www.thepangeanchronicles.com
How did you become an author and get published? Share your experience.
I've always written stories, since I was a child. But the first novel I wrote (Which became The Pangean Chronicles: Awakenings) back in 2002. Over the past twenty years I've played around with it and eventually my wife said:"Why don't you look into publishing it?". My first book was published by a hybrid published in March 2024 and I then went on to self publish the next two in the series during July of 2024.
When you're working on a book and a new idea pops up, should you pursue it immediately (also known as 'UP syndrome') or finish your current project first? What do you think is the best course of action?
I always have a notebook to hand so, even if I'm tapping out a different story, I will scribble down anything that pops into my mind. This has proven so useful over the years. Its so annoying when something occurs to you and then a week or so later its gone from your mind so I would always write it down.
Which character do you enjoy writing the most as a writer and why? If choosing a favorite character is like choosing a favorite child, which character do you find requires the most attention and detail from you as a writer?
That's a tricky one! I love all of my characters, even the evil ones. I particularly like the damaged or vulnerable characters, they tend to require more attention from me.
Can you explain your writing process? Do you prefer to create an outline and plan beforehand, or do you prefer to write more spontaneously and organically?
I tend to write spontaneously but, as I mentioned I always have a notebook to hand so i will put ideas down before typing it out.
What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
I am a huge Stephen King fan and he has been a big inspiration to me. I would always recommend his Dark Tower series.
Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in [jobs/education] in your writing?
A little, I teach Geography at my school and I'm sure the whole idea of Pangea and the joining of the continental plates have probably from there.
Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?
I think there are elements of me in my main character, Michael Shaw but mostly he is my opposite. He is quite suave and cool...very unlike me!
Describe the [book/series] in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
Epic, Exciting, dark, adventure, fantasy, horror, young adult, magical, big!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don't think so - I like to 'junk write' sometimes - As in i write down what ever comes into be head even if it is a word repeated over and over again. If find that warms my brain up sometimes!!
Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?1. What is your favorite line from your book?
Be patient! I am not a patient person, and in the process of the looking for publishers, I made some very silly decisions and put my trust in some people who certainly did not have me or my book in their interests - Be careful and have your eyes open to scammers!
Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?
Not yet! I suppose I'm close to it with my most recent project, I've writted myself into a brick wall which needs knocking down but I've got some ideas.
Did you have any say in the cover design?
Yes I did. For my first book, the Hybrid Publisher was excellent and asked my opinions and input in its design. With the other two, I created them myself which I really enjoyed.
What are you reading right now?
Revival by Stephen King
What can we anticipate from you moving forward?
Well, with the trilogy now complete, I have been working on some prequal stories. I am hoping my next book: The Bridge of Souls will be out in October with the next one out in Spring next year. I would also like to create a book of short stories based on the ancient demon world of Pangea, but I haven't started that yet!
Do you have any movie or tv adaptations in the works?
No but I can see my stories on the screen one day.
Did you always want to be an author? If not, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I'm actually a teacher currently and that was a the career I always thought I would follow. Now that I have three published books, it is my dream to become a full time author! That would be amazing!
Where do you like to write? In a coffee shop? In your home office? On the beach?
I'm lucky enough to have a laptop so I'm quite happy to write anywhere.
What other hobbies do you have outside of writing?
I love to walk, my family live on the outskirts of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex so I treat that as my adventure land. I also love gardening.
Are any of the characters in your book based on people in your real life? If so, can you tell us more about that process and how it influenced your writing?
No, not really. There are probably some traits which I have included but if I have, I've done in unconciously.
www.thepangeanchronicles.com
How did you become an author and get published? Share your experience.
I've always written stories, since I was a child. But the first novel I wrote (Which became The Pangean Chronicles: Awakenings) back in 2002. Over the past twenty years I've played around with it and eventually my wife said:"Why don't you look into publishing it?". My first book was published by a hybrid published in March 2024 and I then went on to self publish the next two in the series during July of 2024.
When you're working on a book and a new idea pops up, should you pursue it immediately (also known as 'UP syndrome') or finish your current project first? What do you think is the best course of action?
I always have a notebook to hand so, even if I'm tapping out a different story, I will scribble down anything that pops into my mind. This has proven so useful over the years. Its so annoying when something occurs to you and then a week or so later its gone from your mind so I would always write it down.
Which character do you enjoy writing the most as a writer and why? If choosing a favorite character is like choosing a favorite child, which character do you find requires the most attention and detail from you as a writer?
That's a tricky one! I love all of my characters, even the evil ones. I particularly like the damaged or vulnerable characters, they tend to require more attention from me.
Can you explain your writing process? Do you prefer to create an outline and plan beforehand, or do you prefer to write more spontaneously and organically?
I tend to write spontaneously but, as I mentioned I always have a notebook to hand so i will put ideas down before typing it out.
What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
I am a huge Stephen King fan and he has been a big inspiration to me. I would always recommend his Dark Tower series.
Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in [jobs/education] in your writing?
A little, I teach Geography at my school and I'm sure the whole idea of Pangea and the joining of the continental plates have probably from there.
Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?
I think there are elements of me in my main character, Michael Shaw but mostly he is my opposite. He is quite suave and cool...very unlike me!
Describe the [book/series] in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
Epic, Exciting, dark, adventure, fantasy, horror, young adult, magical, big!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don't think so - I like to 'junk write' sometimes - As in i write down what ever comes into be head even if it is a word repeated over and over again. If find that warms my brain up sometimes!!
Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?1. What is your favorite line from your book?
Be patient! I am not a patient person, and in the process of the looking for publishers, I made some very silly decisions and put my trust in some people who certainly did not have me or my book in their interests - Be careful and have your eyes open to scammers!
Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?
Not yet! I suppose I'm close to it with my most recent project, I've writted myself into a brick wall which needs knocking down but I've got some ideas.
Did you have any say in the cover design?
Yes I did. For my first book, the Hybrid Publisher was excellent and asked my opinions and input in its design. With the other two, I created them myself which I really enjoyed.
What are you reading right now?
Revival by Stephen King
What can we anticipate from you moving forward?
Well, with the trilogy now complete, I have been working on some prequal stories. I am hoping my next book: The Bridge of Souls will be out in October with the next one out in Spring next year. I would also like to create a book of short stories based on the ancient demon world of Pangea, but I haven't started that yet!
Do you have any movie or tv adaptations in the works?
No but I can see my stories on the screen one day.
Did you always want to be an author? If not, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I'm actually a teacher currently and that was a the career I always thought I would follow. Now that I have three published books, it is my dream to become a full time author! That would be amazing!
Where do you like to write? In a coffee shop? In your home office? On the beach?
I'm lucky enough to have a laptop so I'm quite happy to write anywhere.
What other hobbies do you have outside of writing?
I love to walk, my family live on the outskirts of the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex so I treat that as my adventure land. I also love gardening.
Are any of the characters in your book based on people in your real life? If so, can you tell us more about that process and how it influenced your writing?
No, not really. There are probably some traits which I have included but if I have, I've done in unconciously.