Still grooving at 71 - KATY'S ROCK 'N' ROLL LIFE

From LA to Waiheke, her fascinating story takes readers on a wild ride

- Fleur Guthrie

Thinking back on her action-packed life, Kiwi musician and artist Katy Soljak always knew some of it would not have been out of place in a dramatic novel filled with colourful characters.

There was the teenage marriage to an alluring American musician 20 years her senior, whom she met in a record store on Auckland’s Queen Street.

Then when the relationship went sour, she fled across the States with her young daughter in tow, her guitar, a few dollars and the phone number of someone in Texas who might be able to help her.

Decades later, Katy decided to draw on these remarkable experiences for a “semi-autobiographical” novella titled It’s a Long Ride to Texas, Baby.

The book, which was published in November, is also illustrated with Katy’s vibrant paintings. It originally started off as a screenplay and has been optioned by filmmaker Mary-Lyn Chambers for adaptation into a feature film.

Chatting to the Weekly from her home on Auckland’s Waiheke Island, the multi-talented author laughs that the book reflects how her life has come somewhat full circle.

“It’s ironic really,” she tells. “I came to Waiheke to look after my first husband – who I had run away from all those years ago in Los Angeles – after he had a stroke.