Q&A with Abby Davies author of ‘Mother Loves Me’

The creepiest debut thriller you will read this year!

One little girl.
Mirabelle’s mother loves her. She’s her ‘little doll’. Mother dresses her, paints her face, and plaits her hair. But as Mirabelle grows, the dresses no longer fit quite as well, the face paint no longer looks quite so pretty. And Mother isn’t happy.
 
Two little girls.
On Mirabelle’s 13th birthday, Mother arrives home with a present – a new sister, 5-year-old Clarabelle, who Mother has rescued from the outside world.
 
But Mother only needs one.
As it dawns on Mirabelle that there is a new ‘little doll’ in her house, she also realises that her life isn’t what she thought it was. And that dolls often end up on the scrap heap…

1. We all have to admit that people who write psychological thrillers come up with some gruesome aspects in their work. Where do you get your inspiration from? 

Stephen King’s ‘Carrie’ inspired me to create Mother. When I read ‘Carrie’ I was horrified, but utterly gripped by the complex character of Margaret White. This compelled me to create a sinister, controlling, unstable person for Mirabelle to contend with, someone frightening who is a product of a traumatic childhood. Indeed, I’ve always found psychology fascinating and the issue of nature/nurture intrigues me a great deal. 

2. I was just wondering if you had read ‘Flowers In The Attic’ by Virginia Andrews as the synopsis of ‘Mother Loves Me’ instantly made me think of it?

Never – but I tried to watch the film a few years ago. Ironically, I found it too disturbing and never finished it!

3. What was your day job before your writing took off and how do you think it has affected the books you create? 

I was an English teacher for 13 years. I’d say that the texts I’ve taught have definitely affected my writing. For example, around the time I was writing the first draft of ‘Mother Loves Me’, I was teaching ‘The Secret Garden’, which Mirabelle reads in the book. I’ve also taught ‘Macbeth’ and I think there’s a Lady Macbeth-esque streak in Mother. 

4. How much research did you have to do to capture the essence of your book? Did you look at any real life cases? 

 I didn’t look at any real-life cases, but sought advice from two psychologists, whose expertise was invaluable in helping me portray Mirabelle’s and Mother’s characters and behaviour as realistically as possible. 

5. Whose is your favourite author at present? 

‘We Begin at the End’ by Chris Whitaker absolutely blew me away! So funny yet moving. He’s such a clever writer. I’m looking forward to reading his first two books ‘The Wicked Girls’ and ‘Tall Oaks’. 

6. What is your favourite book of all time? 

Such a tough question! If I absolutely had to choose, I’d base my decision on the story I could read time and time again, so I think it has to be ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’.I’ve read it five times.

7. Is there a genre of books you just can’t stand?

Not really! I like a bit of everything, but gravitate to thrillers these days. 

8. If you were only allowed to read one book for the rest of your life what would it be? 

Second to Harry Potter, I’d probably say ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett. Such an emotive, immersive story with unforgettable characters. Simply brilliant.

9. How does the ‘location’ i.e the attic in your novel play its part when you are writing a book?

I was never allowed in the attic as a child as it was ‘dangerous’, so when I think of attics, I always think of creepy, forbidden places where dark things can happen. Shadowy, gothic spaces like attics and the woods seem to fire up my imagination and get my writing mojo going!

10. Describe your day when you are writing?

 I aim to start by 8.30am, drink coffee and write for a couple of hours then drink more coffee, read, have lunch, coffee, write again after lunch. Read some more. Coffee. Being a bookworm and obsessed with writing, it’s a dream come true.

11. Can you give us any clues about the book you are working on?! 

If you thought Mother was creepy, wait until you meet cult member, Love. 

12. How important do you think the blogging community and social media in the book industry? 

Crucial, especially during this socially distanced time. Bloggers and readers who communicate their reading experiences via social media platforms help to enhance a book’s visibility, enticing a wider audience to read the story. When people share their passion for a book, it inspires others to pick it up and really helps to spread the word about anauthor’s work. I’m a huge fan of bloggers!

And finally a bonus question! 

Okay what would rather have as a method to kill off a character - a hundred penguins descending on a person or one solitary shaving nick which led to an infection and death? Why did you choose what you did? 

This question made me chuckle - I’d go for the penguins because it’s horribly hilarious, visual and really silly!