First off, tell us a little about yourself…
Hi, I’m Anna Mainwaring, author of two YA books, ‘Tulip Taylor’ and ‘Rebel with a Cupcake’. When I’m not writing, I teach English or go on long (socially distanced) walks. I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was five; it’s just taken a little longer than I anticipated!
Tell us about your latest book…
‘Rebel with a Cupcake’ started as Nanowrimo project in 2011. Seventeen versions later, it was first published in France and then in the US. It’s being re-issued in the UK with a beautiful new illustration by Niki Pilkington. It’s all about a confident, sassy girl called Jess who experiences a wardrobe malfunction on a school Own Clothes Day, setting off a series of events which lead her to question her self-worth. Jess has been called a ‘younger Bridget Jones’ (Chelley Toy) and a ‘beautiful and funny tale of friendship, lust, hunger and satisfaction) Matt Killeen.
What was your nickname at school? (If you had one)
Swot!
Were you good at writing at school?
Apparently so. I edited an award-winning newspaper when I was 13.
What was your favourite book as a child?
So many – ‘The Lord of the Rings’ had a huge effect on what I read, so after I read that at seven, I then sought out Susan Cooper and Alan Garner. I met Alan a few years ago at his house a few miles from where I live. It was a very special afternoon!
What was it that inspired you to become a writer?
I think wanting to write is such a strange ambition. It seems quite egotistical to want to create your own world and characters. However, I can’t imagine not wanting to write and I get very tetchy when I’ve not written for a while. But it was the writers above who inspired me. I loved/love that feeling of being immersed in another world – reading is as close to magic as we get! But though I read lots of fantasy as a child, I’ve ended up writing contemporary books with comic and romantic elements. This has evolved from being a teacher and wanting to write something that reflects the real pressures on teenagers at the moment and trying to give them some comic relief!
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Not reading enough in the genre that you want to write in! You have to read like a writer in order to write.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
You’ll get there in the end. Hard work does pay off!
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
What a brilliant question! Many of my lessons all explore the idea that if you can control language, you can influence people in a way that you can’t otherwise. I suppose reading poetry as a child, reading it out loud and feeling that it was powerful and made me feel powerful, even if I didn’t understand the words.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I’m not going to name names because then I’m worried I’ll not mention someone and they’ll get offended! But I did an MA and was blessed with the best cohort to do it with. We’ve become each other’s cheerleaders but the most wonderful thing is finding a group of people who think like you do. Before I’d done my MA I’d never really met anyone who seriously wanted to be a writer and it was like meeting my people or tribe for the first time. After that I joined SCBWI and the north west group are the most amazingly talented and generous bunch of writers. Having your work critiqued by other writers is terrifying the first time but it’s the only way to improve. So, if you want to write, try and find your writing people. Without them all, I wouldn’t have had two books published.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
Well, I’m a writer, teacher, tutor, workshop leader and exam marker too. Like many writers, I do a number of different things!
Has a book ever made you cry? What was it?
I made the foolish decision to read ‘A Monster Calls’ during a year 8 library lesson. At the end, I had to hide behind a stack of books and have a good weep!
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
I’ve read so many brilliant books written for children and young people that sometimes I get impatient with books written for adults. Sometimes it takes ages for something to happen and I’m left thinking, “You’d never get away with this in children’s fiction”!
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Well, it clearly affects some people so I have to believe in it. It happens! Since I’ve really focused on my writing (last nine years or so), I’ve never not been able to write something. Whether I write something good or not, is a whole different issue! Sometimes you have to show up and get some words out, and there’s a nugget of gold in there. It can take me a while to find the voice of what I want to write. Once I’ve got the voice, then I know I’m on the way and then I have to wrestle with that demon called Plot!
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I have a number of names anyway – my birth name and my married name. I’ve gone with my birth name as Anna Mainwaring is the more distinctive of the two. Depending on what I write in the future, I might use my other name.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Treating myself to a few days away at Gladstone’s residential library in north Wales.
What did you do with your first pay check?
Bought a bottle of expensive champagne and saved the rest.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
There’s a spherical sparrow who comes to eat at the bird feeder in my garden. That’s my spirit animal.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
Two that haven’t sold. One on submission. Another one in the planning stages. A few I’ve started and love but I’m not sure on the direction yet so they’re in the back burner.
What does literary success look like to you?
Having time to write.
And most importantly… What is your favourite biscuit?
Another tough question! I’m torn between ginger creams and dark chocolate hobnobs. The hobnobs win because it’s just a genius name.
Thank you Anna for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this! And much hobnob respect.
If you’d like to know more about Anne then check her out:
Website: Anna Mainwaring | Twitter: @Anna_mainwaring
*If you would like to do your own q&a to feature on the blog then send me an email…
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