Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I used to work in the financial industry and then in chemical shipping. I gave up work after the birth of my first child. I had studied Mathematics at the University of London and when the Financial Crisis of 2008 hit I understood a lot more than people were being told. I looked at my previous career and realized that the world my children would live in was never going to be like the one I was brought up in. This realization led me to change everything about my life; where I lived, how I lived, how I earned my money and what I spent my money on.
This is my first book and it took a huge amount of soul searching. I know that many people would not want to lay bare their life as this book does mine, and for this reason I nearly used a pen name; but I want to take responsibility for my choices – so I published using my real name.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called How to Survive Life and Poverty. It is an account of how my family and I ended up in the village where we life today. Our journey was an adventure. There have been so many struggles, disasters and mistakes that I could never list them out. But somehow, amongst all the chaos we have become so much stronger. We are a lot poorer financially, but richer in so many other ways.
I am obsessed with the news and everyday I watch the world change and all the people I know continue to do the same as they did the day before. The reason I wrote this book was to let people know that however daunting change is, if you take it just one step at a time then it is not only possible, but it can lead to amazing places and beautiful discoveries.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am very solitary in my writing, partly because I have questioned so many of the ideas which I was brought up with. I know that many friends and family are disconcerted by the honesty of my writing. Hence I do not discuss my writing with anyone.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was very influenced by the E L James trilogy, for me it showed that people are very easily distracted. The underlying story of a little boy who was abused and how he managed his life to cope with it was completely lost both in the press and on the majority of readers. As a result I have tried to make sure that no one can miss the points I try to make in my writing. To me these books very clearly illustrated how far people will go to avoid something which is unpalatable.
What are you working on now?
I am now working on a book about how to follow your dreams. A teacher at my sons school recently asked what the kids wanted to do when they grew up. My son answered that he wanted to skateboard. This was immediately shot down in flames as not being a job. Little did the teacher realize that my son had already drawn pictures of the park he wanted to build and what he would offer. To me if that skate park is built and offers just one person a sanctuary from their stresses then it is a success. Most peoples dreams are for something better, and I think that we should all encourage this in the next generation – and at the moment the global economy certainly does not seem strong enough to support that generation through corporate employment.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have no idea about how to promote my book. I am hoping that people will be looking for something and find it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I cannot really offer advice to new authors as I am one myself, but to aspiring authors I would say: Just go and write it. I think there is a great fear of judgment and failure, but we are judged continually and need to not let it squash us.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Adapt or die.
What are you reading now?
I am reading Les Miserables in French. I love the story and to be able to read it in the original language was a goal of mine which I am finally achieving (with the help of a dictionary!)
What’s next for you as a writer?
Now I need to get started on the actually writing of my Follow Your Dreams book.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Les Miserables, Lord of the Flies and probably the Complete Shakespeare
Author Websites and Profiles
Mirrie Kelly Website
Mirrie Kelly Amazon Profile
Mirrie Kelly’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account