From shorthand typist to published author

Lynda Taylor’s path to authorship was far from linear. It was a journey carved through decades of persistence, personal growth and a long-standing love of reading and writing.

Raised in a working-class family in Auckland during the 1970s, Lynda's early access to higher education was limited. Instead of university, she followed a practical route, attending secretarial school and working for many years as a typist, data entry clerk and administrative assistant.

Now living semi-rurally in Otane, Hawke’s Bay, Lynda reflects on how a lifelong passion for stories eventually led her to enrol at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University in her early fifties.

“I was an empty nester at the time and the opportunity to find out if I had a talent for writing presented itself.”

“That was what led me to become a student at Massey. A decision I will never regret,” Lynda says.

Lynda completed a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2016 and went on to earn her Master of Creative Writing (MCW) in 2021. She describes her academic journey with Massey as both challenging and transformative.

Lynda admits the first few years were a struggle. Academic conventions like thesis statements and reference lists were completely unfamiliar at the outset. However, the flexibility of Massey’s distance learning model allowed Lynda to study from various different locations during her years at Massey, including during a period living and working in Waiouru as a researcher and archives assistant at the National Army Museum.

The creative component of Lynda’s Masters thesis became the raw manuscript for her debut novel, The Cinderella Service, which is now published. Lynda says having her first book published is a dream come true.

The Cinderella Service is a historical fiction, that also pays tribute to the often-overlooked service of kiwi women during WWII, particularly the "land girls" who took on essential agricultural work while men were away at war.

“While I was completing my MCW, I learned of the many sacrifices also made by women during wartime. This ignited a spark and curiosity.

“The service of WWII land girls is little-known and I developed a passion to tell their story,” Lynda says.

By blending historical insight with a compelling narrative, Lynda hopes her novel will not only inform readers but also inspire them.

“I hope that readers will be encouraged to welcome challenges and develop strength and resilience, much like the central character in the story does.”

Studying creative writing helped Lynda develop her voice and craft. At Massey she was required to produce work in a range of genres, which helped shape and inspire her writing.

“I learned how to handle constructive criticism, which helped me understand where my strengths lay and which areas of my writing needed improvement,” Lynda says.

Senior Lecturer in creative writing Dr Thom Conroy says working with Lynda has always been a joy.

“From our first email contact, she knew she wanted to write a book that brought attention to the role of land girls in the second world war, as she believed the contribution of the land girls has to some extent been overlooked and she wanted their story to be told.

“Lynda worked very hard on several drafts of the novel and the final version is a testimony to her commitment to her early vision for the story. I couldn't be more delighted to see this book out there in the world!” Dr Conroy says.

Although it took her five years to write the book, Lynda never wavered and she hopes that will inspire others.

“If my book incentivises a reader to participate in personal development, whatever that may look like, then I consider that a great outcome. Sometimes you don’t know what you’re capable of until you jump right in.”