Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have always loved to write. If if wasn’t letters or essays, it was journalling. My first attempt to write a book started two years ago, when I woke up with a story running through my head. I couldn’t get it typed quickly enough, I was afraid I would lose the thread. This is now my second book, in what I plan to be a Young Adult Fantasy adventure.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The series is called Changing Times. This Part 2 is called Lost Lands. The story has been evolving over the past year. It was never planned to move in the direction it has, and to be honest, I have a place where I want to finish, but I’m not sure yet how to get there. It really has been inspired by the places I saw on my travels. The mountain scenes are memories of my time in the Himalayas, and the storm scenes are from a day in the Tatra mountains on the Czech border. Being caught in a mountain storm can be a frightening experience.
The desert scenes are from the Sinai peninsular. I use lots of my memories.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really unusual habits. My favourite writing location looks out over a pine forest, where on windy days, I get almost hypnotised by the swaying pines. I marvel sometimes at their ability to stay upright, they bend so much. It is inspiring and therapeutic. I’ve tried to describe the forest in Part 1 of my trilogy. It’s called Shifters Alliance
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have to say Tolkien, for the sheer scale of his writing. The world he created is so vast, it’s recognisable but still so magical that I wish it were real.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a short story for an Anthology due for publication in the next few weeks. It is based around the premise of “That moment when …” something hits you, or you have that unique moment. I am so lucky to have selected to sit beside some of the top name authors in YA writing today. It really is an honour for me.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
From a personal point of view it is BKnights on Fiverr.
The service gets amazing results for $5. Of course the gold standard is BookBub, but trying to get selected takes a lot of perseverance and probably luck, submitting at the right time. It’s terrible expensive though. For an Indie Writer starting out, I highly recommend BKnights.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to never delete anything. Times come when you re-read what you’ve written and suddenly feel it’s rubbish, no good at all and you’ll wipe it all and start again.
Use strike through instead. You may always use what you written somewhere else at a later date. You spent the time writing it, so keep it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A friend on Facebook (Barry Watson) once said “You can’t just drop out of the trees shouting here I am, and then expect people to support you.”
You have to work toward making social connections, helping others first before asking for help with your own projects. No one likes a taker. Let people know you and hopefully like you before you start asking for support. Give first.
What are you reading now?
The Hostile by Joy Mutter. It’s a dark fantasy novel, I would say it’s NA but that distinction is a little hard to pin down sometimes. Although the protagonist is a young girl, the subject does seem a little more adult. I really am hooked, it’s a great book which I can’t wait to get back to.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Part 3 of my Changing Times. I was planning it to be a trilogy, but where I am now and where I want to get to in one book, may not be doable.
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?
It’d take my Bible, a very large empty journal to capture my thoughts and a collection of Raymond Chandler short stories.
Author Websites and Profiles
Shaun Griffiths Website
Shaun Griffiths Amazon Profile
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