M G da Mota, the name I use for fiction, is a variation of my real name: Margarida Mota-Bull. This nom de plume is a kind of modest tribute to my parents, as in Portugal (my native country) children are given both their parents’ surnames. So the G stands for my mother’s surname and da Mota is my father’s.

I think my novels are not only entertaining when one needs to relax and escape from one’s daily worries, but are also informative: If you like to learn about history, opera, ballet and classical music, past and present, in an enjoyable, original way; then my work is definitely for you.

I am a dual national, meaning I have British and Portuguese nationalities. I gained a Masters Degree in Modern Languages and Literature in my native country of Portugal and I’m fluent in three languages, with a fourth language to a less degree of proficiency. After graduation, I went to Germany and lived there for a while. I worked as a lecturer, a translator, a TV presenter and a teacher. Eventually, I moved to the United Kingdom and it is here that I currently live and work. Reading is my favourite occupation, immediately followed by writing. I love to write, especially fiction. Creating a novel gives me a very special kind of satisfaction. But I am a prolific writer and so, I also create short stories and poetry. I also like writing reviews related to classical music, ballet and opera or books.

Under my real name, Margarida Mota-Bull, I write reviews of live concerts, CDs, DVDs and books, as well as conducting interviews with classical artists, for 2 distinguished classical music magazines on the web www.musicweb-international.com and www.seenandheard-international.com . I am very proud of this work, in particular, the interviews with musicologist Richard Wigmore, the then Glyndebourne Opera general director David Pickard and  opera singers Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja and Jonas Kaufmann.