Interview with Mandy Eve-Barnett - The RV Book Fair 2025

Hi Mandy, what draws you to write across so many genres, from children’s stories to speculative fiction and more?

I follow the story that fills my imagination first and foremost. From the initial idea to characters chattering in my head and their direction of where the story needs to go, it is a process of channeling the ‘movie’ playing in my head onto paper. I allow my creativity to have full control. It isn’t until part way through the narrative that the genre comes into play. The age group and genre become evident as the story unfolds.

Do themes like identity and transformation reflect your own personal journey?

Certainly, I have found my identity as I have grown older through experiences – good and bad – as do most people. I cannot be the same person I was at ten years of age and forty years old, it is not possible. Being open to experiences and learning what works and doesn’t work for me has made me the person I am today. I have enjoyed many transformations in my life, from shy teenager, to confident nurse, to parent, to business owner, and to a published author to name a few. Life is about change and I embrace the changes that work best for me.

How has moving from the UK to Canada influenced your storytelling voice?

Firstly, until I came to Canada I did not write at all, so in that aspect moving here had a huge impact on my creativity. Having experienced life in England for half my life, I am now settled and enjoying a new experience and country, both continents influence what and how I write. In my narratives I explore the old world and the new world utilizing personal experiences and knowledge, which brings more depth to the stories I write. 

How has mentoring other writers shaped your own writing process?

I feel any interaction with other writers, whether novice, or expert affects me, and how I view the skill and process of writing. Everyone’s viewpoint is different and that is the exciting part of conversing with my peers. When I am writing in a new to me genre, I ask about the expectations of that genre’s readers with authors who write that specific genre. Having that support works both ways and I am happy to have encountered so many marvelous writers.

What themes or projects are you most excited to explore next?

This might seem an easy question, but with so many ideas in my head it is difficult to pinpoint one or two. Let me explain a little. I currently have a crime trilogy, a suspense novel, a rom-com, a character lead collection of stories, a time travel, a spicy romance and a non-fiction book all on the back burner. And yes, I will get to them once a new shiny project stops popping into my head.

In Willow Tree Tears, Madison faces a choice between tradition and adventure. What inspired this love triangle?

Deep down I think it began when I looked at some of the choices I made earlier in life. We all have those ‘what if’ moments when we look back. I wanted to formulate a story where the main character was at that pivotal point in their life when they could go either way in a choice that would have a fundamental effect on the rest of their life.

Mandy Eve-Barnett is an Edmonton Best Seller, multi-genre author, writing children’s, YA and adult books. With eleven books published since 2011, and another nine in various stages of completion, her writing life is full. This does not include her writing in numerous anthologies and magazines, and a variety of non-fiction projects through her freelance business, as well as presenter and panelist positions at various writing conferences and workshops.

Mandy draws on over 16 years’ experience as a multi-genre author, freelance writer and writing community advocate. She is the current Secretary of The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County and Scouting Manager for Relatable Media. She hosts the local Writers Circle monthly meeting and creates weekly writing prompts for the WFSC website.

Mandy has been blogging since 2010 and has visitors from 209 countries.

Find out more at: www.mandyevebarnett.com.