It’s an interesting question because, believe me, it’s not for the money. As a small child I loved making up stories and games and I lived in a wonderful world of make believe. At school this translated into writing essays which always gave me pleasure.
I can escape real life and control the actions of my characters. Well mostly. It is difficult to explain – for sometimes it feels like they have lives of their own. When I am engrossed in writing I don’t always know where David, Sion, Nick, Susan and the others are taking me. Dorothy tells the story of bringing me in a cup if coffee when I was writing Tears II and I said “Sion’s on a train and has met this women Kirsty – it wasn’t meant to happen – I don’t know where it will lead!!” That unexpected twist that readers enjoy so much – it is even more exciting for the writer. This has resulted in me being wide awake in the middle of the night more times than I care to remember.
I can also ensure a happy ending to a story when we all know happy endings are often not the outcome of real life events.
But there is another element to why I write and that is the effect on others. I have had many e-mails and letters over the years from people who have been kind enough to tell me they have enjoyed my books. I have received messages that both humble me and make me glad that I do what I do.
I’d like to share part of an email I received a couple of weeks ago:
“Mary had survived the 2nd world war age12 by sleeping under her bed with a torch and a mattress surrounded by her books. She escaped into another life and forgot the horrors of war.
Mary read all your books during her 3 years of cancer and took great comfort reading them until her final exit.
I was looking for a gift for Christmas and when I saw you with your books little did I know the comfort you would bring over the next 2 years. I bought 3 books and mum was delighted with her gifts. I then bought more from you the next year for mum’s birthday and you were very kind as to pop in with them to her home. That day you made a very old lady’s day. Mum enjoyed your visit and was always interested in everyone she met. You were top of her list.
Thank you so very much for your kindness and for helping Mary through a very painful 6 weeks before she died.”
As I say very humbling and Dorothy shed a few tears at reading this heartfelt email. I asked Mary’s daughter if I could share the above. To me it is a tribute to every writer whose occupation is frequently a lonely one. There are very few writers who gain the public acknowledgement, the plaudits and awards. To me the words of Mary’s daughter are worth a million accolades.
On that sobering note I would just like to say that A Million Tears is being promoted on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st March on Kindle and you can download it for the giveaway price of nothing, nil, nada, gratis, zilch – you get the message. And finally to all the Mums out there – have a wonderful well deserved Mothering Sunday.