Stories have always been a part of how I make sense of the world. But what truly inspired me was a single question that came to me one quiet evening: “What if someone from centuries ago woke up in our time?” That thought became a spark, and that spark became a novel. Writing helps me explore both the past and the future — sometimes at the same time.

The latest book I’m working on is part of a science fiction series called "Yedi Mum" (The Seven Candles). It's set a millennium and a half after our time. The story follows two characters, Hayat and Iskender, who fall into a black hole and find themselves on an unfamiliar Earth. It’s a story about survival, memory, and what it means to be human — when everything familiar has faded.

I started writing as a kid. Short stories after reading classics from Mark Twain, Sir Walter Scott, Dickens, plus many others.

I have just had 2 books published in India by Pharos Books, New Delhi. 1) a Üsycho Thriller called Mary's Little Lambs. it was Nr1 in the Amazon.com.in thriller list for a short period- A serial killer with a difference, a sexually abused girl who seeks revenge in an ice-cold-brutal-cold-blooded manner without any from of remorse. 2) My Autobiography called: The Life of a Manchester United Fan. A parallel bio from 1957 to the present with my life's experiences and my passion, following Manchester United FC

My dear sweet mother was a wonderful thought provoking writer. She encouraged me to express myself daily. In fact, I believe these traits are passed down through genetics.

Iss, an eight-year-old boy, has some lessons for us all. Things he has learned in a very short time through experiences. These lessons include finding your purpose, the Golden Rule, being honest, smiling, having hope and faith, forgiveness leads to happiness, telling people you love them, keeping a positive outlook, people you love are always in your heart, and salvation. Let’s find out what Iss has learned, and maybe we can learn too and become better people. The world needs better people, don’t you agree?

The idea came out of frustration. I kept meeting young people who were bright, ambitious, and creative, but completely unprepared for the realities of life outside the classroom. They were struggling with basic skills, including money management, communication, resilience, and even understanding how to fail without collapsing. I realized this wasn’t their fault. The education system prioritizes test scores over survival skills. That gap stuck with me, and Life Unscripted was born as my way of filling part of it.

Honestly, all three. Teenagers will find it immediately useful because it serves as a kind of field manual for the next stage of their lives. Parents read it to understand what their kids are actually facing, instead of what they assume. And adults who feel they missed out on these lessons can use it as a reset. It’s a book that speaks to the transition moments, whether you’re 17 or 37.

At the age of eight, the world is a kaleidoscope of colour, possibility, and stories waiting to be told. What, then, could inspire a child to pick up a pen and begin weaving worlds from words? The answer lies in the gentle collision of curiosity, wonder, and the magic of discovery. I grew up in the UK in the sixties, where television became the norm for every household, and Doctor Who and James Bond became icons and England won the World Cup. For many young writers, inspiration comes like a sudden ray of sunlight through the clouds—bright, unexpected, and impossible to ignore. Perhaps it was the first time you opened a storybook and felt the pages come alive in your hands, the characters whispering secrets only you could hear. Or maybe it was a bedtime tale spun by a loved one, each word kindling a longing to tell stories of your own. At eight, the imagination runs wild and free. Dragons might slumber beneath your bed, and secret doorways could open in the most ordinary places. The desire to capture these hidden worlds, to shape them and share them, becomes a powerful call. Writing, then, is both a vessel and an adventure—one where you are the explorer and the mapmaker. Sometimes, inspiration is found in the small, shimmering moments of everyday life: the laughter of friends on a playground, the quiet of a rainy afternoon, or the first snowfall of the year. These moments beg to be remembered, and writing offers a way to keep them forever. The spark might also come from those around you—a teacher who praised your way with words, a parent who filled your shelves with books, or a sibling who listened, wide-eyed, to your tales. Their encouragement becomes the wind beneath your wings, helping you soar above self-doubt. Above all, writing at eight can be about finding your place in the universe. Each story is a declaration: I am here, I have something to say, and my voice matters. In the act of creation, you discover not only the stories you wish to tell, but the storyteller within. In the end, what inspired you to start writing at the age of eight was a blend of magic and meaning, of fleeting moments and timeless dreams. With every word, you built a bridge between your heart and the world—a bridge you would cross again and again, for years to come.

A former military intelligence officer in a quiet English village is drawn back into a covert investigation following the mysterious crash of a German zeppelin at Orford Ness, uncovering secrets of espionage, a hidden murder, and community tensions entwined with the war's shadow.

Fran Porretto: Rather than do a “straight” interview, which tends to bring out my discursive nature, I thought I might change things up a little. So I rounded up some of my favorite characters and brought them here so you can talk to them. Enjoy! I always do.

Sylvie Yngstrom Eisenbud: Well, it was no bed of roses, let me tell you! The man has a mind like a pretzel. Whatever you think he has in mind for you, his next move will come out of left field. You simply can’t anticipate him. I got a terrible case of neck strain from trying.

My doctor said I would be lucky to live another 3 months, all due to 50 years of Cocaine and meth addiction

It's the story of my life, and what sent me down the road of self-destruction.

At sixteen, I found inspiration to write. My younger brother and I shared handwritten horror and ghost stories, and inspired me to write for the public started in January 2015. My writing career began at that point.

My 150 titles include 116 published books. The Thief’s Winter Tale, my new book about vampires and werewolves, came out yesterday. In A Thief’s Winter Tale, Mercy Rocco Baxter becomes a member of a rich, powerful family. His life has become more fulfilling when Maximus Baxter allows him to occupy his castle as a thief posing as an artist. Rocco’s life becomes a mix of family conflict, with love, lust, betrayal, and war. He has become the sole inheritor of a life-changing power. However, as a Baxter, he will soon experience more love, lust, betrayal, and deceit, after he falls for a woman named Mercy, the Baxter family’s enemy. Entranced by her beauty and power, his chaos intensifies, evolving him from a thief to a creator of art and war, battling his own soul.

I've always written short stories as a kid, and even attempted a novel at age 12...that didn't get far, but as an adult I knew I had many stories to tell, so I started in my early 20s. Now I write biographical novels about sassy ladies.

From the streets of Providence to the grandeur of a New York City mansion, Betsy Bowen - later known as Madame Eliza Jumel Burr, who believed George Washington was her father - lived a life marked with secret longing and bold ambition. Although her business partnership with the French merchant Stephen Jumel was a cordial one, affording her power in real estate, her heart belonged to Vice President Aaron Burr. Their complex and passionate relationship spanned decades. When the widower Aaron turned down her marriage proposal, she faked her own death to get Stephen to marry her. She then purchased the historic Mount Morris in Washington Heights and renamed it the Morris-Jumel Mansion. Soon after Stephen's death, she and Aaron finally wed, but their marriage culminated in scandal and betrayal.

My children. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and earned a degree in Literary and Communication Studies to pursue a career as a radio journalist. But life got in the way; I met my husband and started a family. When my daughter was 9, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and my son was diagnosed at age 3. So, I had to switch into soldier mom mode to work with therapists to ensure my children would have a better quality of life. For the next 20 years, I prioritized my children’s health and home-schooled them to support their therapy programs. “The Crazy Mother’s Guide to Raising Exceptional Children. An Aussie Mum’s First-Hand Experience Parenting Children Who Have Autism Spectrum Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder.” Released in January, this unique large print book, the size of a textbook, is a survival guide for parenting, addressing complex issues like suicidal ideation, depression, bullying, and many others. This book is unique as it combines strategies to handle challenging situations with both disorders. Having a teen who is autistic and has multiple personalities is unique. To my knowledge, there are no other books like this that share personal examples of strange situations as a parent to a teen with alters, how to handle this, and issues caused by ASD. My friends on social media would know I had a bad day when I would say, “Well, it was a circus day.” Or, “It’s time for me to run away and join the circus.” A Morse code to close friends that I needed to download and share my bizarre day. Hence, the Circus theme was adopted to market the book. This survival guide is a mix of humorous, heartbreaking, and informative moments, written with my heart poured out onto the page. This book is truly unique and special. My daughter’s specialists suggested writing this guide as a form of therapy and a resource to support other parents going through similar experiences. Our children are now doing well, and my faith—so vital on this journey—provided me a large window of time to revisit the notes I’ve taken over the years and begin writing again. It’s been a year, and I now see myself as a non-profit author committed to creating work solely for children with disabilities. My books are priced to cover my costs, not to generate a profit. I focus not on rankings or monthly sales but on writing for people with disabilities who are often overlooked by the publishing industry. All my books are in large print, with at least 16-point font, smaller paragraphs, illustrations, and plenty of white space. Kids with ASD and ADHD find it easier to read and absorb information if the text is large print. I am on a journey of personal discovery, aiming to make a difference because I know firsthand what it’s like to have children with special needs. I understand what it’s like as a parent—feeling emotionally drained, crying alone in the bathroom after a tough day of bullying, or experiencing the sting of judgment from other parents in a supermarket over sensory issues. I have published three early reader books, specifically designed for children who have recently been diagnosed with a disability, encouraging them to see themselves as superheroes rather than children with disabilities. All my work focuses on children with disabilities and emphasizes the importance of promoting acceptance for families with children with special needs.

YA “Sincerely Yours… Written in the Stars and Inked in Destiny!” Book 1 of the Haven Cove series. (CLEAN FICTION-LARGE PRINT) This haunting story explores the theme of what is real. Considering we have AI, it was a perfect time to examine concepts of reality. As a writer, what happens when a manuscript is finished? Do the characters come to life? For some readers, they do, especially those eager for the next installment. But what if a writer dies before completing their work? Do the characters stay in limbo? I had a heartbreaking conversation a couple of years ago with one of my teen’s alters who asked me this question: Am I real? Why don’t I have my own body? I cried with her as I held her. Alters never age, and for a mom of alter children, it's a challenge as a writer to explore this theme in relation to the author creating unique worlds and storylines through their own writing. Are these fantasy worlds created in some way real? Set in Haven Cove in 1989, Josie Worthington is a rebellious, alternative 17-year-old dreaming of escape. She loves alternative English music and shopping at thrift stores. But when strange events start happening after she begins writing a local advice column, she discovers her words are doing more than just influencing minds—they’re shaping reality through an antique typewriter. As supernatural forces draw closer, Josie must choose between safety and the truth, with help from Blaine Cordwell, the enigmatic son of a rock star, to survive what’s ahead. "Sincerely Yours…Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny!" blends the vibe of Stranger Things and Pretty In Pink. Inspired by 80s alternative music, reflecting my goth days in college, I wanted the main characters to be outsiders. These teens struggle with identity, acceptance, and issues of faith, grief, and love. It becomes a love story written in the stars and carved on Josie’s heart. Combining supernatural mystery with nostalgic 80s energy, this empowering coming-of-age story, "Sincerely Yours," is ideal for fans of "Stranger Things," “Pretty In Pink,” “Paper Girls," and "To All the Boys I've Loved Before." “Sincerely Yours” is more than just a story—it’s an experience. It features a clever mix of 80s alternative and mainstream music. At the start, you’ll see Josie's Mix Tape, curated by Blaine. All the songs mentioned are included, so you can listen to the 80s music that shaped a generation. Plus, explore Josie and Blaine's world with original 1980s-inspired tracks I collaborated on with New Wave Multimedia, now on my YouTube channel. Step back into the 80s and immerse yourself in Josie and Blaine’s world. Think of it as a modern Nancy Drew, blending paranormal romance and mystery, with iconic 80s songs woven throughout the story. "Sincerely Yours…Written In The Stars And Inked In Destiny!” is the charming first book in a supernatural YA series that explores the magic of words, the music of the soul, and the power of embracing one's true self.