‘Try and find love in every scenario’: Musician Natalie MacMaster shares her story in new book

Acclaimed fiddler, and now author, Natalie MacMaster chats about her new book, "I Have a Love Story."

Natalie MacMaster’s list of accomplishments continues to grow.

The fiddler, whose music is celebrated around the world, is a Grammy winner and Order of Canada recipient but she isn’t resting on her laurels. Instead, she’s become an author, with her new book, “I Have a Love Story.”

MacMaster’s book – published by Nova Scotia’s Nimbus Publishing – was an unexpected departure for the Cape Bretoner – who once said she would never write a book.

“I was very fueled by a specific moment in my life,” MacMaster said during an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Crystal Garrett. “I was just kind of overwhelmed with all of the terrible headlines in the world.”

The mother of seven said her book became an answer to the question: What kind of world are my children going to inherit? Despite the “heavy” things she was seeing, she found gratitude for all the things she was given.

“I started crying and saying, ‘Thank you God.’”

MacMaster said she was thinking about her parents, Cape Breton and the music traditions that she was raised in when she had a realization at 46 years old.

“I have a love story – and that’s the title of the book.”

MacMaster said her goal is to share the simple values she was raised by.

“There’s no shock value here,” she said. “It’s very simple and sweet.”

MacMaster said she’s always kept her personal life private but raising seven children while balancing her career comes up in every interview and gave her the courage to share her secret – which she says isn’t really a secret at all.

“I don’t have a sweet rule that you can just apply, other than, just try and find love in every scenario… and it’s not always a sweet thing. Sometimes it’s very messy.”

MacMaster, who’s accustomed to big stages as a musician, says she was thrilled to be sharing her Cape Breton roots at the Toronto International Festival of Authors, despite writing the whole book on her phone.

“I’m so honoured,” she said. “I still don’t consider myself a writer... but I got ‘er done.”

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