Meet Author Faith Mortimer

In today’s interview, author Faith Mortimer takes us across the pond to the Republic of Cyprus. Like myself, Faith can’t choose a single genre to write :-). I’ve been meeting a lot of interesting people lately and am having a good time introducing them to you. Now let me get out of the way so you can meet Faith.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m happily married to a super man, who gives me great support with my writing. He puts up with all my mood swings, up and downs and is always there when I need a bit more encouragement if things are not going quite right. We live 80% of our time in Cyprus in an old stone-house in the mountain foothills – perfect and quiet for writing all those books! We have a hectic life: lots of friends, socialising, travelling and sports. I wrote my first book in 2009(published) after completing an Open University degree. Taking the degree later on in life gave me the discipline; dedication and confidence that I realised I needed to write and complete my first book. Needless to say, I love writing and consequently lead a fabulous life.

Tell us something many don’t know about you.

• I am a Yacht Master (having owned and sailed 3 yachts). The farthest we sailed, was from the UK down through Europe and the West coast of Africa to the Cape Verde Islands, then across to the Caribbean, up to New York and as far down as Venezuela. This took us 3 years. Afterwards we brought the yacht back to the Mediterranean and took her East as far as Turkey.    
• I was brought up as a child in Malaya (now Malaysia) and Singapore – a service-brat.
• I regularly hash. No, not the smoking kind! This hashing is concerned with running across hard varied terrain, up hills and down scree. Extremely dangerous (especially at my age) and absolutely knackering! I really should know better.
• I enjoy treading the boards every year – this year we perform Romeo and Juliet at the open-air amphitheatre in Cyprus – fabulous!

What genre(s) do you like to read?
I enjoy a variety of book genre. Historical fiction has to be my favourite genre. I also enjoy thrillers, murder mysteries and of course romance.

What is your favorite novel and why?
The Far Pavilions by MM Kaye is my favourite book of all time. Set in India during the Raj – it has a beautiful and mysterious setting, lovely, colourful characters and a real sense of history. MM Kaye could write and spin a fantastic love story too!

What was the last novel you read that you enjoyed and why?
Believe it or not I’ve just about finished Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – I’m always late reading the ‘popular potboilers.’ I thoroughly enjoyed this book for numerous reasons.  Apart from the spectacular story and his obvious research, Larsson broke all the so-called ‘rules’ in writing. I just loved this! Bring on the radicals I say!

Dee here. I still haven’t read this book. You are the first person to say they loved it. The Borders near me is going out of business. I may have to swing over there to pick it up later today. THANKS for the recommend.

When did you begin writing?
I have written for fun ever since I was a child of about 10. I used to punish my sisters by making them listen to what I’d written. I got seriously into writing with The Crossing during my sailing days and started the novel round about 2005 whilst on board our yacht.

What genre(s) do you write?
The Crossing was a mix of genre, but mostly you could say it was: romance, adventure, historical fiction. My next novel that I will publish in April on Kindle is The Assassins’ Village, a murder mystery/crime of passion set in Cyprus. I am currently working on my 3^rd novel which will be historical fiction/murder.

Where do your concepts for your novels come from?
Concepts for my novels? My 1^st book is based on truth – especially the WW2 part and the storm across the Atlantic. I got the idea from a good friend one night, whilst we were all having dinner together. As he told us about his father and his wartime exploits I felt the hair stand up on the back of my neck. This was the story I had to write. The 2^nd novel was loosely based on observations of our friends in Cyprus. I felt mischievous in writing about all their scenarios. The 3^rd book is about my time living in Malaya as a child.

How long does it typically take you to write a book?
I suppose including the research time, it takes me about 18 months to two years to write a book.

Tell us about your latest book?
The Assassins’ Village is set in Cyprus. This novel was voted the best book for November 2010 on Authonomy.com – a brilliant achievement out of more than 8000 books to choose from! I am now patiently waiting for my Harper Collins/Authonomy review. The Assassins’ Village revolves around a collection of mostly expats who live in a mountain village. The whole group are mixed up with each other’s intrigues and dark secrets. When one is found foully murdered the whole community is in turmoil – there is a murderer amongst them. The book goes back to the 1970’s and more detailed intrigue is written concerning the villagers. Another death really rocks the people and there is a shocking end to the story. This is hopefully to be published in April. The Crossing (1^st book) is already in Kindle and paperback. It is a 130,000 word book that concerns a father and son and the lack of relationship between them. When the father dies, Richard, his son, is bemused when a bible is returned to the family after being hidden away in the US for 60 years. With help from the bible and an old chest full of wartime memorabilia, Richard sets out to explore his father’s strange life and is shocked at what he discovers. A romantic interest comes into the book and Richard finds he has to make a choice – which girl and is it the right one?

Where can readers purchase your latest book? Amazon US, Amazon UK, It is also available on other on-line stores and direct from the publisher, Olympia Publishers in London.

What other titles have you written?
Other titles I’ve written are: The Assassins’ Village and my current work which has a working title of A Rubber Planter’s Children.

If you could change one thing about your writing career thus far, what would it be?
If I could change one thing I’d start writing earlier. I’d also pay more attention in English grammar classes; find a good editor and agent. Self-marketing is damn hard work!

What do you find to be the best and worst part of being a writer?
Best part of being a writer is I am my own boss and I love expressing myself with words. Worst part is the loneliness or when I have a problem and no one can understand my worries.

What do you have on the burner for the next year?
 I’ve already talked briefly about my current work set; in Malaya in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It involves a family headed by a horrible bully who believes in women being 2^nd class citizens. He has 2 daughters and when his wife becomes pregnant again she is terrified that she will have another girl – this leads to disastrous circumstances. The conflict between Malaya and Indonesia runs alongside this family drama. I dream of having an agent or being represented by a major publishing house – don’t we all?!

How can readers reach you?
My website: http://www.faithmortimerauthor.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/faith.mortimer
Twitter:@Faith Mortimer  or http://twitter.com/FaithMortimer
Email: faith@altarial.com

Thank you, Faith, for coming out and sharing a little look into your life and your novels.