Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am winding up (polishing) book three, which began as a short story called ‘The Recording’, available and free if you contact me via the email address. Its a science fiction 9 page story about the first woman to reach Mars. The story allowed me to break through a wall of ice (writers block) that had developed as a serious problem on my second novel: ‘The Journal of Resurrection’, available at Amazon stores as an ebook. Amazon have been pretty amazing at messing up my self publishing career and even attributed my first novel to an American poet of the same name! As if the whole writing process was not hard enough! Anyhoo, we march on.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘World of Difference’ is a science fiction narrative and was inspired by writers block (see above) and it was a life long desire to write in the sci-fi genre. Writing is not a passive hobby, it demands a steady marathon fit discipline, its not for the weak minded or tardy. But if you do plunge into the icy water you are rewarded with healthy exercise and eventual achievement. Hopefully your experience will be happier than mine, I’m glad I committed to the writing journey but it is an intensive work out. Now I must consider book two in the series: ghastly!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write in the morning, half dead in my dressing gown coffee in hand then collapse a few hours later, happy that the day is done.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Frank Herbert saved my life in university, the Dune cycle and radio were my only friends.
At the moment I am analysis the work (44 books) of Jack Vance in a vain effort to understand how he does the magic. I have resorted to purchasing a copy (Hardback) of the writers of the twenty first century series devoted to his work. I first made Jack’s acquaintance reading ‘Emphyrio’, (1969). Even though a little dated his writing still drags you under and before you know whats happening your hooked. Richard Morgan and Anthony Ryan also impress and happen to be fellow UK residents.
What are you working on now?
As mentioned earlier I slave presently on ‘World of Difference’, which nears completion, I was fortunate enough to learn from my past mistake and worked out a simple system to avoid writers block: sketch out stand out KEY scenes, including ending and inciting incident, then use these (however many) scenes to link up the story. I found that this allowed me to write the whole body of text in months instead of years. You may have as little as two or three key scenes, but once you find those you can build various pathways into, beyond and through the narrative. The memory tree of backstory can provide more than character detail.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find Amazon worse than useless, they stopped people buying my second book because I sent prospective readers the link to my book! A bitter pill to swallow. I’m tapping away now to promote my book, its hard to be a marketeer and novelist, welcome to multiple hat universe.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it, if you show up on a regular basis, the job eventually gets done! And you do improve. I would also add that most first novels can be discreetly hidden under the sofa or burned. Your choice. Read as time allows, but as much as you can. And if possible, dive deep.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make you posterior sit in front of your computer, or where ever you write with quill and ink or on your cell phone, BUT do it every day for the rest of your born days! Think of it as eating or breathing, an ESSENTIAL and DAILY activity that allows the odd day off for Christmas, Thanks Giving, or any other once per year celebration.
Secondly keep writing materials near your bed, hut, cabin, tower block, within easy reach. You never know when inspiration or notes to self will occur.
What are you reading now?
Several Jack Vance novels, Anthony Ryan’s latest series, some Gene Wolf and the occasional Corona virus headlines.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Bug out finish novel three and try not to have a nervous breakdown about novel four.
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?
Dune omnibus if it exists (six books in one), or if that’s not allowed the last one, Chapter House, book six. And at the moment a Vance trilogy. Blood Song by Anthony Ryan, probably one of the best fantasy novels I ever had the pleasure to read. The other two books in the trilogy are also noteworthy, if not quiet as fantastic as the coming of age first episode novel.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sean (aka WJ) Donovan Website
Sean (aka WJ) Donovan Amazon Profile
Sean (aka WJ) Donovan Author Profile on Smashwords
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