Welcome to Mary Ellen Bramwell Welcome to Uncaged! Your newest book, In Search of Sisters will release on April 15th. Can you tell readers more about this book and what inspired it? The book is about the need we all have to connect with other people. It focuses on one woman, Mira, and her discovery of herself through connecting with others. I grew up with three older brothers and have sought surrogate sisters my whole life. But, honestly, I’d never thought of writing such a book until I considered a trip to Europe. The thought of people everywhere each living their lives, having ups and downs, needs and concerns struck me. We are more alike than we are different. Could I connect (in a book) with all those other humans?
Where the Red Fern Grows made me cry. But, honestly, the first book that brought me joy was Go, Dog, Go. I loved the words and the pictures. Clearly, I’ve been reading books since I was small. What are some things you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing or working?
I jot down ideas when they come – on a walk, in the shower, from a dream. I’d love to say I have a formula for coming up with the next book, but the truth is the ideas come to me whenever they feel like it.
I love playing games – board games, card games, strategy games, cooperative games. I’m always on the lookout for a new game. Also, I find putting together jigsaw puzzles a great way to unwind. Both games and puzzles are things I do with my family, which makes them even better. And baking! Who could forget baking!
What do you have coming up next that you can tell us about?
How many hours a day do you write? On average, how long does it take to write a full novel?
I’m really excited to have a sequel to my first book, The Apple of My Eye, coming out in October 2021. It takes place a dozen years later and follows the lives of a mother and her teenage son. Titled The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far, It’s rich with real-life struggles.
I probably write eight or nine hours a day, six days a week, but this can vary. When I have a burst of ideas, I might write so much, so fast that I get burned out after four hours yet have been more productive than most days. My last two novels took about six months each (a much faster rate than the first three).
Where do you find your inspiration for the next novel?
What are you looking forward to doing when the pandemic is over that you haven’t been able to do? Traveling and spending more time with my family. Once the fear of contracting or spreading the virus is diminished, I think the real joy will come from having choices again. What was the first book that made you laugh and/or cry?
Do you prefer ebooks, audiobooks or physical books? Are you reading anything now? I prefer physical books, but I will read ebooks. I just finished reading Poet X, I’m currently reading an advance copy of Landscape of a Marriage, and I have a rereading of Tess of the d’Urbervilles lined up next.
Issue 57 | April 2021 |
39
