Demet Divaroren has been waiting to share her family’s story with the world.
The Point Cook author, who is in the process of writing a memoir, recently received a $10,000 Australia Council grant.
She says the grant will help her complete the second draft of her memoir – which looks at the lives of her and her mother – with the help of a mentor.
Divaroren has been writing the memoir since 2010, completing the first draft earlier this year.
She says the money will help her set aside writing time and cover the cost of travel for a research trip to Turkey, where she will speak with her mother’s family.
She also plans to visit the cotton fields where her mother worked from the age 12, helping to set the scene for her story.
“It is an integrated coming of age memoir about a mother and daughter,’’ Divaroren says.
‘‘It’s about my mother’s story and my story and how they intertwine.
“I had a young mum – she had me when she was 15 – so it’s about us growing up together and finding our voices.
“I’ve been waiting all my life to write this.”
Divaroren moved to Australia with her family when she was six months old.
Her family returned to Turkey for two years when she was eight and came back to Australia when the Gulf War broke out.
Her memoir will look at her experiences growing up in Australia while simultaneously trying to embrace her Turkish culture.
“It will explore growing up with two languages, two cultures and two lives,” Divaroren says. “You come home and that is one world and you go outside to school and it’s a totally different experience. You fight for a place and identity.
“Now, when I look back, I’m glad I had those experiences. I am grateful I was raised between two worlds.”
