How Kreefkop Baai Came To Be: Sparked Imagination

Imagine this: a sleepy coastal town, the salty breeze sweeping in from the ocean, whispers of folklore hanging in the air, secrets lurking beneath the tumultuous waves. That’s where my story begins—not just my novel, but my journey as a writer. I’m so glad you’re here to share it with me.

Since this is my very first blog post, I thought I’d take you behind the scenes of my debut novel, The Winds of the Wild Coast. I’ll share how it all started, what it’s become, and a little of what’s next. So, grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s dive into the story behind the story.

A rough idea of the style of town that I try to capture in the novel, The Winds of the Wild Coast.

How It All Began

It all started with an afternoon of daydreaming in high school. My imagination, overactive as usual, struck me with a wild idea—a thrilling ending for a movie. A character defies the odds, escaping certain doom in an unforgettable twist. Then it dawned on me: This would make the perfect twist in a novel.

From there, a few ideas floated around in my head. Like dust motes settling on a windowsill, they slowly began to fall into place, and a rough story began to form.

I started to write it down. This was in March 2015.

Without a laptop at the time, I grabbed a notebook and began writing by hand. I had no specific goal for this story yet; I was simply enjoying the process. During lunch breaks here and coffee breaks there, I made slow but steady progress.

A few months later, I finally got a laptop, which sped things up. But soon, final exams took priority, leaving little time for my passion project. By early 2016, I had a bit more free time to build my fictional world. Ideas kept coming, and I spent my spare hours dreaming up characters and piecing together the world of Crayfish Cove, a little coastal town inspired by the rugged beauty of South Africa’s coastline.

The Evolution of a Story

In December 2016, I finally completed the first draft on my computer. It felt monumental to have seen it through, and I was deeply satisfied. I shared a PDF version with a few friends and family members, but beyond that, I kept the project close. The little feedback I received was encouraging.

Fast forward two years, and the story continued to linger in my thoughts. I sensed untapped potential and decided to translate it into English to reach a broader audience. Around that time, the idea of publishing it began to take root, though I tucked the thought away for later.

Life got busy, and I only made it halfway through the translation before other commitments pulled me away. But the characters and world of Crayfish Cove stayed with me, tugging at the back of my mind.

Stoking the Fire

Recently, after reading some inspiring books that rekindled my love for storytelling, I picked up The Winds of the Wild Coast again. This time, I’m reworking it from the very start, drawing on everything I’ve learned over the last few years. Since 2017, I’ve been working as a freelance copywriter, ghostwriter, and proofreader. With over 100 projects completed, I’ve grown considerably since that first version of my story. Originally, I envisioned The Winds of the Wild Coast as a novella of around 30,000 words, but now I’m expanding it into a full-length novel, deepening the characters, and weaving in layers I hadn’t even imagined back then. It’s been a beautiful challenge, and I can’t wait to share more of it with you.

To give you a little peek into where it all started, I’ll be sharing a photo of the novel’s first page in Afrikaans alongside the first English translation—my starting point and the journey it’s been on ever since.

What’s Next?

Here on the blog, I’ll be sharing updates about The Winds of the Wild Coast, along with thoughts on writing, book reviews, and some behind-the-scenes glimpses into the writing process. Writing a novel is a bit like setting out on an unknown path, and I’m excited to walk it with you all. I hope this blog can be a cozy space where we can talk about stories, dreams, and everything in between.

I’d love to hear a bit about you, too! If you feel like sharing, drop a comment below and tell me about your favorite stories, what brings you to this space, or even where you’re from. I’m thrilled to have you here. Until next time, remember—write stuff down.

Warmly,
Mozzie