By Belinda Goldsmith

NEW YORK, Jan 9 (Reuters Life!) - Author Barbara Taylor Bradford, renown as "The Grande Dame of Modern Women's Literature," puts her success down to hard work and stamina -- and not being the sort of woman who lunches or shops.

Taylor, 73, who was born in Leeds, England, but has lived in New York with her film producer husband Robert Bradford for over 40 years, began her career working in a typing pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper before going into journalism.

Her first novel, "A Woman of Substance," published in 1979, became an enduring bestseller and was followed by 21 others, with more than 76 million copies selling in 90 countries in 40 languages, some made into television movies and miniseries.

Taylor, a top selling woman's author of the past 25 years, has just released her 22nd book, "The Ravenscar Dynasty," which is the first in a new trilogy based on England's War of the Roses but in a 20th century setting with a fight over control of a company rather than the nation.

Taylor spoke to Reuters as she was about to begin a U.S. tour to promote her latest book:

Q: Why did you chose to write about the War of the Roses?

A: "I had the idea to write a book about the War of the Roses about 25 years ago. After I wrote "A Woman of Substance" my publisher asked me to come up with another outline and I had always been interested in history so I thought of a historical novel. But I just didn't think I could do this in a year or so and my editor didn't want a historical novel so I put all the research away and just kept writing novels one after another."

Q: When did you decide to revisit this project?

A: "About five years ago I came across the research. I knew it needed to be a continuing family saga and it was three books not one. That is when all the analysing started and I thought what if it was about a man taking over a business."

Q: So is it based on The War of the Roses?

A: "Really I've pinched the story about the life of Edward IV (who won the struggle against the Lancastrian to establish the House of York on the English throne) and made him a modern man in a modern story. I have put his friends and his family into the modern setting too. They are all people of means and live in society."

Q: Do you read any of the "chick lit" genre that has emerged in recent years?

A: "No. I can't be bothered. I just don't have time. I have my history hobby. I really like reading about crime. I like P.D. James and Ruth Rendell. I have no desire to read chick lit although I am not knocking it. I'm currently reading "The Afghan" by Freddie Forsyth. I have very Catholic tastes."

Q: To what do you attribute your success?

A: "Determination and stamina and the desire to do it. You have to really want to write to do a book. It is tough to sit at a desk. You have to have a story to tell. But really that is the fun part. The hard part is to go out to promote the book. But the love of the job keeps me going. Also I am not the sort of person who goes out to lunch and shops."

Q: Do you have to be disciplined to write?

A: "You do. When I am writing a book I get up very early -- about 5 a.m.. I do not use a computer to write. I use a modern typewriter. It is the easiest way for me. I am better on a typewriter although I do use a computer for research. I might finish work about 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. and then I have a sleep, I have to, for an hour or two, before my husband comes home from the office."

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