"The countryside is where I'm happiest," said Martha Higgins, as the Sligo-based author who grew up on a small mixed farm told Agriland about her love of writing and her debut novel, Hiding from the Heart.

According to the book blurb, it tells the story of Colette Keogh who, at 17, "wants nothing more than to escape the family farm in the west of Ireland. Escape her mother's criticism. Escape a future that's already been written". However, when her father suffers a stroke, her plans turn to dust.

The book goes on to describe how Colette meets her love interest only to lose him tragically, before she finally makes it to Dublin, where "the reality is far from what she imagined". However, a new friendship causes her re-examine the benefits of her rural homeplace.

Hiding from the Heart is independently published by Kazoo Independent Publishing, who say the book will resonate with many rural dwellers.

Martha, who is 66, began writing seriously during Covid when she was off work.

She told Agriland: "My first book is in a drawer. I hope to use parts of it again. I learned a lot from the experience. I retired when I was 62 and began this book some months after that.

"There is a lot of advice out there about writing, but the best piece I read is: 'Writers finish books'. I kept this in mind always."

From Co. Sligo, bordering Co. Roscommon, Martha is back in her home county now, in the village of Ballisodare. She has lived in counties Meath, Dublin and Galway, as well as a short stint in South Africa.

Growing up, all the family worked on the farm, saving hay, turf, feeding the animals, milking cows, mucking out. "It was all part of my life," she recalled.

"My brother still lives in the home place with his family and my nephew is now farming there part-time. I love to visit and have a strong attachment to the place. And this sense of belonging is a feature of the book."

Martha who has been described as a modern Maeve Binchy, reads voraciously.

"I was born with a hearing impairment and reading was a real solace to me, I could completely depend on reading but I could easily get things wrong by not hearing correctly.

Before retirement, Martha's day job was in food preparation and later on in administration. She also did a degree as an adult.

The author is currently working on another book, a work of historical fiction about a real person, Co. Leitrim socialist, Jimmy Gralton.

"This is close to my heart as I find him a fascinating character."

"My favourite authors are: Kevin Barry; Donal Ryan; James Rebanks, especially his book An English Pastoral where he looks at all the changes in farming, I think this book is iconic. I admire how he farms," Martha said.

"I love books about rural areas and people, quiet books, so John McGahern is also a favourite," said Martha, also who enjoys hillwalking and nature.

She encouraged anyone that has been thinking of writing a novel to put pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard.

"It's never too late to start," the author said.

Martha will launch Hiding from the Heart in Liber Bookshop, O'Connell St. Sligo, on Thursday, July 3 at 5.00pm; The Teachers' Club, Parnell Square, Dublin on Saturday, July 5 at 2.00pm; and at Ward's Hotel, Salthill Galway on Thursday, July 10 at 6.00pm.