It's maybe a weird thing to admit, but, I dreaded starting a blog.

I mean, I know I'm supposed to be a writer and that's what I do, right? But I'm from the pen and paper generation and I still don't really know what the point of a blog really is. That being the case, Goodreads suggested it would be a good idea. So, I've grabbed the bull by the horns, and here I am.

It's hard to credit that it's now been over ten years since I published my first book: 'Legionary, a Call to Arms'. What dreams and aspirations I had then. Boy, did I ever fall back down to earth with an almighty bump!

That amazingly deluded belief I harboured that I would instantly achieve a living wage from my writing has still not borne fruit. I still work in occupations I have no real passion for and I still dream of doing something I really love with my life.

So, what's different now?

Well, the thing is, after 10 years of doing this, you come to realise that it is the writing that is important and not how much you can earn from it.

The best way of teaching yourself that lesson is to write non-fiction. If you're anything like me, You'll spend 18 months writing and researching a title and earn next to nothing for your pains. However, what you do get is the immense satisfaction of completing such a project and the added pride in knowing that a reputable publisher recognised the merits of your work and published it, without trying to charge you any money for the privilege.

My first non-fiction title was 'Boudica's Last Stand'. As I previously suggested, it gave a very modest return in royalties, but its real rewards were the people it brought me together with.

Since it was first published in 2007, I have given many talks and compared notes with many experts on the subject. I was even invited to attend as a guest speaker at a seminar on the Boudican revolt at Warwick University.

The feeling of vindication I got for setting out on my chosen path was immense.

As if to underline that point, I'm still busy doing these things now and I love the enthusiasm of the people I meet during the course of these activities. Last weekend I was standing in the middle of a village church, fully armoured as a Pagan Roman Legionary. Oh, the irony - delicious.

This then, is the true reward, I think, for the writer. Anything else is a bonus.

Still, maybe we can talk more about my non-fiction stuff later, but for now, I seem to be back where I started - fiction writing.

Here is where your knowledge and passion for your chosen subject can go romping off, arm in arm with your desire to tell a rollicking good yarn. Here is where you find true freedom in writing as you are not constrained by the need to lay down fact but are free instead to create a world of your own making. A place where, hopefully, other people want to come and experience it for themselves.

So, as I said, here I am then. Back in the world of fiction and already working on book 2 of my trilogy. Of course, I'm older and wiser now but I still love to hear what people have to say about my work - good or bad.

And on that note, I think it's time for a cuppa and a bit of telly and hopefully we'll talk again soon.