Weston-super-Mare woman finishes dead granddaughter’s novel

A woman has completed her granddaughter’s unfinished novel after the teenager’s sudden death.

Allana Raine King, from Bristol, passed away in 2018 at the age of 19 due to complications from encephalitis, a rare autoimmune brain condition. According to her grandmother, Lorraine Martin, Allana had completed 90% of her novel before her death.

Ms Martin, from Weston-super-Mare, north Somerset, said it was a daunting task as she had no prior writing experience. But seeing it published feels like her granddaughter’s dream has finally come true

It is now on sale at Bristol’s Waterstones.

“By the time she was a teenager, Allana was rarely without a notebook, recording her feelings and daily experiences,” Ms Martin said.

“Allana was joyful, compassionate, and wise beyond her years. She had this incredible ability to connect with the emotions of others.”

The book, Land of the Free, follows a young man called Rocky in a dystopian world, where technology has taken over.

Ms Martin told the BBC her task of finishing the novel was made easier by extensive notes, left by Allana.

“I felt like I was lost at sea initially,” Ms Martin said.

“One day I came to the realisation that I’ve got to make an attempt to do this.

“And the story line was captivating so I got engrossed into it and it kept going from where Allana had arrived in the story.

“I found myself in a zone and the words and the storyline just seemed to happen spontaneously.”

At the time of her death, Allana was set to head to university to study creative writing.

Ms Martin always dreamed walking past Waterstone’s and seeing Allana’s book there.

“To have that dream, it was like my dream for her [has] come true.”

Half of all the proceeds made will go towards Encephalitis International, which supports the 4,000 people diagnosed with the condition in the UK each year.