Q&A with aspiring writer Sam

Sam Zinner is working on her debut novel. After completing the first part of an intensive writing course, she always wanted to continue with the second part and sharpen her skills even further. With the support of the Life not Limits Grant in memory of Ros Harman, she is one step closer to bringing her story to life.

I’m Sam, a retired actor and filmmaker, currently working in finance. My days are mostly filled with medical appointments, work, my husband and my puppy!

In 2018, I was living in Sydney and experienced months of pins and needles in my arms, along with what I now know is Lhermitte’s. By mid-2019, I was having frequent blinding headaches and eventually felt I needed to give up and come home to my mum! Two days after driving into Perth, I lost sight in one eye which led to an MRI and diagnosis within six weeks. The ‘blinding’ part of the headaches had actually been optic neuritis. It was a huge relief to have the diagnosis.

I like to say that I’m just a lifelong storyteller. I’ve been a voracious reader since the age of four and always loved films and how stories connect us. Opening our minds to seeing the world from a different perspective than ours; or making us feel seen in ways we might not feel in real life. I also think some books find you at the exact time in your life that they’re meant to. I’d love to be that for someone else one day.

It’s a young adult fiction novel. It actually started with a dream 
about a decade ago. I’ve always had bonkers dreams that I usually remember. I originally thought it would make a feature film script, but I’m happy it’s going to be a novel instead. There is just so much more you can capture in a book than on a screen.

Like I didn’t have to give everything up. There’s also a lot more freedom in making your own art versus always waiting to be part of someone else’s.

It gave me permission to follow through. When you have a chronic illness and a job, life is a constant balancing act and your creative pursuits are constantly being shoved to the bottom of the pile.

I completed an initial draft of the novel in 2022 but never made my way back to finalising it. The Grant has allowed me to get out of my own way and I’m already seeing the benefits on the page.

The best possible second draft for my book, ready for the next steps on the road to hopefully publishing it.

I’m so grateful to MSWA for the support I’ve received in the last seven years, and especially for this opportunity as a recipient of the Life not Limits Grant. 

My sincerest thanks to Ros Harman for truly embodying, “Whoever said MS has to stop you from doing anything?”