Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a curious mix of Musician, Lawyer and now writer. I studied Law in the 90’s but was then seduced by the dark side – Rock and Roll! I worked as a pro musician for some 20 years as a songwriter, session musician and teacher.
Later in life I returned to the books and qualified as a Lawyer and Mediator and now, virus aside, am carving out an existence which combines all of the the above.
I’m working on a novel with an accompanying soundtrack album but have just self published my first non fiction piece.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My new book is How to Write a Song and the spark came from the many people who I’ve met, taught or just bumped into who would love to write a song but don’t really know where to start. Bit like a novel… there’s a song in everybody and so my aim is to help those frustrated songwriters as best I can.
The book is really an elaboration of some workshops I did with underprivileged kids a few years ago. These were kids who were brimming with talent and vitality but had no exposure to proper music teachers or facilities.
So we gathered in a room and I simply talked to these kids and, much to their amusement, wrote down pretty much everything they said. But then they all sat up when I chopped, chewed and crafted their own words into a verse, then a Chorus. I sat at the piano and stuck a few chords to their words and in a couple of hours they were all up and gathered around a mic recording their own song.
It was great to see and the book takes that premise into a little more detail to help anyone and everyone vent their musical spleens.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My computer sits in front of me and my synth directly to my right. If the words don’t flow on the computer I simply swivel the chair round and see if some notes might flow instead.
Hopefully this gives me at least some progress either in terms of music or words. It’s certainly interesting with the novel. As it progresses, various parts of the story jump out as being song material and so although I haven’t mastered working both kinds of keyboards at the same time, it moves everything along, slowly but together.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In terms of the upcoming novel, without a doubt Stephen King. His book “On Writing” is a must read for any wannabe writer.
I recently re-read “It” and as well as being scared to death for the second time, I marvelled at the absolutely exquisite structure. That guy knows how to write!
With the non-fiction piece, I’ve read plenty of Law books over the last few years and some of them are duller than dull. I have a friend in New Zealand, Joe Bennett, who writes fantastic travel books. He manages to get a perfect balance of information and humour whilst letting his own non-fiction read like a story.
What are you working on now?
As I mentioned, it’s the slow moving novel with bonus album. It’s coming but I’m not beating myself up about the pace.
With How to Write a Song it really was a case of write what you know and although it is in itself quite a short piece of work, it came quickly and easily.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to this so it’s the usual social media sites first and I’m slowly exploring sites like Goodreads to expand the reach as it were.
Of course it helps that I have various music projects on the go at any one time and so I can merge the promo of the book with the music.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
As Mr King advised in “On Writing”….. just start. After that accept the bad days with zero words and move on.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sorry… stuck record here. See above!
What are you reading now?
A mish-mash which includes Getting to Yes by Fisher and Ury – my attempt at keeping in touch with the Law/Mediation world while in lockdown.
Also on the go are Letters from an Astrophysicist by Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Dead Man’s Blues by Ray Celestin.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be chipping away at that novel and starting another non-fiction book. I’ve got lots to learn all round and so I guess I’m in it for the long haul!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d like the all in one version of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings please. I’m happily lost in that world and by the time you get to the end it’s no trouble to start again.
The Shining would have to be my SK selection and that alongside The Road by Cormac Macarthy would at least remind me that things could be worse.
Finally, I never read a Brief History of Time so I’ll squeeze that one in too if that’s ok.
Author Websites and Profiles
Andy Duerden Website
Andy Duerden Amazon Profile
Andy Duerden’s Social Media Links
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