Ask the Author: Graham Johns
Answered Questions (12)
Graham Johns
Just how do I motivate myself to keep writing, that is sometimes a mystery...though it probably won't feature on any Buzzfeed Unsolved programmes.
Graham Johns
I can tell you a two word one...severed head.
But let's make it four...the severed head laughed.
But let's make it four...the severed head laughed.
Graham Johns
I don't have a reading list, I just pick something that appeals at the time. So many books, so little life in which to read them...
Graham Johns
Surely it would have to be Middle Earth? Spend time touring round some of the places described so wonderfully by Tolkien...
Graham Johns
Hi LCJ1031
Thanks for the question. I'd never done it before so it was a bit of a minefield. From a process perspective, reading Amazon's guidelines pretty well is vital (and asking them questions if you aren't sure) and looking at books you already own to see how they do it is useful.
Also, be very careful about using friends and family to give you feedback as they aren't always the most reliable critics. Taking the time to thoroughly proof read and edit is a must to try to ensure that readers are getting the best quality product you can give them.
Living abroad to my native shores meant understanding the tax implications also as Amazon are based in the USA so I had to work out what that meant to me as a UK national living in NZ. Crazy rules but ultimately simple enough to accept.
Anyone thinking of writing their first novel and self-publishing should give it a try! How about yourself?
Thanks for the question. I'd never done it before so it was a bit of a minefield. From a process perspective, reading Amazon's guidelines pretty well is vital (and asking them questions if you aren't sure) and looking at books you already own to see how they do it is useful.
Also, be very careful about using friends and family to give you feedback as they aren't always the most reliable critics. Taking the time to thoroughly proof read and edit is a must to try to ensure that readers are getting the best quality product you can give them.
Living abroad to my native shores meant understanding the tax implications also as Amazon are based in the USA so I had to work out what that meant to me as a UK national living in NZ. Crazy rules but ultimately simple enough to accept.
Anyone thinking of writing their first novel and self-publishing should give it a try! How about yourself?
Graham Johns
Hi LCJ1031
I don't think so...or at least I hope not! :-)
I guess a basic knowledge of British counties and some of the historic resentment between them (and indeed modern needling) is useful but it's certainly not a prerequisite for enjoying the comedic sci-fi herein. What did you think?
I don't think so...or at least I hope not! :-)
I guess a basic knowledge of British counties and some of the historic resentment between them (and indeed modern needling) is useful but it's certainly not a prerequisite for enjoying the comedic sci-fi herein. What did you think?
Graham Johns
"Baabaric" kind of organically evolved. I just let it flow. There are of course elements to the characters from friends or family...or acquaintances...but the plot developed as the story grew. The world is so divisive these days in a lot of the rhetoric we hear that I thought there must be another angle to it...
Graham Johns
For me, I love that I can laugh at what I am writing as I write it (and read it back). It's like stepping into a comedy world except you have the power to invent it.
Graham Johns
When I first started to write, I think it was in part because I'd read so many books during my life which were average at best and I started to think that maybe I could do better. But it's hard to find your style...when I was younger I wondered if I could write a classic...but now I figure I want to write something I'd enjoy writing and enjoy reading too.
Graham Johns
I've started on a sequel to "Baabaric", but I've also got a paperback version of "Baabaric" coming out soon on Amazon. One step at a time.
Graham Johns
They say everyone has a book in them so I say give it a go!
There are lots of people out there with (often) conflicting advice so I'd say be true to yourself and write in a way that works for you...and remember that family and friends don't always give the best feedback.
There are lots of people out there with (often) conflicting advice so I'd say be true to yourself and write in a way that works for you...and remember that family and friends don't always give the best feedback.
Graham Johns
I had a bit of this recently when I started on a sequel to "Baabaric". I think it was partly because I'd planned out the whole plot up-front to enable me to organise myself a bit better (which I didn't do before)...the problem for me was that this stifled my creativity. So, I've found the best thing for me when a block happens is to take a break and wait for a bit of inspiration to hit.
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