I'm a bestselling novelist

[carruthersjames]

AMA!

[PecanPastry]

Did you do any courses? Do you have a degree related to it? I've always wanted to write, but I just don't where to start

How do you keep your creative juices flowing?

[carruthersjames]

How long have you been an successful writer?

Four years.

Did it take long for you to become a known author?

I don't know, really. I'm still not as known as I'd like. You never feel like you have arrived.

[HollowTalk]

Oh I wonder whether we know each other, OP! I'm in that field, too.

[carruthersjames]

Did you study Eng Lit at university, carruthers? I imagine fewer genre authors do Creative Writing degrees, though I do know a novelist who used to write literary fiction and who recently did the crimewriting MA at UEA.

No, I didn't!

Did you do any courses? Do you have a degree related to it? I've always wanted to write, but I just don't where to start

Not a single course. The way I started twas to open my laptop and write, and commit to finish it.

How do you keep your creative juices flowing?

I read books, watch good TV, good films, read the crime sections of newspapers, try to keep an eye on what is keeping the public enthralled.

[carruthersjames]

Oh I wonder whether we know each other, OP! I'm in that field, too.

Maybe?

[HollowTalk]

Hmmm I have a good idea!

[donajimena]

I love thrillers. I devour them. I want to know who you are!

[Notevenonaweekend]

Thanks for your reply - that's excellent about not having to do publicity. I write for other people, so they do all that side of things, but I would hate it myself. Good luck with it all, sounds like you're doing brilliantly!

[cubbycubby]

But if you walk into a supermarket stocking 20 or less books, mine are there.

• you're a writer, it's 'fewer' books, surely?

[carruthersjames]

I love thrillers. I devour them. I want to know who you are!



Thanks for your reply - that's excellent about not having to do publicity. I write for other people, so they do all that side of things, but I would hate it myself. Good luck with it all, sounds like you're doing brilliantly!

I read your thread - I would imagine publicity for celeb memoirs etc is really high. Less so for fiction I think. It does depend though. Some of the big authors do lots of events.

But if you walk into a supermarket stocking 20 or less books, mine are there - you're a writer, it's 'fewer' books, surely?

There is more to writing books than immaculate grammar.

[ShovingLeopard]

Firstly, OP, bloody well done for cracking what is a very tough nut.

How many novels had you got published before you were earning enough for it to qualify as 'a living', and allow you to give up the day job?

[ApolloandDaphne]

What did you do before you became an author?

[MikeUniformMike]

Thank you for the reply. Much appreciated.
I love a thriller and will look out for you in the supermarket.
Do you scope out the plot before you start writing?

[Ihopeyourcakeisshit]

With regards to less/fewer, I think that's where editors come in.

[applesauce1]

How much time do you spend researching before writing a book?

[MistyReturns]

Hmmm your description sounds very like an author I've just got VERY into. 5 books with the same male detective lead. Very "shocking" and at times harrowing. Excellent female characters too (some being evil - others just standard bitches ).
If they are yours the one I've recently read is set in the next big city to me (as they all are), but the city they are in cahoots with (as it were) or linked to , is my home city. Really hope it's you.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

cubby you beat me to it

I catch DH out with that all the time, it winds him up as he's a huge grammar pedant and that's his only achilles heel.

[slippyshoesshuffle]

Could you write a very short piece on here for us?

Your own choice of subject, or if you like 'The Mumsnet Abyss', a thriller - naturally.

[Cheekyandfreaky]

Were you working when you wrote your first book? How did you carve out the time initially?

What motivated you early on?

[Ihopeyourcakeisshit]

Are you open to a spot of bribery to be a character in one of your books?
If so pm me, I'll give you my name.
No pressure but I'd love to be involved in the villainous antics of your thrillers.

[NachoFries]

@MistyReturns Sounds really interesting. Would love to read it. What’s it called?

[Pantheon]

How do you plan your novels and does the plan change much when you start writing?

[MistyReturns]

@nachofries - if op confirms it's NOT her I'll let you know. Well worth reading. If it is her... I don't know? Pm you maybe. Wouldn't want to out her x

[carruthersjames]

Firstly, OP, bloody well done for cracking what is a very tough nut.

How many novels had you got published before you were earning enough for it to qualify as 'a living', and allow you to give up the day job?

My first UK book deal didn't really pay quite a living wage (though close) but together with foreign deals I could have given up almost immediately. I earned enough from my second two-book contract (books 3 and 4) to be paid a good wage.

What did you do before you became an author?

I'd rather not say because it's super outing.

Thank you for the reply. Much appreciated.
I love a thriller and will look out for you in the supermarket.
Do you scope out the plot before you start writing?

Yes, I am a planner and my publisher likes to see a synopsis.

How much time do you spend researching before writing a book?

It depends on the book. Some need almost no research, some need a lot. Usually I spend a couple of weeks reading around the subject to check my set up works, and then look things up as I go/email people and ask questions, and then I get it read by someone who is 'in the know'. People are very kind and seem to want to help authors to read.

Hmmm your description sounds very like an author I've just got VERY into. 5 books with the same male detective lead. Very "shocking" and at times harrowing. Excellent female characters too (some being evil - others just standard bitches grin).
If they are yours the one I've recently read is set in the next big city to me (as they all are), but the city they are in cahoots with (as it were) or linked to , is my home city. Really hope it's you.

It's not me!

Could you write a very short piece on here for us?

Your own choice of subject, or if you like 'The Mumsnet Abyss', a thriller - naturally.

Ha, never write for free.

Were you working when you wrote your first book? How did you carve out the time initially?

Yes. Evenings, weekends. On my commute.

What motivated you early on?

I really wanted it. I had been writing for much of my life, on and off, and never finished anything. I hit a significant birthday and realised I'd never achieve it unless I actually changed something. From that day I never missed a day's writing.

Are you open to a spot of bribery to be a character in one of your books?
If so pm me, I'll give you my name.grin
No pressure but I'd love to be involved in the villainous antics of your thrillers.

Ha, too outing I am afraid, though I am always after character names.

How do you plan your novels and does the plan change much when you start writing?

I decide on the premise/topic of my book. And then I decide on the beginning and the ending. And then I sort of fill it in. Inevitably, I do quite a few large edits on my own and then with publisher too...

[yawning801]

Ooh well done OP, I know how bloody hard it is! Have you had any experience with vanity publishers? That's all the experience I've ever had not bitter at all