Do You Have A Passion for Writing?
I do...although it's had to take a back seat whilst more mundane things - like earning a living - have come first!
My name is Paul Chiswick; happy husband, dependable father, conscientious worker and restless human being. Slowly easing my way towards my sixth decade of life, I have come to the conclusion that I would like to leave more to posterity than simply joyful memories and a lichen-covered urn in the back garden. Now, at the respectable age of fifty-eight, I have decided at long last to pursue my passion; to write full-time and experience life as a struggling author.
Yes, I know - everyone has a book in them, don't they? I'm sure all of us do, but the problem lies betwixt pate and parchment. What I didn't realise when I started out on this venture was the discipline and focus it would require - I certainly respect those writers with children (of any age) still resident in the family home. God knows where they find the time and energy to put pen to paper. In my case the circumstances were a little more favourable - the combination of a daughter who'd flown the nest, a strong will, steely determination and mulish stubbornness which eventually resulted in that bound lump of paper sitting on my desk - ''Through Glass Eyes'
But you know what? After that first attempt I'm finding writing gets easier, and now I have another novel in draft and an anthology of short stories ready for publication. That's the easy bit! In the current economic climate, even established authors are being dropped like hot cakes by their publishers. If that isn't depressing enough, a very large proportion of the books published each year now come from ‘celebrity writers' (who may or may not have written, or indeed had much input into, the book that appears under their name.) These books are much easier to sell, and the publishing houses are much more willing to spend money on advertising and promotions, which makes the success of these books a self-fulfilling prophecy. So the traditionally highly competitive market for budding authors has shrunk over the last few years.
But fear not! I am a great believer in self-publishing and there are many advantages to be had doing it this way. In 2010 I will be publishing - either through a traditional publishing house, or myself - 'A Practical Guide to Self-Publishing'. And I mean practical! It will focus on tapping your skills and show you how to produce your book - step by step. If you have an interest in seeing your work produced in this way, do send your comments from my Contact page.
On the Books page of this website I have scribbled a synopsis of the novel I hope to publish in 2010. I trust you find the snippets on the Extracts pages engaging. Whatever you feel after reading them - good or bad - I would be delighted to receive your comments from my Contact page.
So, if like me the story and words are in your head and dying to spill out through your fingers...stick with it! To help you along the way there are some suggestions, recommended reading, and free material on the Freebies page.
Good luck and I wish you every success with your writing endeavours.
Paul Chiswick