Intro:

I have always enjoyed writing, since childhood, and I have kept a journal since my high school era - there are so many Moleskine notebooks, perfectly aligned in a draw. My journals are even organised by the year and are in perfect chronological order. I mean, there must be over a hundred, perhaps it’s some kind of madness or illness of the mind. Either way, I enjoy writing and it is only recently that I’ve spent more time developing ideas into works for others to read and enjoy. It is an honour to hear people say that they have read my work and like it, that they connected to it, on some level.

How Do You Know What to Write?

I find it to be a natural process. Ideas and thoughts develop into something complex and substantial in detail. Often, during periods of rest or sleep, these ideas grow organically.

Most of what I like to write is inspired by scientific research from the past, present, and forecasts for the future. My educational background is rich in scientific information, which I continue to research in my spare time. It is fascinating to read and realize what this research could mean for the future of our world

How Long Does It Take You to Write a Book?

I think this varies greatly from person to person. Some authors take many years, even decades, while others claim to have finished a novel in days.

When I write, it is almost like a spider’s web of ideas, with a storyline that grows and develops. I enjoy writing, so I write quite a lot, sometimes as much as 5,000 words in a day. My average is probably closer to 1,000 to 2,000 words a day. However, writing a novel is not as simple. The writing needs to be controlled and stay within the story's parameters. Even if I could write a novel quickly, I would allow time before publishing for the themes and ideas to develop. This is one of the most important stages.

If I had to give a figure, I would say around six months, for me. However, it is usually longer.

What is the most difficult part of writing a book?

For me, it is editing. It’s not that I’m good or bad at editing, it just isn’t what I like to do. It is a very separate skill and something that I don’t find as pleasant as writing. Having said this, it is standard practice to hire an editor to do this. Most people can’t see their own mistakes, no matter how many times they read over them - so another set of eyes (the more the better) will aid in the development.

Did You Self-Publish or Go the Traditional Publishing Route, and Why?

I have worked with a publisher before for a short story and have sent proposals for longer works of fiction. However, they take far too long to respond, as they are always busy. So I decided to go with something that suited my own pace, or if nothing else, something to do while I waited for the responses.

Self-publishing allows my work to be distributed at my own pace, from the platforms that I select and the price that I set. It gives me more control, which I like. I aim to get my work out there for people to enjoy, and self-publishing seems the fastest way to do this. However, the professional steps still need to be followed - this is something to be remembered. Publishers take care of many of the duties that self-publishers still need to do, but they must do it themselves or hire someone. Things like editing, at least myself and many others think, cannot be done by the author alone. Another, and ideally many, set of eyes are needed to iron out the creases. Many people don't feel like getting others to critique their full manuscript. Another thing to remember is that a critique helps you identify problems, before the release, instead of finding out the very same problems from those leaving reviews.

I do have a couple of ongoing proposals with agencies and publishers for works developed in a very different, slower-paced manner compared to my other work. I believe the choice between self-publishing and traditional publishing is not about being a "good author," but rather about the style and pace of the work. Some people, and even different genres from the same author, have reasons to go with either method of publishing. It's not always a case of one or the other, by preference, but rather the method that suits the work being proposed. Certain genres benefit from the in-house services that publishing companies have, such as the promotion and advertising that they can provide.

What important advice would you give a first-time writer who is starting a book?

I would say that it is important to plan. Planning is the foundation of works of fiction. You need to know the plot, and the themes and the characters need to have consistent identities.

If writing a book is something you want to do, spend some time thinking about the topic you will cover as well as the message you want to convey to your reader. Next, research how to create a good outline that you can leverage during your writing process to keep you focused and on track.

In addition, I would highlight how, especially your first book, needs ‘rounding off’ to begin quite early. Otherwise, you find yourself going on and on, and it ends up losing the right pace. My ‘rounding off’ of book 1 went from 70,000 words to 140,000 words. It is hard, not to divert from the delivery of the important details of the story.

Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I aim to try and be of use, in the articles I write. I aim to release new articles on a regular basic - at least once a week. Subscribe to get notified when a new article drops!

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