Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Hi, my name is Mandy Eve-Barnett and I am an expat from England living in Alberta, Canada. I came to the art of writing later in life and since then have embraced it with passion, some would say fanatically but hey. I write fiction as a way to get a multitude of stories out of my head, as well as write non-fiction in a variety of ways as a freelance writer. I love the natural world and spend as much time as I can in embracing the gloriousness of our world, whether walking in a local park, road tripping, or vacations throughout England or Canada and beyond. To date I have eleven books published and one more launching this September. I am a fierce writing community advocate and love helping new writers find their niche and style.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Willow Tree Tears”?
A2. As a new comer to the world of rodeos, ranches and especially barrel racing, I wanted to ensure I reflected the life correctly. I was lucky to connect with a champion barrel racer, who was kind enough to give me specific details on all the aspects of the story in relation to how Madison lived and reviewed the passages regarding the quarter horse, ranch and rodeo life and circuit. Without her help the narrative would not have been as authentic. Researching any story leads to gaining an abundance of knowledge and this story gave me a deeper understanding of how many Albertans live.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. This is a tricky question as I write in multi genres and age groups, so my reading is as eclectic. My number one is Stephen King, he is the ultimate storyteller, but I also love Kate Morton, M.J. Arlidge and Felix de Palma to name a few. Apart from the famous, I also enjoy books written by authors I have come to know personally within my extended writing community. It is the diversity of style and imagination that is so captivating. In addition I am extremely lucky to have a wonderful local writing group who give constructive critique, support and encouragement. Without the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, I don’t think I would have written so much, or indeed been published.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. Well, there’s a question as I have ‘two’ homelands the list would be exceptionally long. I love the ancient sites and historical estates of England and visited many while I lived there. A couple stand out (well as I write, it may change) York Minster Cathedral, stayed in an old coach house above the entry arch in a huge four poster bed with a feather mattress. The room overlooked the cathedral which was lit up at night. And the Royal Albert Hall in London, where I experienced a superb evening concert of Beethoven. The domed building is striking and magnificent. As for Alberta, I have enjoyed numerous road trips from west to east, north to south and have discovered wonderful places, such as Spirit Island, the town of Jasper and Pyramid Lake in the Jasper National Park. Also the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, which has an incredible museum of Blackfoot culture and Elk Island Park, where bison roam free. For me anywhere there is water: a lake, a river, or a waterfall, I am happy, as Alberta is landlocked I miss the ocean a lot.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Willow Tree Tears’?
A5. On one of my road trips we came across an enormous ranch, the Bar U Ranch, which is the largest in the province. As we drove alongside the miles of land I spied a couple of cowboys. Now, as an English person the only cowboys I had seen up to that point were on the TV. So I was thrilled to be able to see ‘real’ cowboys looking after the cattle. In addition, when I experienced my first rodeo it added another layer to my story idea and the characters germinated from there. I wanted a character to struggle between her traditional ranch life and a nonconformist exotic one. I suppose it echoes the huge differences I experienced coming to live in Canada from England. The countries are so different.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Willow Tree Tears’?
A6. I actually began writing it as a National Novel Writing Month project back on 2013. Yes, that long ago. I wrote the qualifying 50K words for the challenge, but then I made multiple revisions for a few months until new ‘shiny’ stories caught and demanded my attention. I would return to it periodically during the subsequent years and refine the story, the characters and the plot. That is until I thought it really needed to be out in the world. So in 2025 it was published. I think it is better for the extension, as my craft improved year upon year.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. They are all available as print or e-books across all the online purchase sites, including Kindle, Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, and more.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Willow Tree Tears’?
A8. The cover was actually an idea of mine to have willow trees present and the horse ranch in the background, with the three main characters positioned, however the publisher refined it somewhat and then commissioned the image as you see it today. The title was due to my wanting the weeping willow to reflect Madison’s previous heartache and her indecision and emotional struggle when faced with a choice, but also as a hint at the name of her family ranch.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself.
A9. I enjoy creating unexpected twists in my stories, so the reader cannot guess the outcome, or the journey toward it. Although, I write in many genres I do not want my narratives to be too generic to that specific genre, so modify them. My characters are always steering me in directions that are not only surprising but fun. When I begin writing I write to the story rather than the genre, or age group, that becomes evident as the narrative develops.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. To write authentically, and ensure the story is yours alone. Each story is unique to you even if it is in a popular genre. Your life experiences and imagination make it special. You write like no one else.
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