This Week Only! ***BOOK TOUR***
09th November 2023
From 6-10 Nov ‘23, I’m taking ‘I’ve Got A Pen and I’m Not Afraid To Use It: A Writing Companion’ on a mini online book tour! I’ll be answering questions posed by authors across the UK.
Today’s Q&A is with Rosie Sandler. Rosie is the author of several books including the recent Seeds of Murder published by Embla Books.
Rosie Sandler: What drives you to write?
SJ Banham: That’s an interesting question. I’m compelled to express myself through the medium of words and, when possible, the creation of a book. I love to create characters and situations, but I also really enjoy creating factual content too. I enjoy words, their origins, and how they evolve, and their meanings, so using them to express myself makes perfect sense. So, I suppose the answer is, an intense enjoyment and need for expression.
RS: You write in many genres, in both fiction and nonfiction. Do you have a preferred genre?
SJB: Though it largely depends on the subject, fiction is my preferred. That said, after I’ve completed a novel, I tend to turn to non-fiction because I suspect it helps me process the novel. After I’ve written a non-fiction book, I generally have the urge to write fiction again.
It’s the same when I read. Currently I have several books on the go and in different formats. I’m listening to a novel, I’m ready a non-fiction paperback, and I’m teasing myself with a hardback novel too.
RS: Do you have a particular reader in mind for each genre?
SJB: Not really. While I generally write to publish, I really only ever write something that I enjoy. While I might be a middle-aged woman, I still have the mind of a teenager and my interests are wildly diverse, so having a particular reader in mind means, to me, something that would appeal to a wide audience. That said, during the writing process, I become increasingly aware who the audience is, which makes it easier to market when that stage presents itself.
RS: Do you find it beneficial to share your writing with others, for feedback (for instance, in a writing group)?
SJB: I have done in the past. Nowadays, however, I rely on beta readers for feedback because they are specifically cherry-picked for that novel. I have accumulated several over the years and I tend to chop and change the amount I choose for each book. This means that I won’t be choosing the same people every time which gives me a better, more effective, feedback process.
RS: What do you do when you’re stuck for inspiration?
SJB: I mostly rest, sleep, meditate, walk in nature, watch movies, that kind of thing. It is rare that I’m every stuck for an idea, but if I am it will be because I’m exhausted. I’ve learned over time that you cannot pour from an empty cup, so self-care is vital.
RS: What one piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to write their first book but doesn’t know where/how to start?
SJB: My one piece of advice would be to suggest they ‘empty their head’ and see what comes out. Shaping the story and editing can take place later, but writing down everything they have floating around in their mind would be the most beneficial activity because once it’s out you can think clearly.
Big thanks to Rosie for these questions. 'I've Got A Pen and I’m Not Afraid To Use It – A Writing Companion is available through www.loveofbooks.co.uk or Amazon (Click here)
Today’s Q&A is with Rosie Sandler. Rosie is the author of several books including the recent Seeds of Murder published by Embla Books.
Rosie Sandler: What drives you to write?
SJ Banham: That’s an interesting question. I’m compelled to express myself through the medium of words and, when possible, the creation of a book. I love to create characters and situations, but I also really enjoy creating factual content too. I enjoy words, their origins, and how they evolve, and their meanings, so using them to express myself makes perfect sense. So, I suppose the answer is, an intense enjoyment and need for expression.
RS: You write in many genres, in both fiction and nonfiction. Do you have a preferred genre?
SJB: Though it largely depends on the subject, fiction is my preferred. That said, after I’ve completed a novel, I tend to turn to non-fiction because I suspect it helps me process the novel. After I’ve written a non-fiction book, I generally have the urge to write fiction again.
It’s the same when I read. Currently I have several books on the go and in different formats. I’m listening to a novel, I’m ready a non-fiction paperback, and I’m teasing myself with a hardback novel too.
RS: Do you have a particular reader in mind for each genre?
SJB: Not really. While I generally write to publish, I really only ever write something that I enjoy. While I might be a middle-aged woman, I still have the mind of a teenager and my interests are wildly diverse, so having a particular reader in mind means, to me, something that would appeal to a wide audience. That said, during the writing process, I become increasingly aware who the audience is, which makes it easier to market when that stage presents itself.
RS: Do you find it beneficial to share your writing with others, for feedback (for instance, in a writing group)?
SJB: I have done in the past. Nowadays, however, I rely on beta readers for feedback because they are specifically cherry-picked for that novel. I have accumulated several over the years and I tend to chop and change the amount I choose for each book. This means that I won’t be choosing the same people every time which gives me a better, more effective, feedback process.
RS: What do you do when you’re stuck for inspiration?
SJB: I mostly rest, sleep, meditate, walk in nature, watch movies, that kind of thing. It is rare that I’m every stuck for an idea, but if I am it will be because I’m exhausted. I’ve learned over time that you cannot pour from an empty cup, so self-care is vital.
RS: What one piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to write their first book but doesn’t know where/how to start?
SJB: My one piece of advice would be to suggest they ‘empty their head’ and see what comes out. Shaping the story and editing can take place later, but writing down everything they have floating around in their mind would be the most beneficial activity because once it’s out you can think clearly.
Big thanks to Rosie for these questions. 'I've Got A Pen and I’m Not Afraid To Use It – A Writing Companion is available through www.loveofbooks.co.uk or Amazon (Click here)