Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Now retired from a technical sales role marketing toxic gas analysers I have concentrated on bringing to market four, stand-alone, fantasy adventures for MG children, describing the Adventures of Jimmy Crikey. Two further children’s/YA stories compete with my aim to finish a memoir and another YA fantasy adventure.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My fourth in a series of Jimmy Crikey’s Adventures started off life almost fifty years ago on the beach at Great Yarmouth. A few showery afternoons drove my five-year-old son and his four new friends to seek shelter in our beach tent. To keep them amused (quiet) for a while I had to tell them a story – on the hoof as we hadn’t brought any books down to the beech. Almost fifty years later they are now in print via Amazon/KDP and the latest in the series is The Adventures of Jimmy Crikey: The Emerald Lake.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know of. I’m sure many writers pick up the pen (figuratively) and just start writing with no idea where the story will ‘go’.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Enid Blyton’s Magic Faraway Tree entertained me and my two boys over and over. As did Rupert Bear. Later, Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Rings trilogy – an absolute standard and all of the Harry Potter adventures. Wilbur Smith’s books never fail to entertain.
What are you working on now?
Just getting over the traumas of getting Jimmy Crikey’s The Emerald Lake published on Amazon. As I get older things (processes) that once raced through now take an age and without help would never reach the market. When I recover I will have a choice of three unfinished projects. I think the memoir deserves my attention.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am so unorganised that it’s a bit of a scattershot effort knowing which is the best return for the few bucks available for promotion.
A good cover design and a good book description help self-promo attempts.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try to start building a fan base as soon as you can. Br active on FB & Twitter (and other online sites.) Get used to appearing online with short pieces about your life and work.
And, write, write, write. Never give up even when the going gets tough. You would be very fortunate not to hit a brick wall at some time in your career – and not just once. If you give up, you were never intended to be a writer. Have faith in your ability and never stop developing your skills
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Develop a thick skin – let it go over your head and pick up that pen again.
What are you reading now?
A David Baldacci thriller – Tomorrow
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?
The Bible (Old & New testaments, Gibbon’s Rise & Fall of the Roman Empire, Wilbur Smith’s Where the Lion Feeds.
Author Websites and Profiles
Wallace Briggs Website
Wallace Briggs Amazon Profile