A Mum has released her first ever book after she beat cancer.

Yvonne Hendrie, 54, says knowing she was going to be able to publish her novel The Water Bailiff’s Daughter helped her fight the disease.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2019 just weeks after she secured a publisher for her book.

After months of gruelling treatment, the former church minister, who also lives with chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia, finally had her book published on Friday, April 3, just weeks after she got the all clear on March 19.

Yvonne told the Advertiser: “I always wanted to write a book but had never got around to it.

“I have been a freelance writer for 13 years. I had my diagnosis of fibromyalgia 10 years ago and had to give up my job as a minister, so I began to write a lot more, and wrote poetry.

“Five years ago, my mum died, coming up for my 50th birthday and the idea just hit me.

“The publisher accepted the book and five weeks later I was given a breast cancer diagnosis.

“It was unexpected. It had never been in the family. I had a rough ride with treatment, the chemotherapy had to be stopped because I couldn’t tolerate it. I was extremely ill, and they decided to stop. I had the surgery first and it was successful. Now I am cancer free.”

Yvonne, a former hospice chaplain, was aware of the battle she faced after her encounters.

She said: “Having worked in a hospice, I knew a lot about what I had to face. I’ve known an awful lot of very brave people

“I wasn’t going to shirk what was ahead of me. Having the book spurred me on to get it published. I didn’t think I was going to get another chance to write one, but I just kept writing it got me through it.”

Yvonne’s book is inspired by a love of fairy tales and Scottish folklore. The story set in the early 1900s follows a mystical tale of young woman Helena Hailstanes and her father Sam who are creatures of an ancient race of shape-shifting otters, and as Helena flees her secluded home she encounters a sea witch Megan that curses them.

The Water Bailiff’s Daughter is inspired by the Ayrshire coastline and The Galloway Forrest, with its setting of Loch Duie, a nod to Loch Doon, and the stunning Ailsa Craig also given a mention.

Yvonne, originally from Stranraer, said: “I love South West Scotland. To me it’s the best place in the world. It’s home and I’m biased.”

The book is dedicated to Yvonne’s husband Brian who is minister of St Leonard’s and Dalrymple churches, daughter Chloe, 22, her mum and dad, and dog Kenji.

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