Graduate says writing first book saved her life

By Amy Andacich     THERE are many highs and lows that come with publishing a debut novel. Murdoch graduate Meagan Dux it has been a long and tiring journey but she couldn’t be happier with the publication of The Rise Of Delilah. Dux, 25, graduated last year with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and drama while writing the book she has self-published. The Rise of Delilah, a fictional story for readers 15 years and older is about a 21-year-old Perth woman, Delilah Walker who, despite her mother’s objections sets out on a journey to find the father she never knew. “When I have ideas for a book, they stem from nowhere, ideas just flow,” Dux says. “For this novel I was thinking about how a 21-year-old would cope with the demands of life while trying to keep herself afloat.’’ Dux says the central character’s personality and strength is based on women she is surrounded by in her own life. She also revealed that having been diagnosed with severe depression in 2013, writing The Rise of Delilah saved her life. “I still suffer from severe depression, but writing has given me a creative outlet to help ease the tension of it,” Dux says. Fans of the book say they can relate to its loveable characters. Bobby Cooper, who has read the book, says the story is intense: “It deals with many issues that readers can relate to,” Bobby  says. “The journey that Delilah goes on to find her father is very inspiring and my advice to anyone thinking of reading the book is to be prepared.”. Dux, who who hopes to become a full-time author, is completing a second novel and has started writing her third. “This next story is something I’m so passionate about, and I cannot wait to share it with the world,” Dux says.