Interview With Author Richard Kenway
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Richard and I live in Scotland with my wife, two children, two cats, and one bearded dragon. I have always had a passion for books and writing. I suppose I always knew that I wanted to be a writer but it has only been in the last five years that I wanted to pursue that dream properly.
I currently have five books that I self-published on Amazon. My philosophy has always been that if just a handful of people read my stories and enjoy them, then I have succeeded as an author.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is called Blizzard. It is about a family that finds themselves stranded after a heavy snowstorm. I’ve always had a thing for large country houses. I think they have a lot of character and history whilst at the same time having something very mysterious and a little terrifying about them. I think that’s why I like writing about them. And I’m a sucker for a good ghost story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t say they were unusual. I usually just put on some music whilst I write. If I try to have something on the TV I end up getting distracted. I do my best work when there are no distractions around.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen king is my favorite author. He has definitely been a huge inspiration to me. But I also love books written by James Herbert. Over the last few years, I have been trying to read some of the all-time classics. I thoroughly enjoyed Dracula and Jekyll and Hyde.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a project at the moment, but it is in the very early stages. The plot I have planned so far revolves around a man as he travels to an abandoned island in search of his missing brother. I wanted to book to read like a survival horror-style story. In other words, every chapter I’m going to try and kill off my main character.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I must admit that when it comes to marketing I still don’t know much. I’m mostly relying on word of mouth right now which isn’t working out too well. I haven’t sold many books and I don’t seem to be getting many reviews. But I discovered Kindleprenur and have discovered all kinds of helpful tips when it comes to marketing my books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up!
It’s short and sweet but it’s true. If you know with every fiber of your being that you are destined to be a writer then my advice to you is write, and keep on writing. Because even though it might feel like all you’re capable of producing is garbage, you learn something from everything you write, and you carry that lesson onto your next piece of work and the next one after that. The bottom line, Don’t give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I read was something that Stephen King once said. He said to be a writer you have to read a lot and you have to write a lot. And I completely agree with this. Writing and reading go hand in hand. I don’t think it’s possible to appreciate writing without reading other people’s work. Artists inspire other artists.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading part four of the Dark tower series. These are fantastic books and I have been hooked since reading the first one a few years ago. If you are a fan of fantasy adventure stories like the lord of the rings, you will love the Dark tower.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Now I’m going to focus on my new project and hopefully submit it to potential agents once it’s done. But I cannot give a time frame for that. I work twelve-hour shifts four days a week and I have other commitments outside of work so my time is pretty hectic. I plan to write whenever I can as well as work on marketing and promotions for the book I have self-published on Amazon.
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?
That’s a good question. I guess I would take long books because I wouldn’t know how long I would be stranded. The sum of all fears by Tom Clancy would be my first choice. Then two books by Stephen King. Under the dome and IT.
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