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Snells Beach resident and former Mahurangi College student Jasmine Donaldson has achieved a major milestone with the publication of her debut novel The People I Know Now, a young adult story about finding “your purpose and your people”.
Donaldson, now 26, began writing the book when she was 24, during a break between jobs.
“It took time to find my close circle of friends and figure out what I wanted to pursue after leaving school,” she says. “It can feel lonely if you don’t have the support you need during those moments, and I wanted to share a story that young adults would likely connect with.”
Her passion for writing began early, joining a writing club when she was still in primary school.
Since then, she has entered several short story competitions and earned a mention in last year’s NZ Writers College Short Story Competition, which encouraged her to keep going with her book.
The People I Know Now is her first published work and marks the beginning of what she hopes will be a long writing career.
“I’m currently working through ideas for another novel. I really enjoy young adult books, so for now I’m sticking with that path and seeing where the journey takes me.”
Donaldson’s long-term goals include continuing to write, learning new skills, and finding creative ways to inspire others.
“I hope to encourage young people to use their creativity, too.”
Outside of writing, she has worked in a range of roles including at Matakana Cinemas and hand-decorating pottery, and now works at the Mahurangi East library. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, spending time with family and friends, and doing aerial hoop acrobatics.
Readers can follow her journey at jasminedonaldsonauthor.com or on Instagram at @yabooksbyjaz.
Book Giveaway
Mahurangi Matters has a copy of The People I Know Now to give away. To go into the draw, email your contact details to gm@localmatters.co.nz with The People in the subject line by Wednesday, November 5.
