Mary Smith is a Scottish author who was born in Bowmore, on the island of Islay and now lives in Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway in south west Scotland. In between, she spent ten years working for leprosy and tuberculosis projects in Pakistan and Afghanistan
She writes both non-fiction and fiction, Her experiences in Afghanistan inspired her to write two books, Before the Taliban, and No More Mulberries. She is currently working on a non-fiction book about a woman engineer in the first part of the 20th century.
How much research and plotting do you do before you're ready to write a book?
I don't do a great deal of plotting, starting the novel with a rough outline of what is going to happen. The characters often have other ideas, though, so No More Mulberries ended differently from how I thought it would. I do a lot of research before and during the writing. If a question arises I have to find the answer before I carry on, which can be frustrating as it breaks the flow of writing. Some writers just make a note of what they need to find out and carry on but I can't do that as it niggles at me until I have the information.
What hours do you devote to your writing and what time of day do you prefer to write?
I try to write every day but as I am also a staff writer on a magazine called Dumfries & Galloway Life it isn't always possible. I find I write better in the evenings and if things are going well it can be well into the wee small hours before I stop.
Do you take breaks, and if so, what do you do during them?
When I take a break I'm ashamed to admit I play a few games of spider solitaire. On the other hand while I'm doing that my subconscious is often working on the next scene or trying to figure out what's wrong with the one I've just written.
Where do you write?
I write at my desk in my study, which is crammed with books and has only one easy chair because I'm quite jealous of 'my' space and tend not to encourage visitors.
What do you write with?
I write straight onto the computer although I always have a notebook and pen beside me and will often write out a scene in longhand before typing it up, especially if it is not appearing on the screen as I want it. I also always have notebook and pen with me wherever I am.
...and why is that your preference?
I'm not sure why I prefer to type straight onto the computer. At one time I write almost everything out in longhand first. Maybe my handwriting has deteriorated.
Describe what you like to keep within arm's reach while you're writing.
Coffee. I need to have a mug of black coffee within reach. Also, since I stopped smoking I keep a packet of mints beside me. On my desk I have two odd little figures I brought from Afghanistan which bring me luck and three polished stones the cat likes to scoot across the desk when he thinks I'm not paying him enough attention.
Describe the things you can see when you look up from your writing.
My room is on the second floor and overlooks the main street so I see the rooftops of the shops opposite and beyond them treetops and hills. If I lean over and look down I can see people on the street. If I'm working at night it's reflected street lights and the occasional drunk.
What was the first thing you wrote which was published?
A humorous article on learning to ride a horse in Afghanistan for Horse & Rider. As a teenager I was desperate to have riding lessons but we couldn't afford it so I devoured horsey books by the hundred. My chance came years later in Afghanistan. The horse knew she had a complete novice on her back and played me up terribly.
What is your latest book?
My latest book is the novel No More Mulberries which is set in Afghanistan. It tells the story of a British woman married to an Afghan doctor. Their marriage is under strain and both have secrets and issues from their pasts which have to be resolved. It is about loss, cultural barriers and love.
Find out more about Mary and her writing from her website.
Janice Hally - Janice Hally has written more than 300 broadcast hours of prime-time TV drama in the UK, as well as fiction and non-fiction books.
