Please meet talented writer Mary Bradford who answered some questions, and then stay for a blurb of her book, Don't Call Me Mum!
Mary, can you please tell me a little bit about yourself?
Married and a mother of four and also
Nana to two little boys at present. From Cork, so Irish. I’m a middle child and
it was a case of too young for the older two and too old for the younger two.
But I am very close to my siblings and this reflects in my writing. I cover
family relationships, friendships and how life is seen from different
viewpoints within the same family.
How long have you been writing?
Oh so long now that I can’t recall when
I started. I do remember writing letters to friends abroad that would be ten
pages of foolscap or A4 as it’s now known. Wow, I really am showing my age,
does anyone write letters nowadays?
When did you know you wanted to be a
writer? Was it a gradual decision or did you just suddenly know?
I never saw myself as a writer. It just
seemed to evolve to what I did once my family were raised and time became mine
again.
Do you have an agent/publisher and how
did you find the experience of getting one?
I don’t have an agent but seeking one
for the first time this year after receiving advice to do so. I have a
publisher, Tirgearr Publishing that my first two novels and a novella are with.
It was a daunting task, because I was totally green when it came to seeking
either. I assumed you wrote a book, sent it to publishers and then after so
many rejections you found a publisher. I was blessed my first novel I’d ever
written was published, which I believe does not always happen.
What are your tips for dealing with
rejection?
Acceptance. Once you say to yourself,
not everyone is going to want my work, but someone out there will, then you
move on. It applies to all creative styles. We are individuals’ so we all can’t
like the same thing.
What genres do you write?
I write mainly Contemporary/Women’s
which my novels are, but also I have dabbled in Western and Erotic fiction. I
was asked to write two western novellas by a group of writers in the USA, which
I did and I loved the research involved for that era. I see myself going back
to it sometime. It was the same for the erotic/adult romance, I was offered the
challenge by my publisher for their Hot City Night Series. I say challenge
because it had strict guidelines to write to. A challenge is always a good
thing.
What time of day to you prefer to write?
There is no set time of day, but I do feel
better when I write in the morning.
Do you have a special writing space?
I am going to my local library for eight
years to write.
Do you outline your books ahead of time or
just go for it?
I just go for it. I usually know the idea/plot
I want to write and how I think it will end. But I never know what the next
scene will be or the next word is until I sit down and hit the keyboard.
Who are your favourite authors?
I have too many to name plus if I’m honest,
I cannot for the life of me recall names or titles but I can tell you the type
of cover!!
If you could recommend one book that
everyone should read, what would it be?
Gosh what a brilliant question, can I
say mine? See above answer for not knowing names, sorry Amanda.
Your latest book Don’t Call Me Mum is
women’s fiction, what was the inspiration behind it and is there anything you
would like readers to know?
This book, my second published novel is
a follow up to My Husband’s Sin. The main character, Lacey Taylor is on a quest
in book one and I was thrilled and a bit chuffed when readers while leaving
their great reviews asked me what happened next to Lacey. So that is how it
came about and I am also thrilled to say those loyal readers have asked for a
third, which I am writing. But that’s it then for the Taylor family I promise.
Each book though can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Is this a series and if so how many
books are planned for the series?
I am working on the last book of this
trilogy at present. My publishers have named the series, The Lacey Taylor
Story.
Where can readers find out more about
you?
I have a website, https://marytbradford.com/
and also a newsletter that readers might like to sign up for. Readers can go to
my author page at http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Bradford_MaryT/
Also I’m on Facebook, Twitter,
Goodreads, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Is there a question I haven’t asked that
you would love to answer?
I think your questions have been great
and covered all. I would like to add that if anyone reading this is thinking
about writing, go for it. Everything can be managed with baby steps. That’s my
motto, take it in baby steps and you will get there. Plus read, reading is
important if you are a writer. I joined my local library when I was five years
old, maybe I was destined to be a writer all those years ago.
What are your working on now and when is
your next book due out?
I am working on the final book of The
Lacey Taylor Story, titled Too Late Now. I also have another novel, which has a
working title, Cregane Court which is out seeking an agent at present. No dates
yet fixed for publication.
Now for a spotlight on Mary Bradford's book--
Don’t Call Me Mum
Raised
by a cold stepmother, Lacey Taylor’s life was turned upside down by the stroke
of a pen, putting her on a path to find her birth mother, Cora Maguire. Having
found her, life is not as sweet as she hoped for. Cora is not the maternal type, for
her, career is paramount to all else, even to her only child, Lacey. Their
relationship, is at best strained. Lacey battles for her mother’s affection but
when her life-path takes an unplanned twist, Cora is furious.
Lacey’s half-siblings, the Taylors want to help, but they have their own demons
that threaten to rip the family apart. The price Lacey pays for happiness is
high, how high surprises everyone. Don’t Call Me Mum, a drama that explores the
ups and downs of life and what can make some families break in the face of
heartache, it can strengthen others.
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