How would you describe your style? 

I wish it was elegant, but I suspect it’s more gardener or kennel maid. On a good day I think it’s what might be called classic. Perhaps others can be the judge. I spent my uni-years reading Elègance Magazine, a beautiful European publication, which was my fashion guide and probably contributed to my love of beautiful accessories and understated style. My style icons in Australia are Courtney and her mother, Marie, from the Monday Project Company whom you have featured.

How did you find my blog and how long have you been following along? 

Three or four years I think, and it fortuitously just popped up in my Instagram feed, and I’ve loved it ever since. Some of the houses are so sigh-worthy and you know, Cindy, I’m always available to receive your cast-offs!

Do you prefer to engage on social media, or is the blog your preferred way to connect with our community of women over 50? 

Either/or, really. The problem in Australia is the time lag so that by being asleep when you are all awake, I miss so much. Apologies up front.

What would you like to see more of from the blog / what are currently the posts you look forward to most?

I love the interviews with women of an age. There’s much to learn from the lives and wisdom of others across the world. I also enjoy your fashion-styling. It’s easy living and would fit so well with my casual Australian life. I’m a fan of J. Crew, Ralph Lauren and Tuckernuck labels and often look for similar Australian styles.

If you could give your younger self any words of advice, what would they be? 

Goodness. Tough question. Remembering that I was an anxious young woman, I suspect I would say, ‘Prue, don’t be afraid. Life is made up of chances and sometimes we have to be courageous because life is so short and we mustn’t waste it. Also dear Prue, remember to always pay kindness forward in whichever way you can.’

In respect of paying it forward, I worked as the Volunteer Coordinator for our state’s branch of the international cancer therapy organisation, Look Good Feel Better. I learned all about unadulterated courage in those ten years. It left its mark.

I also volunteered for Riding for the Disabled for a few years which impressed me greatly – how courage again is fundamental to so many people’s lives. 

Now, I’m a volunteer heart stitcher for the wonderful international kindness initiative which was born in Tasmania. www. 1000hearts.com.au. I’ve stitched for them for ten years and will probably keep stitching for them until I drop.

Share your words to live by: 

‘Onwards with a soft footfall.’

Cindy, thank you so much for inviting me to be a part of your blog and your life. It’s been quite an honour. Best wishes to you and to all your readers.

I hope you enjoyed My Readers Are More Interesting Than Me: Meet Author & Farmer Prue Batten. I started this blog to share my love of design, fashion, and the beautiful life we can build after 50. What I didn’t expect was you, readers like Prue who remind me that the most interesting chapters are still being written. Prue, you are an absolute treasure. You are proof that the most extraordinary lives are often lived quietly, on a farm, in cold water, between the pages of a beautiful book. Thank you for being part of this community, and for reminding the rest of us to live a little bigger. You rock. I am so proud that you agreed to do this series (even if it involved a little arm twisting). Now everyone go follow Knots in the String on Substack. You won’t be disappointed.

Here’s where you can follow Prue:

Website: https://pruebatten.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pruebatten/ 

Weekly Newsletter: https://pruebatten.com/#knots 

You might also enjoy my first interview in this series: Meet Active, Inspiring, CHD reader Arleen Rice.