“Friend” author Marian Myers has a matrimonial story in this week’s issue!
Tell us about your story, “Wedding Blues”.
“Wedding Blues” is the story of the run up to what the bride-to-be and her fiancé hope will be a simple wedding. All the plans have been made, but then the family checks the weather forecast for the day…
Is it based on a true experience?
Yes and no — I certainly had a bit of wedding weather inspiration! Exactly a year before our elder daughter’s July wedding a few years ago, we visited the reception venue in absolutely torrential rain, so that was always on our minds. However, as our daughter’s wedding day approached, we had the opposite problem. The weather grew so hot, we started worrying about the guests in the heat and ended up buying bottles of water to hand out to them after the church service and sunscreen for the reception venue
Then, our younger daughter had a February wedding. We all assumed the weather would be chilly, and maybe even wet or icy, so the couple chose the venue accordingly, the photographer planned to take the photos inside and we bought shawls for the bridesmaids. It turned out to be one of the nicest February days anyone had known — all the photographs were taken in the venue’s beautiful grounds and the bridesmaids bravely left off their shawls!
How long have you been writing fiction?
I started writing seriously eight years ago — before that it was always just for me. However, even when I started writing with a view to submitting a story, I still couldn’t summon up the courage to actually send one off until five years ago.
What is your favourite genre to write?
I have to say a little bit of romance seems to creep into many of my stories! However, I also like to write about everyday life — I live in a large village and there’s a lot of inspiration to be had from that.
What books have you enjoyed this year?
I’ve enjoyed a mix of genres so far this year, especially a couple of books from the “Chronicles of St Mary’s” series by Jodi Taylor, “Meet Me At Rainbow Corner” by Celia Imrie and “She Wants You Gone” by Joanna Dodd. I’ve also just finished “A Matter of Persuasion” by Theresa Howes. It’s a retelling of “Persuasion” by Jane Austen, which is my favourite book of all time, so I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy a retelling, but I loved it.
How often do you write?
I do write something every day, partly because I love to lose myself in a story, but when life gets very busy, I may not have time to write much. The trouble is that those are often the times when an idea for a story can come to me, so then I make notes and hope I can read my own writing – it’s not the best!
What advice would you give to someone trying to have writing success with the “Friend”?
As well as reading the fiction in the magazine, do read all the features as well, to learn who the readers are and what they’re interested in. After all, if they’re interested in a feature, they might enjoy a story with a similar situation in the background.
Then, when you’ve written your story, read it before or after reading stories from a current issue of the “Friend”, to see if it has the right feel.
Tracey Steel Having worked on a number of magazines over the years, I have found my perfect place on the “Friend” as I’m obsessed with reading and never go anywhere without a book! I read all of our stories with a mug of tea close by and usually a bit of strong cheese too!
