Vivienne lives in Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand. She worked as an illustrator and artist before entering university as a mature student. In 2001 and 2002 she taught English in Japan, and began writing fiction. On her return to New Zealand, she completed a Masters in Creative Writing. After graduating, she continued with further study of creative writing, taking short story and travel writing courses. She compiled several novel drafts and many short stories along the way. When taking a break from writing, she paints or draws.
The (Almost) True Story of a Man Called Jack (2020)
This is a fictionalised memoir about my father, and recounts Jack’s life throughout the 1950s and 1960’s in the Hutt Valley north of Wellington, New Zealand. The family lived in a dilapidated old villa where thigh-high weeds were the garden and crazed concrete the front yard. But Jack had a plan to renovate; Jack always had a plan. He tried his hand at songwriting, singing, acting and art filling every moment of his short life. He was a great character and a great dad.
Pocket Money & Other Stories (2022)
I was about to begin a second novel when I decided to take a look at the many short stories I’d written, and decided to then put out a collection of twenty-one stories written over the past ten years or so. And so Pocket Money & other stories was brought to life and published in 2022.
My stories came from places I’d visited, people I’d known, or behaviours I’d observed. There are adult protagonists and children, and varied settings, from capital cities to New Zealand countryside. I let my imagination run wild.
Mrs Forsythe (2025)
Following the release of my short story collection I started writing my new novel. It was named from the start Mrs Forsythe to suit my somewhat formidable main character. I can say it took me some time to shape her to my demands.
From the cover blurb: “Marjorie Forsythe, reluctant wife and mother, has yearned for the time she can be on her own, and finally the day has come. It is 1970s Wellington, and the city beckons her to explore a different life, where her options and choices are based on her talents and intellect rather than societal norms… Will she ever be able to give and receive the love she needs and others wish for?”
Mrs Forsythe is available from CopyPress https://www.copypress.co.nz; Nationwide Books https://www.nationwidebooks.co.nz; Paradox Books https://www.paradoxbooks.co.nz; Unity Books https://www.unitybooks.co.nz/stores/wellington
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