Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new author, having recently finished my first book and published on Kindle.
Writing a book has been a major ‘life event’ for me.
This has come to me relatively late in life, at the grand age of fifty six years!
If someone had told me a year ago, that I would write and publish a book…. I would have told them they were mad!
Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would be a published author.
You see, I always hated writing at school and completing homework was just a chore. I would much rather be working with my hands than dealing with paper. Of course today, we have the wonders of technology and the internet.
Working on a Laptop has many advantages, from the point of view of research, formatting and correcting errors. The only downside in this is poor posture and eyestrain!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My (first) book is titled “Investing Money For Beginners – how to become a DiY investor”.
The project came about as follows:
I decided to write a book, following a course that taught the wonders of becoming a ‘self published author’, utilizing the Kindle platform.
Therein lay a dilemma… what to write about?
I had spent most of my working life within the offices of various commercial insurance companies and brokers. Did I want to write about insurance?
No way!….I have been trying to get out of insurance for years and do something different!
I have a long standing passion for ‘Classic Cars’ …. could this be a good subject?
My other option was to write about ‘Investing’, because I had done this for almost thirty years, as an enthusiastic amateur.
I chose ‘Investing’ as the subject matter, because I knew about it and was very interested.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I really don’t know the answer to this, that is for readers to discover and remark upon!
It is probably true to say that I try to write as I think, rather than trying to emulate some great author such as Charles Dickens.
As I have no formal training, I throw myself upon the crowd to decide my fate as an author!
After writing the first draft of my book I decided it was pretty awful…. and reminded me of many insurance textbooks I had to study.
These were the ones that caused me to fall asleep halfway through reading in bed. Many times I awoke the following morning with the book open on the floor!
So I decided to re-write the first draft and to try and inject something to make the reading more open, easy and enjoyable. This included the use of graphics, to break up the text and illustrate the various points that I was making.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
This is quite an amusing question to answer!
I have to admit to a dislike of reading books. This started in school and lasted pretty well up until 2012!
I have always been an avid reader of magazines however, because they were short on text and contained illustrations.
In the last twelve months I have read more books than in the previous forty years!
This is completely due to gaining an interest through Kindle.
I found myself reading a large number of Kindle books published by new authors. Through reading these books and being involved in the self publishing scene, I have come to appreciate the sheer effort and skill that does into writing and creating a book.
A couple of books have really impressed me, not because they are by the greatest authors on the planet. They have impressed me because they are creations by new aspiring authors that have their own message to convey.
Firstly, “Antiques Don’t Bounce” by Richard Bullivant (Funny, Biographical)
Secondly, “Foreign Deceit” by Jeff Carson (Thriller)
Both are available on Amazon kindle
What are you working on now?
I’m going through the ‘marketing’ phase for my Kindle book.
After this is complete I will write the ‘paperback’ version and publish on Amazon. This should be a fairly quick process now that I have an existing book to work with and understand how the process works.
Next on the list will be to help my good friend write his first book. This I think, will be the story of how he restored his Classic Car from a wreck into a show winner. He has owned this car since 1988 and it is an amazing story. Is this likely to be in demand with readers? We will have to wait and see. But I want to help him to achieve his dream!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is all trial and error at the moment!
I am trying as many different avenues as possible to get my book noticed by readers. Again, this is a whole new learning process.
Any effort expended will be a useful part of an overall learning process.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Get stuck in and do it!
If I can write a book, believe me when I say that anyone can do it!
The best advice would be to pick a subject that you know a lot about or are very interested in.
You have to find your own style of writing, this may take some time and set backs.
Remember that writing is a learning process. some may find certain aspects easier to master than others. We all have strengths and weaknesses and nobody is perfect.
The advantage with self publishing is that it is relatively inexpensive, since your main cost is limited to your time.
At least you do not have to worry about trying to get a big publishing house to take you seriously!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”
“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential”
Both quotes from Winston Churchill.
What are you reading now?
I have three Kindle books to read, when I have completed by own book.
They are on various subjects:
Promoting Kindle books
Building a Blog
Finance and Money
I find it strange that I have developed a thirst for acquiring knowledge…. by reading books!
What’s next for you as a writer?
To develop my writing and publishing skills.
Continue the learning process and build a Blog.
To understand and use’Social Media’
Write some more books for myself.
Help friends to write a first book and bring their stories and interests to life.
What is your favorite book of all time?
The book that I have just written!
Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Tipping Website
Paul Tipping Amazon Profile
Paul Tipping’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile