Under the Buldrick Empire’s rule, Owena finds herself fighting alongside a rebel force. Her aptitude for strategy and swordsmanship come to the fore. When she meets Galen, not only does she fall in love but becomes even more determined to join the fight to restore the rightful
King to the throne.
I'm pleased to welcome multi-genre author Mandy Eve-Barnett to The Writing Desk:
Tell us about your latest book
My latest novel was launched 26th September 2020 at the virtual book fair and sale, Words in the Park. It is a steampunk adventure/romance with a strong female lead. The Commodore’s Gift began life as a prompt at a writing retreat, in 2018. I thought I could submit the resulting story (8K words) to an anthology and did find one.
However, the project failed so then I put the story on the back burner. When NaNoWriMo loomed, I decided I would expand the story to a novella. Creating a beginning and ending to the central story. However, it became clear, pretty soon, after I began, that the characters had different ideas. The short story/novella grew to over 79K words and a novel.
Bizarrely the main character in the original story became a secondary character, as a strong, determined female personality took over as the heroine.
Owena is not the typical Victorian lady, she wants adventure and freedom from the normal society expectations. With determination and expertise, she joins the rebel force to conquer the oppressive Buldrick Empire.
What is your preferred writing routine?
I tend to have writing days, when everything else is secondary. I become totally absorbed in my characters and ‘live’ with them. I can write at my desk, on the sofa or on road trips. I have been a free flow/panster writer up until very recently, when my idea for this year’s NaNoWriMo popped into my head. It is a book series and I realized I had to plan the plot arc for each book and the series. This is a new experience for me, and I am enjoying learning about this new skill.
What advice do you have for new writers?
All writing is good writing in the sense that it is practice, practice, practice. It also is a way for you to learn how you create. This will become your writing voice in time. Test new genres and styles until you find the one (or ones) that resonates with you. Join a local writing group, that encourages and supports you and your style. Practice writing to a time limit, use prompts and enjoy the process of writing.
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?
Before COVID19, I attended many book events, which broadened my reach and gave me the opportunity to answer questions on my stories. I loved the interaction. Now, my main promotion avenue is social media (I am on a lot!) as well as my website. I also have great readers and followers, who also champion my books.
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research
Goodness, I have researched a lot of ‘strange’ things in my time. I think the weirdest one was when I was writing a suspense/thriller (The Giving Thief - unpublished at this time). I wanted to know under what conditions a body could desiccate/dry out.
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
I think a rape scene in The Twesome Loop was the hardest, as I didn’t want it to be too descriptive but at the same time be true to the act.
What are you planning to write next?
I’ve mentioned earlier, that a new, unexpected idea came to me recently. It will be a detective three book series. Firstly, a new genre for me and secondly my first three book series. I did write a sequel to a novella several years ago due to reader demand (The Rython Kingdom and Rython Legacy). This was a thrill, as you can imagine but gave me anxiety as I had not planned a follow up for the initial novella.
What advice do you have for new writers?
All writing is good writing in the sense that it is practice, practice, practice. It also is a way for you to learn how you create. This will become your writing voice in time. Test new genres and styles until you find the one (or ones) that resonates with you. Join a local writing group, that encourages and supports you and your style. Practice writing to a time limit, use prompts and enjoy the process of writing.
What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?
Before COVID19, I attended many book events, which broadened my reach and gave me the opportunity to answer questions on my stories. I loved the interaction. Now, my main promotion avenue is social media (I am on a lot!) as well as my website. I also have great readers and followers, who also champion my books.
Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research
Goodness, I have researched a lot of ‘strange’ things in my time. I think the weirdest one was when I was writing a suspense/thriller (The Giving Thief - unpublished at this time). I wanted to know under what conditions a body could desiccate/dry out.
What was the hardest scene you remember writing?
I think a rape scene in The Twesome Loop was the hardest, as I didn’t want it to be too descriptive but at the same time be true to the act.
What are you planning to write next?
I’ve mentioned earlier, that a new, unexpected idea came to me recently. It will be a detective three book series. Firstly, a new genre for me and secondly my first three book series. I did write a sequel to a novella several years ago due to reader demand (The Rython Kingdom and Rython Legacy). This was a thrill, as you can imagine but gave me anxiety as I had not planned a follow up for the initial novella.
Mandy Eve-Barnett
# # #
About the Author
Thanks for the opportunity Tony
ReplyDelete