Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
This is the fourth book I’ve written (recently), but the other three are academic which I wrote while at Uni.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called Gap Year Travel Tips and came about while traveling for a near constant four year period. I went through various countries, including developing ones, and solved each problem and issue as it came up. I always keep a diary and so wrote all the things I was learning, things to avoid, ways to stay safe, saving money etc. and it kind of grew from there. It’s unique as it’s borne from practical moment-to-moment experience. It’s the kind of advice and guidance you’d get from an experienced friend rather than professional journalist.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Basically, writing where ever I am at the time, often on the road. I have a full size keyboard that I plug into a tablet and sit with it on my lap, on buses, trains, at the side of the road etc. I get some very strange looks.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I mostly read about meditation and spirituality for recreation. I’m very open and read whatever I find so I wouldn’t say there’s one specific author I look up to.
What are you working on now?
I’m working in Cambodia for an NGO, which doesn’t pay me (though I love it). I’m a qualified English teacher, and so I’m writing an online teacher training course, based around videos and a workbook, which hopefully will pay my rent and mean I can stay here.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve only just started promoting this one so I can’t really say.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to ask me again in six months when I have some idea what I’m doing!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The last words of the Buddha, ‘There’s nothing worth holding’.
What are you reading now?
A huge book about the technical aspects of education, far too boring to be of interest to your readers.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After doing my English course I have three ideas starting to take place. One, a book about Chinese philosophy, which I’ve been interested in since I was young. Two, a photo book with inspirational quotes overlaid with my travel photos. Then I want to write a book and course about my unique spiritual/meditation practice which I’ve evolved over my lifetime.
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?
The Dhammapada, by the Buddha.
Three blank notebooks for me to write in.
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