To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview. So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.
ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer? The process. You can never perfect it, so unlike a job in which may people reach a ceiling, love of the craft is the motive.
What is your least favorite part? Marketing. While I have met some great people through it, it is a secondary process to me.
Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome. Narrow minded publishers. It seems now the mighty are falling.
Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve? I write in many genres so all of it all the time. If I said anything else it would indicate I thought I was too good.
What part of your writing makes you particularly proud? When I receive an email as I did for my novel Apostle Rising from a soldier fighting in Afghanistan. It said it helped him through a week’s battle and he thanked me.
What does your favorite main character have in common with you? Everything and nothing.
Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know? I research novels, I write stories straight out.
How do you use the internet for your writing? Some research.
If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had? It depends on the award.
What one marketing tool have you had good success with? The whole online blogging community, it’s great.
What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out? Write every day, I see it like practicing a tennis serve.
Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid? I used to when I started out: don’t try to sound like someone else. We all go through that and eventually abandon it for our own voice.
Do you have any strange writing habits? No.
When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what? I read every day. I read a vast amount of genres and factual books, and am prepared to read almost anything.
What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing? I am trying to tell a story. Through the story I am trying to reach people and explore the human condition.
ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers? Write every day and try to read as many authors as you can.
What advice do you have for someone looking to get published? Keep trying.
Any thoughts on what this author writes? How many books published? Here's a little more information about the author...
How many published books are to your credit? 12.
Do you have an agent? Not at present, in search of the right one.
Are you self-published? No.
How many different companies have you published with? Including anthologies, ten, only one for my book.
How long have you been writing? Many years, but professionally six.
Do you write full-time? Yes. I am lucky enough to be in that position now.
So, any thoughts? Here's the full scoop:
Richard Godwin is a
widely published crime and horror author whose work has appeared in many
magazines. He is the author of Apostle
Rising, in which a serial killer is crucifying politicians and recreating
the murder scenes of a case which nearly destroyed DCI Frank Castle. Now, many
years later, Castle leads the investigation again. He and his partner Jacki
Stone are drawn into a dark web which involves the original suspect, Karl
Black, who is now running a cult and playing games with the police. The novel
has received excellent reviews and there are already foreign rights offers for
it.
Richard Godwin is
also a published poet. His stories in
anthologies can be found here http://www.richardgodwin.net/books and here http://www.richardgodwin.net/magazines
Richard’s books are
available at all good retailers and online at Amazon.com as well as
Amazon.co.uk. Purchasing information can
be found here: http://www.blackjackalbooks.com/order
What are you working on now? My next novel, which will be released as an E Book early next year, and the sequel to Apostle Rising.
PARTING WORDS
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share? There are many styles in which the same story can be told and all of them involve knowing where to cut words.
You can learn more about Richard at his website: http://www.richardgodwin.net/ and on his blog at http://www.richardgodwin.net/blog
Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews? Let us know...drop us a comment below.
Great interview from two great writers!
ReplyDeleteYou have that damn approval thing, don't you brooks. ;)
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