Ask the Author: Scott Butler
Answered Questions (8)
Scott Butler
Hi Tobias, thanks for the note. I launched Drive back in 2015, so I'm not sure if much has changed with Kickstarter in the last 10 years. I did well to generate enough money to print and launch the book locally. It felt like a full-time job, though the best thing I found was getting buy-in locally to make it happen. I sold signed Papaerbacks, Hard Covers, made up branded Tote bags and printed posters with quotes from ther book. It went down well, though do think I was lucky to break even. Here's an article I wrote a few years ago in Medium. I don't think you need to be a subscriber to access it. https://medium.com/writing-cooperativ... Cheers, Scott
Scott Butler
I think I've always wanted to be a writer. I got into advertising quite a few years ago, (and am still in it), and I think this is very much about wanting to do something that's creative. About 6 years ago I started a writing course that pushed me towards being a little more serious about it, developing a story and just getting something down on paper. I really enjoyed the process and was thrilled to see a book I'm proud of as a final outcome.
Scott Butler
I think a lot of it is loosely based on some of my own experiences. People I've met, places I've been, things I've done, or just things I've thought about. All of which have then been blown up to fictional proportions to make for what I hope is good reading.
Scott Butler
I read a lot of other authors. I watch a lot of film. I capture notes of things that interest me and try to remember crazy dreams. I take those thoughts and flesh them out. If I can get a solid planned overview of a story that I think works, then I'll dive in a bit deeper. Hopefully there, I'll find something solid to start with.
Scott Butler
I'm working on a new Social Thriller. Something that is suspense geared - like Drive is, though I would say quite a bit more complex with a lot more characters and a pretty crazy plot. I'm enjoying it. Not quite sure where it'll end up, I'll let the words lead me.
Scott Butler
Discipline. Still something I find I'm lacking though aim to get much better at. 'Writer's write', is a mantra that I've had drilled into me by a tutor I studied with. Get a first draft down, don't worry about how bad it is, the goal has to be in completing it. Read the genre you want to write in. See how everybody else is going about it. Identify some favourites and study them, it'll help with your own progress, though work on developing your own voice.
Scott Butler
It's nice to empty my head of stuff. To turn thoughts into words. I think I've always been a bit of a dreamer, so to get something down on paper that I personally like, is a small victory. I love the thought of having created something. Holding a book in your hand that you've worked on for a long time and are proud of, is a nice feeling.
Scott Butler
I dive into a bit of exercise, take my dog Vader for a walk or just grab some fresh air. I have two young daughters so usually find myself short of time. If I'm not being productive, then I find something that is. If I'm just stuck on the story I'm writing and really need to progress with it, then I'll come at it from a different angle. I might write a back story about a central character that I might not include in the book, though the exercise might generate fresh thinking or direction.
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