Bobbie Ann Cole
Categories: Female Authors - Authors of Non-Fiction - Saint John River Valley
Biography
Bobbie Ann Cole and her husband recently moved to Blacks Harbour, N.B. from Fredericton, where her New Brunswick story began. They met there and were married in 2008. Her kids and grandkids still live in her native England, where she spends part of her time.
Since marrying, Bobbie and her husband have lived in Israel and England as well as in New Brunswick. The N.B. pace of life and room to breathe drew them back.
Bobbie's background is in journalism, short story/drama writing. She had her own company in the UK music business for many years. Her biggest claim to fame is the UK Christmas Number One, Save Your Love by Renee and Renato. She has also lived in Germany, France, French West Africa and B.C. She speaks English, French, German and Hebrew.
How has New Brunswick influenced your work?
Fredericton is my destination for receiving blessing and the love of a good husband of faith in She Does Not Fear the Snow.
The title reflects some pictures that formed in my mind when I asked God about my future. I saw fields of virgin snow to make some footprints. I never imagined, when they came to me in my native England, that they were literal!
What is your favourite New Brunswick book, and why?
I recently very much enjoyed Doris Mersereau's Gerald Harvey of Maugerville. This account of the author's father's life is sometimes funny, sometimes sad and consistently entertaining.
Gerald Harvey suffered a stroke on his wedding night. This led to his being quite a 'character', capable of quirky behaviour. Add to this the vagaries of life in rural, post-war N.B. which constantly required his creative, spur-of-the-moment problem-solving and you have all the ingredients of a great read.
The interspersing of chatty, pre-stroke letters home from the war, when Gerald was stationed in Europe, add a poignant dimension, pointing out what was lost on his wedding night and leaving us to speculate on what his life might have otherwise been.
What do you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?
In September 2013, I led the evening service at Smythe Street Cathedral in Fredericton, telling the story of She Does Not Fear the Snow with pictures and readings and celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary with a huge cake. It was a 'down home', relaxed type of an evening to which over 200 people came.
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Literary Prizes |
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| Finalist, Munce Writing Contest - 2012 | In recognition of: She Does Not Fear the Snow |
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Featured Publication |
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She Does Not Fear the Snow (2013) |
Excerpt: I let out a long sigh as the love given out by the congregation overwhelmed me. Tears sprang to my eyes and a lump formed in my throat. I remained very still as the world around me moved. I wanted more of this balm, more of this acute awareness of love. I put out a hand to connect with the man in front, to touch his shoulder, but withdrew, not daring to go that far. “Hineini,” I whispered, here I am. After five years of sickness that included cancer, my marriage had crumpled and my business had failed. I had been living alone for eighteen months, wondering what to do. Hineini was my plea for a fresh start. I wanted some meaning and purpose. |
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Find this author in the New Brunswick public libraries catalogue.
Source(s): Author.
