I've no doubt at all that the interviews will be of interest to both writers and readers...and that's what it's all about, really.
Watch this space, because the first of the interviews will be coming to you on Sunday...
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Upcoming Interviews
This really is the quiet before the storm, because I've managed to secure interviews with Pamela Crane, John Dean, Jennifer Sage, Claudia Moss and Kenya Cagle; writers from all over the world covering an expanse of genres and writing styles.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Balance
Balance is not something I'm very good at.
I don't mean that I keep falling over because I'm lopsided or anything, just I am a man of extremes.
How I envy people who contented with one sweet or one drink or one biscuit (you get the idea). They rarely get into trouble. I'm an all or nothing kind of guy, and often get into trouble.
Where am I heading with this....?
Okay, unless you are Stephen King or JK Rowling, you need not only to write your books but to promote them, too. It is a necessary part of getting your book read. In simple terms, there are 6,000,000 books on Amazon (or so I'm told). If you don't promote your book, it will just sit there; unread and lonely.
I've done pretty well with the marketing - I've appeared I the Glamorgan Gazette, the HASSRA West Midlands magazine and various web sites. But that's the easy part. You need to be visible on the social media sites, too.
I've mixed and mingled with many authors. Now, I do have a concern. I fear that some authors much prefer mixing and mingling and chatting on social media sites than actually writing. It can be so much cosier...so much easier, than actually struggling with plots and character traits and word counts.
At the moment - unlike with the biscuits and the sweets and all those other things - I think I'm doing pretty well with the balance.
But I have my eye on it, don't worry...
I don't mean that I keep falling over because I'm lopsided or anything, just I am a man of extremes.
How I envy people who contented with one sweet or one drink or one biscuit (you get the idea). They rarely get into trouble. I'm an all or nothing kind of guy, and often get into trouble.
Where am I heading with this....?
Okay, unless you are Stephen King or JK Rowling, you need not only to write your books but to promote them, too. It is a necessary part of getting your book read. In simple terms, there are 6,000,000 books on Amazon (or so I'm told). If you don't promote your book, it will just sit there; unread and lonely.
I've done pretty well with the marketing - I've appeared I the Glamorgan Gazette, the HASSRA West Midlands magazine and various web sites. But that's the easy part. You need to be visible on the social media sites, too.
I've mixed and mingled with many authors. Now, I do have a concern. I fear that some authors much prefer mixing and mingling and chatting on social media sites than actually writing. It can be so much cosier...so much easier, than actually struggling with plots and character traits and word counts.
At the moment - unlike with the biscuits and the sweets and all those other things - I think I'm doing pretty well with the balance.
But I have my eye on it, don't worry...
Author Interviews
Happy Tuesday evening to you.
There's been a great reaction to the Christoph Fischer interview. Christoph is not only a fantastic writer but a very popular guy.
Writing can be a very solitary pursuit. It is great to link with other people with similar goals and frustrations. You can learn so much.
The good news is that I have already been in contact with some other authors and I will be conducting regular interviews moving forward.
There's been a great reaction to the Christoph Fischer interview. Christoph is not only a fantastic writer but a very popular guy.
Writing can be a very solitary pursuit. It is great to link with other people with similar goals and frustrations. You can learn so much.
The good news is that I have already been in contact with some other authors and I will be conducting regular interviews moving forward.
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Diet Coke
Now, I promise you, this really isn't interesting to anybody but me. I know this because I've told people before and I've marvelled at their lack of effort to even try and look interested.
For years now I've had a bit of a Diet Coke addiction. I try to make this sound more exciting than it is by saying things like 'I'm fighting the coke,' 'I'm a coke addict,' etc etc.
Now what fascinates me is that I can buy a 2 litre bottle of coke (yes not the medium big one but the real big one) for £1. And yet a 500ml bottle (yes those pixie little things) costs £1.15.
See, I told you! It really isn't interesting to anybody but me!!!
For years now I've had a bit of a Diet Coke addiction. I try to make this sound more exciting than it is by saying things like 'I'm fighting the coke,' 'I'm a coke addict,' etc etc.
Now what fascinates me is that I can buy a 2 litre bottle of coke (yes not the medium big one but the real big one) for £1. And yet a 500ml bottle (yes those pixie little things) costs £1.15.
See, I told you! It really isn't interesting to anybody but me!!!
Selfies
Don't get the wrong idea; by 'selfie' I don't mean anything exciting, just mean the craze where people take pictures of themselves and post them on social sites.
I am not sure if that is the correct spelling, but spell checker sure isn't coming up with any alternatives (hardly surprising, yeah?)
I can't say I have strong opinions of 'selfies' either way; they just tickle my fancy.
Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, or is it the other way around?
Anyway, a lady (my mum doesn't like the word 'woman') will take a picture of herself, in my experience usually from a downwards angle, pouting her lips.
Other ladies will post comments along the lines of 'ooh, gorgeous,' 'looking stunning' and 'hey there, hot stuff.'
The lady in question will reply along the lines of 'awww, you really think so?'
A man will post a picture of himself casually trying to look sexy.
Other men will post comments along the lines of 'you look like a cock, mate.'
As I said, it just tickles my fancy.
I am not sure if that is the correct spelling, but spell checker sure isn't coming up with any alternatives (hardly surprising, yeah?)
I can't say I have strong opinions of 'selfies' either way; they just tickle my fancy.
Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, or is it the other way around?
Anyway, a lady (my mum doesn't like the word 'woman') will take a picture of herself, in my experience usually from a downwards angle, pouting her lips.
Other ladies will post comments along the lines of 'ooh, gorgeous,' 'looking stunning' and 'hey there, hot stuff.'
The lady in question will reply along the lines of 'awww, you really think so?'
A man will post a picture of himself casually trying to look sexy.
Other men will post comments along the lines of 'you look like a cock, mate.'
As I said, it just tickles my fancy.
Author Interview
I've had the privilege of conducting an interview with author Christoph Fischer. Christoph is a historic fiction author. His Three Nations Trilogy has received rave reviews and has made a real mark in the charts. His books will appeal to anybody and everybody who enjoys good writing, gripping plots and intrinsic attention to detail. Brought up in Germany, he now lives near Bristol with his welsh wife. I am welsh and now live in Birmingham with my English wife. Okay. Not quite as interesting, I know. But I love a link and I love people who have a story to tell. The interview will go live on Sunday.
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