Over three months over the summer of 2015, Lorraine Wilson from Dundee, travelled solo through Europe by train, stopping at 57 destinations in 21 countries and covering 11,500 miles.
Initially, there was no book. There was just the journey, which the author, who for the past 30 years has worked in a variety of magazines, newspapers and other media, hoped would give her some time to think.
Why? Well, the previous five years had seen financial meltdown, heartbreak, bereavement, and poor health. Now with her house sold and all but two suitcases of possessions given away, she was struggling to decide where her life was heading.
Being 48, single, childless, and with no home to speak of, it made sense to stop and think. And the best way to do that? Head off into the unknown.
When friends heard of the plans they commended her for her bravery, many seemed to think that a 48-year-old woman backpacking through Europe for three months with no definite itinerary was something a bit more than adventurous.
A book was the best way of chronicling the journey, for good or bad. With just over a month until she was due to head off at the end of May, there was no time to consider sending a proposal to a conventional publisher so decided to extend the solo journey to self-publishing.
A speedy Crowdfunder raised just over £2,000, enough to finance the first run of the book and to gauge interest in the idea.
Once she had arrived back in Dundee in September, the book was written, edited, designed and published by the beginning of February 2016. It’s not a conventional travel book, although there are great tales from off the beaten track.
It’s not a self-help book, although there is a lot to be learned from travelling alone. It’s also not too serious – sometimes the biggest laughs come from the stickiest situations. In fact, at times it’s clear that she shouldn’t be allowed out alone…
“Until the journey was over I couldn’t really say what it would be, but if I had to pitch it to a film producer I could perhaps say ‘think Bill Bryson with boobs and a good stock of HRT patches’. I would also tell them there was much eating, but no praying or loving…” says Lorraine.
The result is Facing Forwards – Europe. Solo and no looking back.
Published by Whistle Books