Interview With Author Rebecca Bryn
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live with my husband and dog in West Wales, and have grown-up children and a good scattering of grandchildren and grand-dogs. I love painting in watercolour and have written two ‘how-to’ books with demos about painting seascapes and animal portraits.
I am presently researching for my thirteenth novel, which is about the Merthyr Riot which took place in South Wales in 1831. I write mystery and fantasy novels, but my favourite genre is historical fiction based firmly in fact. I’ve written two historical trilogies and four stand-alones, one mystery tale, and one fantasy. I like to write about the under-dog, the oppressed, the common working man and woman, and have found that the subject of women’s rights has forced itself into my historical stories. I find the research into my topics fascinating, and I hope I impart some of that wonder and understanding of where we came from into my books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest publication is ‘Revenge’. I was looking for an historical miscarriage of justice to explore and came across the heinous treachery and disastrous events that led to the union of England and Scotland in 1707. How little I knew about this particular period of British history!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I always make a book cover before I begin writing a novel. It helps me see the characters and the setting. It sets the tone of the story in my mind.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien, Douglas Adams’ Hitchhikers, Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth, Catherine Cookson to name but a few.
What are you working on now?
An historical novel called ‘Give Us This Day’. It’s about the ironmaster and ironworkers of the Welsh Valleys and the riots that took place in Merthyr Tydfil in 1831 which was caused by extreme poverty during a recession and the cut in workers’ wages proposed by ironmaster, William Crawshay. The workers demanded their ‘daily bread’.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting is the bane of all independent authors. I use social media daily and book promotion sites several times a year.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Put your work out there and thicken your skin. Take criticism seriously and be prepared listen, digest and consider. Rewrite if the critique suggests a way to improve your work, and bear in mind that you can’t please everyone, so don’t take negativity too much to heart. Easier said than done. Authors are their own worst enemies.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do your research.
What are you reading now?
The Merthyr Rising by Gwyn A Williams – doing my research!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a couple of mystery ideas I’d like to follow up if another historical theme doesn’t beat me to them.
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?
Lord of the Rings, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, the Sword of Truth series (is that cheating as there are at least eleven books in the series?)
Author Websites and Profiles
Rebecca Bryn’s Social Media Links