Tell us about your new book
My book is called FOUR’S A CROWD, and is the first of a trilogy of books about three very different characters. Jack is a seventeen year old homeless lad, timid, and living in a seedy world on the streets. He meets a very posh, but kind tramp, ‘Chairman’, who has absolutely no idea who he is, where he’s been, or how he got there. The two lonely people sense the need in each other and become friends. On their journey to find Chairman’s forgotten life, they rescue a spirited gypsy girl, ‘Sky’, from an attempted abduction, and then their adventure really begins. Chairman’s mysterious and complicated past involves them in murder, illusion and betrayal. They must flee from a narcissistic neuroscientist, intent on manipulating and controlling their mind. Jack discovers an unbelievable ability and Sky, an eidetic memory, and the rollercoaster adventure that becomes their life, threatens their very existence.

What genre is it?
Teen/Young adult.

Lovely cover.
It was designed by my niece, Yolanda Ribas.

What kind of readers will the book appeal to?
My own children are teenagers and young adults, and they enjoyed it, so I think, I hope, other people in their peer group would enjoy it the most. However, the other, more mature members in my family enjoyed it too (admittedly they are probably biased) but what the hell, I’m hoping everyone that reads it enjoys it.

How long did it take to write?
Probably about 6-8 months on and off.

What was the most challenging part of your creative process?
Without a doubt, editing, closely followed by marketing. Actually thinking of the fabric of a story, the meaty plot, events and conclusion, is the easiest part for me. I think most writers have more than one story brewing in their mind at any given time. Making sure each sentence is grammatically correct when you have written 60,000 words, is time consuming, when you are chomping at the bit to get your story out there.

Marketing too, is really difficult if you are a shy person. All of a sudden you have to sell yourself, and your work, while sounding confident, but not big-headed or arrogant. I’m not a confident, or outstandingly noticeable person, so this is difficult for me.

I’m also of a generation that is not as familiar with the computer as it should be, so that is another area in which I am trying to improve. Websites, Html = NIGHTMARE, for me!

We apologise if you’re not enjoying this interview, but we’ve got a few more questions. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
I have always wanted to be a writer but have never had the confidence to show anyone my work. I’m running out of time to achieve my dreams, so it’s now or never. I like to encourage young writers as much as possible, so they can accomplish their projects with so much more time to enjoy the results.

What else about me? I’ve worked with special needs children (whom I adore), I’m currently involved with the YMCA, and I have three teriffic children, who are my greatest accomplishment and the best source of inspiration.

Twitter: @mmhgrty.

What’s next?
Book Two of the FOUR’S A CROWD series is still being written, but I also have another novel ‘Human’. I’m hoping to release this in the next few weeks, as the kids are encouraging me to. This one is about a human child hiding among a vampire ruled world. It’s a bit different than your average vampire story, but that, in itself, is another story.

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Enjoyed this interview? Then check out our conversation with Delores Hawk