Designs51 caught up with Maggie and asked a few probing questions.

What is your book about?

It's a story about a young woman, Annie, who desperately wants what many of us take for granted, an ordinary life. Through her own efforts, she escapes her miserable childhood, becomes a teacher and marries David. All she wants now, to make her happiness complete, is a child.

The problem is, the child they adopt is no ordinary child. Annie thinks she's fey and David says she's a witch.

Actually, she's a little girl with problems that won't go away and this is the not-uncommon story of the struggle to raise a very damaged child that threatens to end in madness and despair. It will be a miracle if Annie survives.

What are the themes in your book?

I set out to tell a story and the themes that emerged were as a result of that. You could probably read whatever you wanted into it.

I suppose the overriding theme is that of the power of motherhood, which makes mothers pit themselves against the most impossible odds and then feel guilty when they inevitably fail. I think the idea of being a 'good enough' mother is an important one to hang on to.

The theme of individual identity, and maintaining of identity in the face of rapid social change, is something that I think emerges from the behaviours of the different characters. But, then, maybe I'm being precious.

Why do you feel this particular story needed to be written?

I wanted to tell this story to draw attention to Reactive Attachment Disorder. This is something that social workers and healthcare professionals in this country were generally unaware of at the time the story is set. There were some experts in the field but to gain access to them you had to get through a barrage of disbelieving GPs and social workers who knew very little, if anything about it.

I've met a lot of children with behavioural problems during my time in Education and, believe me, nobody knows how exhausting their needs can be. Special Needs teachers and Special Needs Assistants are heroes as far as I'm concerned. But, what about their parents? Who knows what they go through?

Who or what inspired you to write?

I've always wanted to write. 'Composition' was my favourite lesson at Junior school. I got my Writers Badge at Girl Guides when I was thirteen. I wrote poems when I was at college. I bought a typewriter for £17 out of my first month's teachers' salary. I've been making up stories all my life.

Who are your favourite authors, and why?

Alan Bennett is my favourite contemporary author. He gets it so right, particularly when writing for the late Thora Hurd. What could be more brilliant?

Of authors from the past, I love Jane Austin because she is so understated and wickedly witty. Her astute observations of human behaviour shine through to the present day. What could be a better recommendation than that?

Having said that, there are lots of authors I enjoy, mainly women. But I'm not a feminist, honest.

What genre do you prefer reading, and why?

I'm not fussy. I like a gripping yarn. Something true to life.

I don't particularly like science fiction after H G Wells.

What kind of reader do you think would enjoy reading your book?

I think it will appeal mainly to women readers; women who've had experience of family life and know how hard it is to meet everybody else's needs, never mind their own! Having said that, I have some male readers in my 'fan club'!

How long did it take to write?

About three years. But that's part time. I'm not a nine-til-five writer. I have other things to do as well but I like to do something towards it every day just to keep it alive in my head, if nothing else. It becomes and alternative universe you can inhabit whenever you feel like dropping out of the usual one. Very therapeutic.

It's an amazing achievement, producing a first novel. Tell us how you felt when you saw your book in print for the first time.

I thought, 'That looks like a good book, I wonder who wrote it.' It's difficult to believe it's mine. It feels like something that belongs to the publisher.

Have you found any creative writing classes, courses or books helpful?

I found WEA writing classes accessible and helpful, particularly one taught by novelist, Linda Green. They are open to anybody, regardless of educational background. You meet interesting people from all walks of life. I found my web-designer at a WEA writing class.

I found several books helpful. My best three are:

'How to Write a Damn Good Novel' by James N Frey, published by St Martin's Press, New York.

'Solutions for Writers' by Sol Stein, published by Souvenir Press.

'The Writer's Journey' by Christopher Vogler, published by Pan Books.

Have you any advice to budding novelists?

Read a lot and keep writing. You have to write your way into a book. I wrote chapter one four times then realised I had to get on with it. You can always come back and revise it when you get a bit further on.

You also have to give it time to mature. It will keep growing as you go along. The main thing to realise is that nothing's set in stone. You can change it if that's what it needs. Eventually, It takes on a life of it's own, then you're well away.

Biography:

Maggie Handsley was born and brought up in Huddersfield. She trained as a teacher and worked for many years in the West Yorkshire area, eventually becoming an educational adviser and inspector.

After leaving education in 2002, she gained an MA in Creative Writing and took up belly dancing. She lives in Halifax with her husband Rob.