In the beginning.

This is a question that I ask myself often. It actually raises several other questions that I feel need to be considered at the same time.

First some history:

I am not unintelligent. I went to public school and took my English O’ Level (as it was back then) a year early. I was not a great fan of English, preferring maths and sport. I also entered the school public speaking competition – for a bet!  I won that. So, I can both compose and speak – hmm not so bad then.

Following on from that came a long career in Law – now  English (some Latin) in both written and oral form was required.  As a lawyer I was good and earned a healthy living. I became quite ill and so took semi-forced early, sort of, retirement in my very early 50’s.

Sure, retirement sounds wonderful. Do as you please, when you please. But truth is, you need to keep active, physically and mentally. So, I decided on a whim to write a novel. It was simply to keep my brain working, nothing more. I also took and have TEFL under my belt so I can teach English too. I am finally nearly finished a diploma in copywriting – that’s even more fun than a novel as its faced paced turn around stuff.  

The here and now:

I digress. So just to keep the mind alive I write. I still do. My mind is such that I now have several great ideas for books, the outlines are done, just need the words now.

As I went about this novel I was showing snippets to others – sort of Beta Readers – not that I knew the term. They liked it. Well, that was unexpected. So, it went on. Having finished ‘Stella’ I then had to edit it. You see, by the time you finish writing you actually want someone to read it. A few already have and like it. That was hard work.  

I had no idea what a manuscript should look like, so I paid for an editor. She was amazing and taught me so much.  My first stab at finding an agent was an immediate yes, well it’s all looking good. Now it’s their job to get me in print and on the bookshelves. 

As this journey has continued the goal posts have moved. So really the questions become:

Why did you start writing? To keep the brain going.

Are you any good? That’s for others to answer.  Those that have read me, love me. I love what I write. Very readable with a good flow.

Will you get published?  Of course, one lucky publisher will have many books to add to their portfolio.

Why do you write? To show others my visions.

How many books will you write? So long as I have ideas and demand for my work I will write. There are at least 6 ideas floating about so that’s not a bad start I don’t suppose.

I am sure there are other questions, but for now that’s it. I am enjoying what I do and I hope that others will soon enjoy what I do as well.