Author Steffanie Edward is back with another novel that’s sure to be a gift to readers.
Tell me about your latest book.
My latest book, My Mother’s Gift, is about Erica, who has to decide whether she should give up her career and a life she loves, in England, to go to St Lucia to take care of her mother who has Alzheimer’s.
Why did you decide to write it?
I have been taking care of my own mother, who has Alzheimer’s, for over eight years and wanted to explore what challenges someone like Erica, with painful, unresolved issues relating to her mother might face if placed in a similar situation. How would she cope? What might influence her decisions?
What do you want readers to learn from the story?
I hope this story will give readers an insight into what it’s like living with and caring for a loved one suffering from dementia; raise questions around mental ill health, aging and the vulnerability and powerlessness old age can bring.
What do you want readers to learn from your life?
My writing success has come late in my life, but my determination, constant reminder to self to stay positive, continuously trying to learn, not being afraid to seek advice and support when I need it, has helped me tremendously along the way. You may think the door is closed, but you can open it, bit by bit.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
I love writing and would have liked to have started my writing career way back in my 20s or 30s, but if I was to choose an alternative profession it would probably be interior design or garden landscaping because I love designing spaces, working with colors and gardening.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I have loved reading since around age seven, when my mother bought me a huge book of fairy stories, which had no characters I could truly identify with in them. However, I was fascinated with being drawn into another world and how words created them. I fell in love with reading even more, whilst studying for my CSE’s at secondary school. At 14, I started keeping a diary and have loved writing ever since.
What’s something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I am a breast cancer SURVIVOR with all the scars that go with it.
What books have you read lately and loved?
Love after Love by Ingrid Persaud
What books are you excited to read?
The Freedom Artist by Ben Okri
Spirited by Julie Cohen
What’s next for you?
I will be revisiting a novel I wrote before my last two published novels. I do not currently have an agent and am considering changing that, so if there are any agents out there who fancies signing me up, please get in touch!
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I hope readers get a lot out of My Mother’s Gift and that it sparks off lots of conversations amongst readers on the issues raised in it.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of My Mother’s Gift.
To learn more about Steffanie Edward, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Website: https://www.saedward.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/EdwardsaEdward
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Steffanie-Edward-Author-101943815246620
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwardsteffanie/