Interview: Belinda Robinson talks about Unforgetting

Belinda Robinson is the daughter and literary executor of the renowned playwright Bruce Mason. She grew up in Wellington and gained an MA(Hons) in English Literature from Victoria University. She has had a lengthy career in marketing communications as a copy/content writer, creative director, brand manager and web content manager, most recently at the University of Auckland.

Unforgetting – a Memoir is her first book. Belinda talks to NZ Booklovers.

Can you tell us a little about Unforgetting?

Unforgetting is the story of my extraordinary childhood and its effects on my adult life. It covers eight early years living in a large Victorian house with my two younger siblings, dominated, manipulated and abused by a psychotic nanny who was addicted to opioids. Meanwhile, our parents unknowingly pursued their illustrious careers – until my brother and I seized an opportunity to break out of our virtual prison. After the nanny was banished, life was better, and encouraged by our parents, we swept our pain and anger under the carpet of our reprieve. Our feelings didn’t fully emerge again until much later in our lives.

My title, Unforgetting, reflects my discovery that I had been suffering from dissociative amnesia throughout my adult life – as had my siblings. Writing this memoir has served as a process whereby I reviewed my memories of a traumatic childhood and achieved a kind of closure.

How difficult was it writing your first book, Unforgetting?

Very difficult, and not difficult at all. I had thought about writing my story many times during my adult life, but while my parents were still alive I thought the damage to their reputations would be too great. It wasn’t until I read Charlotte Grimshaw’s memoir The Mirror Book in late 2021 that I finally decided to tell my story. Once I made that decision, the writing was easy.

What research was involved?

I spent many days at the J.C. Beaglehole Room at Victoria University Te Herenga Waka reading some of my father’s voluminous correspondence to family members and to his confidant, which opened my eyes to a whole new person. I did the usual online research, Ancestry.com, etc) to establish the ‘whats’ and ‘whens’ of my heritage. But the ‘whys’ were the most difficult, requiring therapy, hypnosis and a lot of discussion with my remaining sibling to dig out the memories of my childhood that I had buried for so long.

What was your routine or process when writing this book?

My career as a content creator and copywriter had naturally petered out by the middle of 2021, so I had ample time to write. A typical day involved domestic chores and exercise in the morning, the afternoon writing, and the evening relaxing or socialising and contemplating the next day’s tasks.

If a soundtrack was made to accompany the new book, name a song or two you would include.

Oh my goodness. My life has been full of music of every genre. My father was an accomplished pianist with a passion for Mozart. I was obsessed with the Beatles and their ilk throughout my teens and early adulthood. I married a musician and our house was always filled with music. I wrote several songs with him; some of them are in the book. I guess if I had to name a single song it would be Steely Dan’s ‘Reelin’ in the Years’.

What did you enjoy the most about writing Unforgetting?

I revelled in the certainty that my story was worth telling, and that I had the skills to tell it well.

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

Dinner and a nice bottle of wine with friends.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

That would be a dead heat between Orbital by Samantha Harvey and Long Island by Colm Toibin. The former for its concept: six astronauts from Russia, Britain, France, America and Japan orbit Earth 16 times in a single day. Their view of Earth and all its gorgeousness is the heart of this exquisitely lyrical meditation. The latter, a sequel to 'Brooklyn' but a stand-alone story, for the unforgettable character of Eilis Lacey. A riveting read.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

Travel to Europe, and perhaps a hip replacement. Then I might think about writing a novel. Eek!