Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. I am a middle aged British ex-military veteran (reluctantly medically discharged following injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, much like the protagonist in my book!). I had a spell as a drummer in a band for a few years, and played numerous gigs on the British pub/bar circuit which was great fun. Finally settled into a career in the motor trade, which is enjoyable but can be pretty tedious.
Alex and Wolfe are two of my middle names, and I remember years ago saying that if I was ever to write a book, it would make a good pen name. Years later, here we are.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “A Broken Nail”?
A2. Given that I have no formal training, and have a pretty unspectacular education, I found writing the book surprisingly easy. It seemed to flow very naturally and seemingly with minimal effort. My mother was a bit of a wordsmith, and I guess I inherited some of this.
As a complete novice, once written, I involved a developmental editor who was incredibly encouraging and helpful, and was probably the best investment.
Working full-time, finding writing time was probably the main difficulty. A stolen hour here and there plus weekend afternoons were the mainstay.
By far the most challenging aspect has been getting my book published. As a complete novice, I trusted youtube for advice and guidance, only to find every contributor seemed to be giving different advice.
Currently I am traversing the minefield of 21st Century social media marketing, something on which only a short while ago I had zero presence and no knowledge!
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. One of my favourite novels, Wuthering Heights (read at school) caught my imagination and I draw on it regularly with my passion for Dartmoor where Bronte set the scene. However it is difficult to say which other authors influenced me. There have been two or three whose books I read, and the style of writing and phrasing, and on occasions the basic structure of the book seemed to require more effort to read than necessary. So for me the take away from that is to try to make my writing flow. To me, a book should be easy to read, regardless of the intricacies or otherwise of the plot.
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. By far my favourite spot to visit in the UK is Dartmoor, a bleak and hostile wilderness in the southwest of England, and a place where I spent many years on military exercises and so on. I have a basic outline for another book (this current series I’m writing is a trilogy), but my idea for my forth book is entirely different; based in Dartmoor. More on this is due course.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘A Broken Nail’?
A5. One day I found myself daydreaming in the office and started doodling then, spontaneously, a paragraph flowed. Then the more I wrote, the more I wanted to; eventually I had written a chapter, which then turned into two and so on.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘A Broken Nail’?
A6. The first draft of the book only took something like four months, and the editing maybe another month or two. Being new to this whole process, publishing was the real challenge.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. It’s currently available on Amazon, in either eBook or paperback formats. The short link is; https://amzn.eu/d/7jv3C74
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A Broken Nail’?
A8. It’s a very interesting process choosing a book cover. Something that catches the eye, but also offers an insight into what lies within. As the book is partly set in Brighton town on the English south coast, (a favourite holiday destination of Queen Victoria) it HAD to feature the historic Brighton Pier. The magenta colour jumped out at me and screamed first novel to me!
I believe conventional boy meets girl love stories are ever more relevant today and this explains the male silhouette on the cover. My male protagonist will feature in all three books so he is central to the plot.
The title becomes self-explanatory in the first chapter.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. Introducing different settings and characters, and providing enough detail of those for the reader to be able to visualise them, but not so much as it detracts from the story line. Likewise, when describing somewhere of which I have limited knowledge, I research in the library and add my own slant to keep things interesting.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
A10. Living in a quiet village, and this being my first literary venture, I haven’t really been exposed to those who might offer advise. As implied earlier, I have literally done this blind, and learnt along the way.
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Sassy Reviews 