Tell us a little about yourself.
I emigrated from England to Canada over 10 years ago. It was here my writing life began when I happened across a writing group meeting notice. It was a ‘new’ creative pastime for me, as I had dabbled in most forms of art in my life up to that point. Most of my writing is free flow, although my current project is a trilogy and requires some planning. I have been the secretary of the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County for over 10 years. I am fully immersed in the writing community. You could say it is an obsession of mine. I am also a freelance writer and have completed projects from writing new bios, social media, editing manuscripts, to ghostwriting a business book.
Why do you write?
The simple answer is I enjoy creating imaginary worlds, but in essence, because the process gives me an incredible creative outlet. The narrative fuels my imagination and directs me to new avenues as I write. It is as enthralling to me as it is to my readers when I am creating the story. They play in my head like a movie.
What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?
I am a multi-genre author with nine published books spanning children’s, YA, and adult fiction. So in answer to this question, I write the story and then decide which genre it fits into rather than the other way around. The story is king.
Tell us about your book.
My last book was published in September 2020. The Commodore’s Gift is a steampunk adventure with a splash of romance. My main character, Owena, does not conform to the customarily expected role in Victorian society but proves she is a capable fighter and leader within a rebel force. They fight against a tyrannical militia and its Commander.
How much time do you dedicate to your author career?
I dedicate a good proportion of my time to my writing, book promotion, readers, and the writing community. I am fully immersed in multiple social media sites as well as maintain a blog twice a week. Before COVID, I attended many events during the year, so now connection with my readers is through virtual means.
How long on average does it take you to write your books?
I have just finished the first draft of book one in my detective trilogy. It began in November 2020 during NaNoWriMo—so this book has evolved over six months. However, more editing and revision will be done, and it will not be ready to publish until September 2021. Saying that my first manuscript went through years of modifications, it was written in 2009 and published in 2018. So it all depends on how happy I am with the story structure or if another project demands my immediate attention and displaces one.
What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?
Membership to my writing group by far! Without their support and encouragement, I would not be a writer or a published author.
What is the most challenging part of being an author?
Having the time to write uninterrupted but balancing that with the need to promote. There are so many other calls on our time, such as full-time work, family, friends. etc., that time becomes finite. We are all balancing time.
What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?
Believe in your storytelling ability. You are unique, and so is your story. Don’t let anyone dictate how or what you write.
What is your favorite book?
Oh, goodness, that is a tricky question. I am a Stephen King fanatic, so any of his books are favorites. I have one book I reread a lot through, Ferney by James Long. It is the best reincarnation novel out there; it is exquisite. Reincarnation and life after death have always been a fascination for me. As for my own stories, it is always the last one I wrote.
Follow Mandy:
Twitter https://twitter.com/mandyevebarnett
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Mandyevebarnettcom/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mandyevebarnett/
Freelance https://tailoredthemedtosuit.wordpress.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-eve-barnett-58235250/
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/mandywordsmith/
Blog https://mandyevebarnett.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/…/6477059.Mandy_Eve_Barnett…
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MDUAS0V
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Mandy+Eve-Barnett
Alberta Authors Cooperative http://www.albertaauthorscooperative.ca/
Publisher Dream Write Publishing. www.dreamwritepublishing.ca