Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi my name is Todd Sommerville I currently have one published book it is a book of poetry that I was inspired to put together by my girlfriend, mostly love poems that I have written to her over the last couple of years, but I am working on second book a romance novel as yet untitled but should be out in about two months.
Other than that I am a 53 year old furniture worker and father to one grown son living in the beautiful state of North Carolina.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is ( A Relationship in Verse) a poetry book written for my high school sweetheart and love of my life who I hadn’t seen for nearly thirty years and reconnected with after my marriage ended in July 2016 it was a rough and rocky reunion with ups and downs that are reflected in some of my poems but things are working out now and I strongly anticipate there will be a happily ever after.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure my habits are all that unusual I tend to write poetry on my phone since it is often a spur of the moment thing that pops into my mind, and needs to be put down immediately or lost forever somewhere within all the jumbled thoughts in my mind, writing my novel is pretty straightforward though I just bang it out on the keyboard then go back and reread it for grammar and spelling errors.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
‘I have always been a huge thriller and/or fantasy fan so Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Anne Rice, as far as poets go I’d have to say that Edgar Alan Poe is one of my all time favorites, funny part is I don’t think I write like any of them sure wish I could…lol
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a romance novel and also trying to put together a compilation poetry book with contributions from friends of mine and some local artists, and yes I consider poetry to be an art form as much as painting , or playing music.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well obviously I hope this website will be a big help this is all new to me, and I’m learning as I go but putting my book in front of people who love to read is just a no brainer, if the work stands up people will recommend and support it if it doesn’t they won’t.
that’s why I try to put only my best work on display I certainly do not believe that everything I do is gold, in fact quite the opposite I believe a lot of my stuff is average at best and I try to leave those out of my published work
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, write as much as you can, write down your ideas whenever you have them , don’t wait make multiple drafts and explore different scenarios, reread your work more than once every time I reread I find changes I want to make, also stop rereading your book at some point you have to say it’s good I’m done…lol. I personally recommend 3 rereads 1 for spelling and grammar, 2 for content, and 3 for final touches then leave it alone.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t piss in the wind…lol, Can I say that is this a rated G forum?
Seriously don’t rush, take your time do it right the first time I’ve never been big on taking advice and consequently I have made many mistakes and mistakes cost money, a well placed 10 bucks is a far better investment than an ill placed 100.
What are you reading now?
Sadly mostly my own stuff, but I have signed up for a couple of poetry groups on facebooks and have been reading a lot of fellow amateur poets on there it keeps the big head away a lot of talent there it’s very humbling
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the projects I’m currently working on and promoting the hell out of them, but I hope to continue writing novels, I will always write poetry just because it’s an outlet for my soul, and when I have enough material I’m sure I will release another book of poems.
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?
tough question most of my favorite books have been series like Stephen Kings Dark Tower, or Game of Thrones George R.R. Martin, or Tolkien Lord of the Rings, but I guess that’s a bit much so The Hobbit-Tolkien, The Vampire Lestat-Anne Rice, and The Call of the Wild-Jack London, the fourth book would be a large blank notebook assuming I’m allowed a pen or pencil as well.
Author Websites and Profiles
Todd Sommerville Website