WordPress.com presents

https://mandyevebarnett.com/2015/annual-report/

Onward and upward for 2016!

A fellow author reciprocated a blog interview with me and I almost missed it! The interview went live on 8th December. Follow this link to find it.

Thank you, Claire Luana and happy writing to you all in 2016.

http://claireluana.com/?p=733

Featured Author: Mandy Eve-Barnett
Occasionally I post features and interviews with different authors I’ve met in my online adventures. I’m pleased to introduce Mandy Eve-Barnett, author of novels and children’s books, through the interview below!

Interview with Multi-Genre Author Mandy Eve-Barnett

How many books have you written?

In total, I have written six books, two children’s and four adult. I also co-wrote two, one an anthology and the other a guidebook for memoir writing.

Which is your favorite? Is there one book in particular you have written that has a special place in your heart? Please share why.

A difficult question as they are all special in different ways. If I only wrote one genre, it would be easier to choose. Rumble’s First Scare is special because it was the first one, but Ockleberries to the Rescue reflects the wonder of the natural world, which was encouraged by my parents and passed down to my children. My adult romance time slip, The Twesome Loop, as yet unpublished is a favorite because it incorporates reincarnation, which is a lifelong fascination for me.

Do you have a specific writing style?

The short answer is no; I enjoy testing my writing skills with multiple genres and styles. I have written speculative fiction, fantasy, romance, suspense, and business writing as well.

What does fantasy enable you to do in your writing that other genres do not?

It is escapism in its purest form. There are no barriers, ideas, or concepts that cannot be created. Although the ‘worlds’ and ‘creatures’ must have their own rules, within the story’s plot, fantasy allows me to experiment without limits to my imagination.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

When an idea comes to mind, I begin writing without any planning or plotting. It is free flowing concept from mind to finger tip.

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

To be honest from anywhere and everywhere, overheard conversations, a photograph, a news story even prompts.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Rumble’s First Scare formed from a Halloween prompt as a short story. With some persuasion, I refined it and had illustrations created to enable Rumble to become a children’s picture book. I was early fifties!

Why did you begin writing?

When I immigrated to Canada, I promised myself a creative outlet. When I was younger, I tried out lots of crafts from pottery to painting to textiles, for whatever reason I never really dappled in writing. One short story was about it. I found a leaflet at the local library for a writers group and decided to attend a meeting. As the saying goes, I was hooked.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

With such a broad spectrum of genres, I have discovered each genre has its own rules and researching for the stories has uncovered some surprising topics – strict for research purposes only you understand. One such example – how does a body desiccate?

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When am wrestled away from my writing, I enjoy time with my family and friends, mini vacations and writing retreats. However, writing is usually my constant companion.

What book are you reading now?

I just finished Finders Keepers by Stephen King, The Lake House by Kate Morton and as my library visit is not until later in the week I am re-reading Stig of the Dump by Clive King, a childhood favorite. I find returning to favorites evokes an innocence in my Muse and therefore inspires my imagination. Subsequently, to this interview I have read Angels All Over Town by Luanne Rice and am almost finished Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. Next on the pile is Mariana by Susanna Kearsley and The Bazaar of Bad Dreams…

Tell us your latest writing news?

Last year I set myself a goal to complete two manuscripts by the end of 2015. Both were the culmination of NaNoWriMo madness. Some may say it is difficult to write and revise one manuscript let alone two but, as the genres were vastly different it was easy to switch back and forth. One is a western romance, Willow Tree Tears now submitted to Harlequin. The other, a suspense novel called The Giving Thief, is now in the hands of a beta reader. During the year, a chance Steampunk contest gave me the opportunity to submit a short story, now contracted for an anthology.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Always! The final edit of my suspense novel, The Giving Thief, has gone to beta readers. I will return to The Twesome Loop, a time-slip romance and a speculative fiction, Life in Slake Patch. These two novels have been on the back burner for some time and need to be completed. I also have a new children’s story formulating in my mind and have made copious notes on it already.

What advice would you give for amateur writers who are just starting to dabble in the world of creative writing?

Trust your instincts and allow your ideas to formulate without comparing it to preconceived impressions of what you should or should not write. Your writing is personal, special to you. Don’t restrict yourself in your creativity. Find a constructive critique-writing group, where you can share your words without fear of being pigeonholed and have positive support.

Where can readers find you online?

I connect with other authors, and readers to share my writing journey on my blog, http://www.mandyevebarnett.com. I use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ for announcing future events, book readings and special contests and progress on projects.