A SINGLE mum determined not to let a string of bad relationships keep her down despite battling depression has written a book to inspire young women.
Danielle Brand, 33, first put pen to paper as an emotional outlet following the death of her grandmother in 2010.
But spurred on by her mother, her surviving grandmother and her councillor who she turned to for help, it quickly became a full length novel.
The mother of two boys, aged seven and three, recounts her experiences with abusive and disloyal boyfriends in the autobiographical tale Players Vs the Unconventional Woman, a book which she says is funny and dramatic.
"I kept getting into bad relationships and was really vulnerable as a single mum. All that mattered was that he liked me even though I had a child," she said.
"I had my first bad relationship when I was 19 and it went downhill from there.When I was pregnant with my first son my partner slapped me across my face. Other boyfriends took money from me and I had my car stolen.
"One of my friends has left her boyfriend after reading the book. She saw similar things in her life and said she wanted better for herself and the book gave her the courage to do that."
Danielle lives in West Drayton but grew up in Acton, and works part time in Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre. She studied fashion at the prestigious Central St Martins art college and designs baby clothes in her free time for her website The Brand Clothing.
She added: "Everyone says I need to slow down but I'm so ambitious. They say when you become a mum you can't do anything, but when you've got a supporting family you can.
"I've been on my own for the last year and I'm so happy on my own and with my kids. It's allowed me to progress and I'm getting my confidence back.
"Being what I've been through, I know what I want for my children. I want my sons to have respect for women and to study hard and grow up with standards."
Danielle's book is available at Waterstones and Amazon.
