This week we are talking with Andrew Dobbs, the author of The Seventh Seal (The Chronicles of Daniel Stone, Book 1).
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I love music and play guitar for relaxation. I also enjoy DIY and have done everything from fitting kitchens to rewiring houses.
What kind of books do you write?
YA Fantasy, but that's my first book. Who knows where I may go after I finished the current trilogy I'm working on!
What inspired you to write?
Now there's a question! There's all the usual stuff about always wanting to write but I think as I approached middle age with young children I began to reflect on life. Writing has become my voice and outlet for all my pondering.
What makes your writing stand out from the crowd?
My approach is to create multi-level appeal with imperfect characters. We've all got flaws and so in creating a fast pace to my writing it was important for me to have the story driven by characters that were both heroic and vulnerable.
My first book, The Seventh Seal is currently being read by 11,12 year old's but equally being enjoyed by adults. Writing in this way is challenging but it makes me work harder to get a story with a difference.
What is the hardest part of writing – for you?
Finding that core idea and theme and then time. Writing is a part time occupation for me so family and working have to come first. I have found though that you can if you want always find some time.
Where do you like to write – what is your routine?
Anywhere! I work with a simple writing app on my ipad. I write in 300 to 500 words blocks, each one representing a step in the stories journey. It's not conventional but it works for me.
What do you do when you are not writing – do you have a day job?
I'm a director of a construction company and so I'm busy all the time.
Do you work with an outline or just write?
Yes and no. I create a general direction of travel but don't stress about sticking rigidly to it. I work on the idea of writing to my current clear idea horizon. Once over that, if I end up in a different place then I change direction. It's more exciting that way as each word and sentence becomes a key that unlocks the next.
What advice would you have for other writers?
Just write, don't worry initially about quality. If you angst over every little bit of grammar or syntax it will paralyse you. So just write and organise and fix the quality issues later. It's very liberating to throw of the shackles in this way and once you get some momentum it will keep you going.
How important is marketing and social media for you?
It's very important and something I need to get better at. I'm amazed at the amount of talented people that you connect with. The power of mobilising such a huge number of people towards what you've written and having free advice is obvious.
What's your next step?
Get more exposure for the first book, The Seventh Seal and finish part 2, which is evolving in a very exciting way. I could never have imagined where I am currently at in the story when I wrote the opening chapter to the first book….that's the power of stories; they can take us anywhere!
The Seventh Seal by Andrew J. Dobbs is available here.
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://thebookpromoter.com
