Orna Ross writes novels, poems and the Go Creative! books and has been described as "one of the 100 most influential people in publishing" (The Bookseller) for her work with The Alliance of Independent Authors, an association of the world's best self-publishing authors and advisors. Born and raised in Wexford in the south-east of Ireland, she now lives in London. Her website is www.ornaross.com -- where you can sign up for her "Go Creative!" newsletter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~Get an email when Orna launches a new book: http://www.ornaross.com/connect/new-book-out/~~~~~~~~~~~~ORNA SAYS: "My NOVELS usually take the form of family-based dramas. Often they are historical fiction and usually there's a murder mystery or other buried secret from the past causing chaos in the present. I enjoy writing emotional twists and surprises around big themes -- identity, family loyalty, truth, the struggle between freedom and belonging, men and women, murder and procreation. My POEMS are simple and accessible and tend towards the inspirational. I think everyone should read a poem a day (keep a poetry book in the bathroom!).My NONFICTION is about applying the creative process to things in life that are not usually considered creative -- money, relationships, work. The same process that makes a novel makes everything. We've all been educated to neglect our creative capacities -- a big mistake, as the Creative Age overtakes the Information Age. Thankfully, creative skill is like any other muscle, you strengthen it by flexing it. Use it or lose it. The 'Go Creative!' books show the way.~~~~~~~~~~~INSPIRATIONS:#1: HISTORY: I agree with Mr Hartley that the past is, indeed, another country and it's my favourite place to travel. I'm especially drawn to writing about bohemian times and places where shackles are thrown off and creativity flourishes -- fin de siecle Paris (1890s); literary revival and revolutionary Ireland (1910/20s); hippy (1960s) and gay lib (1980s) California. #2: GENDER: We are all seeded by man and born of woman and we all embody 'male' and 'female' characteristics and dimensions. How these play out, in an individual life, and in different societies, is endlessly fascinating to me. #3: IRELAND: Ireland is a strong influence. Because so many millions have emigrated from there, its stories reach far beyond its shores. There is always a particular flavour to Irish writing that readers tell me they experience in my books too.#4: THE SEA: Everything I really needed to know, I could have learned by watching the waves.#5: THE SPACE BETWEEN THE WORDS. About which the less said, the better.~~~~~~~~~~~~Get an email when Orna launches a new book: http://www.ornaross.com/connect/new-book-out/~~~~~~~~~~~~