A talented Lanarkshire teenager has spoken of her pride at having her first book published.
Sixteen-year-old Megan Hands, from Cleland, released Broken Pieces earlier this year having started writing the novel during the first lockdown.
Two years and 65,000 words later, the Brannock High pupil is delighted with the final work.
She told Lanarkshire Live : “I’m really pleased as it took a year and a half to write.
“It definitely helped me during lockdown as it gave me something to do.
“At the start I didn’t have a grand plan. I just had an idea and started writing.
“I didn’t think it would be as long as it was but I just kept getting bigger and bigger.
“It felt amazing to have it finished and the book in my hand.
“I have started writing the sequel.”
Broken Pieces tells the story of a young girl who has to adjust to life after the death of her parents and her younger sibling in a car accident.
The main character, Madi, then faces the challenge of a new school, making relationships with new friends and trusting teachers to support her through her grief.
Megan’s dad Joe couldn’t be more proud of his daughter’s work.
He told us : “The first time I read through it I was amazed at just how in-depth it was.
“She had clearly put a lot of thought into it.
“During lockdown she started writing it by hand and when she would have a bit of writers block she would start typing it and it just went from there.
“We are really proud of her.”
Broken Pieces by Megan Hands is on sale now from Amazon and from publishers Author House.
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