Ask Mari Emlyn

Actress, scriptwriter and author, Mari Emlyn lives in Y Felinheli with her family.  Mari has written several books and also works as a Learn Welsh tutor with Learn Welsh North West.

This interview has been published as part of Amdani – the Learn Welsh Festival of Reading.  More information about the festival is available here.

Favourite book as a child?

Un Noson Dywyll by T. Llew Jones.

Favourite book as an adult?

One of my favourite books is The Death of David Debrizzi by Paul Micou.  I often revisit this book and think how wonderful it would be to be able to write like Paul Micou.  I never tire of this novel.

What book has influenced you the most?

Sali Mali as that’s how I learnt to read!

Where do you write?

Anywhere, sometimes on the train, on holiday, in a cafe, but usually in my study.

What inspires you to write?

Subjects that are close to my heart: subjects like writing – most of my work is about books or about people trying to create (Mefus yn Y Glaw / Wal / Llyfr y Flwyddyn); the environment (Wal); women (Wal / Llyfr y Flwyddyn).

What book would you buy as a gift?

It depends who it’s for, but I usually buy everyone books as gifts.  I’ve just bought 10 stori Hanes Cymru y Dylai Pawb eu Gwybod (10 Stories from Welsh History – That Everyone Should Know) for my newborn niece!

Any advice to someone who wants to start writing?

Read, read, read.

Why become a Learn Welsh tutor?

We need Welsh learners.  I enjoy teaching people to learn Welsh and I’m learning a lot about the language in the process.

Would you like to write books for learners one day?

I think my novel, Wal, would suit learners as the language is repetitive – even though it’s not specifically written for learners.  I would be happy to give writing a book for learners a go one day.