I’d like to thank Barbara for
inviting me to talk about myself, a subject my wife is always accusing me of.
Can’t think what she means.
I still remember
the very first book I ever read on my own because my older brother had just hit
me with it. Janet and John, book four. It took me a while to get through
because I was only six, but by the end of the first page I was hooked and it
didn’t take long before I got on to the adventures of Jennings, a series of real
boys books by Richmal Crompton. Billy Bunter soon followed and my reading life
was set. Throughout my childhood I must have read most of the gorgeous books
sold by Barbara and only wish I could read them again.
As I grew
older the wonder of new lives and worlds, at least while I was reading never
left me, and about twenty five years ago I wrote my very first novel. I thought
it was a wonder of the highest magnitude despite the beginning, middle and end being
in the wrong places. I even sent it off to a publisher who probably laughed
himself sick before sending it back covered with coffee stains and what looked suspiciously
like egg yolk.
Now, with
a market absolutely saturated with Indie writers like myself, the writing
almost takes second place to the marketing. But ultimately, and even if I don’t
sell a million copies and buy a Porsche, I’ll still write because that boyhood
enchantment with books has never left me.
My new
novel, The Book of Pain is a departure for me in that it’s a mixture of horror,
mystery and love. I’ve probably broken multiple rules there but it was
something I’ve been thinking about for years and had to get it out of my
system.
It can be found here:
It can be found here:
If you would like to connect with Roger, you can do so by visiting his very entertaining Three
Hoodies Save The World blog. Thank you for agreeing to talk about yourself Roger! I’m a fan of your work and hosting you was a pleasure.
Barbara.
And Janet And John, the books so many of us were brought up with, I still have fond memories of reading these at school.
ReplyDeleteGreat guest post Roger. With its mix of horror, mystery and love, I'll be sure to keep a look out for The Book Of Pain.
Even though J&J were quickly superseded, I'll never forget my first.
DeleteHope you get your Porsche Roger and I enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind of you. The Porsche is less important than selling books, although the idea of cruising the cote d'azur in a soft top still appeals.
DeleteI would like to thank Barbara for the chance to appear in her blog. I really enjoyed it. Today I discovered that Janet and john book in my loft. I think I'll read it again.
ReplyDeleteHello Roger, I’m a huge fan of your writing so hosting you was a real pleasure. I can’t resist Janet and John the artwork in them is just so evocative. Thanks for your visit, Barbara.
DeleteGood for you for following your dream, Roger. I wish you all the best of luck with your book.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'd love to be a Porsche owner but the writing will always come first.
DeleteI have one of Roger's books on my Kindle! I look forward to reading it. It was fun to learn more about him and his love for reading. I think it is wonderful that he is pursuing his dreams and doing what he loves. His latest work sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing and best of luck to Roger!
ReplyDeleteI’m sure you will enjoy it Stephanie. I’ve read Three Hoddies save the world, Kongomato and Spawn of Kongomato and enjoyed them all enormously. The book of pain is on my must-read list, and I hope to get to it soon. Thanks for calling in, Barbara.
DeleteI'll second Darlene. Keep following your dreams, Roger. Maybe the million copies and the Porsche will come our way. Maybe they won't. Even so, getting a story down and out will always be (one of) our proudest achievements. Always.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I finish a book I still get the same pleasure as the first. I hope I always will.
DeleteBARBARA (and Roger!) - I am late in visiting, and this read today is what I need to set my day off right. Roger, your post here is a delight to read; I can feel your humor and never lose that. I recently saw my favorite living poet at a book reading in one of our local bookshops, and he is known for his wry humor, and is one of the things that makes him America's most read poet: BILLY COLLINS. Never lose your true voice!
ReplyDeleteBarbara, how are you my friend? I hope the winter has not gripped your world as it has us....I so look forward to sunshine, but in the meantime, we are enjoying many good books on the weekends as we stay in and peruse our home library.
Many wishes to both of you in all your endeavors! Anita
DeleteDear Anita, it’s hard to imagine what it must be like for you right now. The news programmes are full of photographs and reports of just how cold it is. We’ve had a lot of rain and a light dusting of snow but nothing remotely like you have. Keep warm, stay inside as much as you can and wait for the spring, it can’t be far away.
Your trip to the bookshop sounds thrilling, how exciting to see someone you’ve long admired. Our local bookshop has the occasional author day, and I go along whenever I can.
Thank you for coming to visit Anita, it is always lovely to see you. Barbara xx
Good luck with the book sales Roger. I hope it's a success.
ReplyDeleteJean
x
You're very kind. Thank you.
DeleteRoger - I think the combination of a wild imagination and a weird sense of humour will take you a long way :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the marketing encroaches on the writing time, but never let it take over. I'd far rather that ten people read my book and absolutely loved it than thousands bought it just because it was flavour of the month, but didn't actually read it.
Unfortunately my wife is of the opinion that my imagination veers to the sick side.
DeleteAlways keep writing, Roger :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Why did your brother hit you with a book? :D
Hi Nikki-ann, now that is a good question. Roger, over to you. :-)
DeleteAll the best with the book sales!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds right up my alley. I must check it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visits and comments Editors At Work and thislifeinzen
DeleteGood luck with your new book and hope any 'pains' go away.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Eve.
DeleteThe market has become saturated but the good news is, there are a lot of readers looking for great reads to download to our Kindles, so keep putting out good books!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Stephanie, keep on writing Roger!
DeleteHa Ha Ha .. It is such a lovable and hilarious post .
ReplyDeleteAnd Hey Roger, a BIG welcome from my side to you and your book . You seem to be an expert on this topic of yourself :p
loved the way you so eloquently and hilariously described your (sort of) journey to become an Indie Author .. I have yet to visit the links given in the post but I am sure I am gonna loving it :)
Best wishes.
And thanks a ton Barbara for such a beautiful guest post :)
Dear Kokila, I promise you the pleasure was all mine! :-) I’m a big fan of Roger’s work, he is always a lot of fun.
DeleteSo fun to read about the books Roger read when young. It's so interesting to see what leads one into writing.
ReplyDelete