***This week only! BOOK TOUR ***
06th November 2023
This week only, I've handed the reins over to fellow authors up and down the UK. They're asking me questions about my new book, 'I've Got A Pen and I'm Not Afraid To Use It: A Writing Companion' and, as you'll see from the answers, we've covered a lot!
Today, the questions were set by author Julia Stone. Julia is an author, an artist and a psychologist who writes psychological suspense: HER LITTLE SECRET, was published in 2021 by Orion Books; THE ACCIDENT in 2022. More information can be found at: linktr.ee/JuliaStone
Julia Stone: In a nutshell what is your book about?
SJ Banham: I believe the title says it all. ‘I’ve Got A Pen and I’m Not Afraid To Use It’ encourages, supports, and empowers writers, new and established. The book takes all the things I’ve learned and experienced over my career and condenses them into easy-to-read tips, anecdotes, and suggested solutions for challenges.
JS: It’s a great title and seems to sum the book up nicely! Tell us more about how you bring your experience to the subject. When did you discover your love of writing?
SJB: I think my drive, determination, and love of words has helped shape my passion for writing. I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, dabbling in everything from fan fiction to poetry, flash fiction to novels, non-fiction to ghost writing. School and I were not great bedfellows and life experience was probably the best teacher for me. I researched, read, taught myself what I needed to know about creative writing.
JS: You went on to do further academic study didn’t you?
SJB: Yes. It wasn’t until much later in life that I decided a degree would help my confidence, but by this time I had already written several novels, several non-fiction books, ghost written memoirs and copywritten for businesses. After graduating, I realised the one thing that remained constant throughout my career was my love of words and how to express them in different ways for different projects. The excitement I feel when I begin a new project is like nothing else and I’ve never felt that with any other job I’ve had.
JS: You refer to the book as a companion, what do you mean by this?
SJB: When we begin reading a novel, sometimes we get really involved, like the characters are our friends and we’re in each other’s lives. Our imaginations are sparked and we want more of it. That’s a novel, but wouldn’t it be great to have a non-fiction book to act as a friend that you can just meet up for a chat and have them answer your questions. That’s how I see this book. A companion you can go to when you need answers or reassurance with your project.
JS: So it’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of?
SJB: Absolutely.
JS: Who will benefit most from reading your book?
SJB: It was written primarily for those people who want to write but find all kinds of reasons not to. Sometimes this is about procrastination, other times it’s about wanting instant perfection, or maybe a lack of confidence. I want those and others to realise that perfection is subjective, and until they give it a go, they won’t know what they can achieve. Maybe their words will change their lives, or someone else’s life? This book is also a reminder for established writers too. When we fall in love with a new project, we tend to forget things along the way.
JS: I saw that you had any earlier edition – why did you update the text?
SJB: A decade ago, independent publishing was still finding its feet, but as time has gone on a huge amount has happened in the writing world, in both independent and traditional publishing. I’ve added suggestions and advice, lots of tips and writing exercises, plus information about the courses I run.
JS: Why is this type of book so helpful now?
SJB: This time of year, many writers both new and experienced might be considering participating in the international writing challenge of NaNoWriMo. I participated over 8 consecutive years which left me a life time of material that can be used for future projects. This book will highlight some ways of dealing with challenging stories or characters or ways forward with plot development. Also, with the festive season fast approaching, I wanted to ensure writers, new and experienced, had something in their stockings to open on Christmas morning 😊
JS: Where can I find more information or purchase a copy?
SJB: 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)
Visitors to my website will notice I offer several services too including coaching, ghost writing, copywriting, proofreading, editing, and courses. If visitors are focusing on the NaNoWriMo writing challenge they might like to know that I offer 3 types of writing coach services after they've finished: 12-week programme, 24-week programme, and a group style monthly coaching session. All of these can benefit writers with motivation, accountability, and regular check-ins for support. They can contact me through the site or through email at sarah@loveofbooks.co.uk
Big thanks to Julia Stone for these questions.
Today, the questions were set by author Julia Stone. Julia is an author, an artist and a psychologist who writes psychological suspense: HER LITTLE SECRET, was published in 2021 by Orion Books; THE ACCIDENT in 2022. More information can be found at: linktr.ee/JuliaStone
Julia Stone: In a nutshell what is your book about?
SJ Banham: I believe the title says it all. ‘I’ve Got A Pen and I’m Not Afraid To Use It’ encourages, supports, and empowers writers, new and established. The book takes all the things I’ve learned and experienced over my career and condenses them into easy-to-read tips, anecdotes, and suggested solutions for challenges.
JS: It’s a great title and seems to sum the book up nicely! Tell us more about how you bring your experience to the subject. When did you discover your love of writing?
SJB: I think my drive, determination, and love of words has helped shape my passion for writing. I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, dabbling in everything from fan fiction to poetry, flash fiction to novels, non-fiction to ghost writing. School and I were not great bedfellows and life experience was probably the best teacher for me. I researched, read, taught myself what I needed to know about creative writing.
JS: You went on to do further academic study didn’t you?
SJB: Yes. It wasn’t until much later in life that I decided a degree would help my confidence, but by this time I had already written several novels, several non-fiction books, ghost written memoirs and copywritten for businesses. After graduating, I realised the one thing that remained constant throughout my career was my love of words and how to express them in different ways for different projects. The excitement I feel when I begin a new project is like nothing else and I’ve never felt that with any other job I’ve had.
JS: You refer to the book as a companion, what do you mean by this?
SJB: When we begin reading a novel, sometimes we get really involved, like the characters are our friends and we’re in each other’s lives. Our imaginations are sparked and we want more of it. That’s a novel, but wouldn’t it be great to have a non-fiction book to act as a friend that you can just meet up for a chat and have them answer your questions. That’s how I see this book. A companion you can go to when you need answers or reassurance with your project.
JS: So it’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of?
SJB: Absolutely.
JS: Who will benefit most from reading your book?
SJB: It was written primarily for those people who want to write but find all kinds of reasons not to. Sometimes this is about procrastination, other times it’s about wanting instant perfection, or maybe a lack of confidence. I want those and others to realise that perfection is subjective, and until they give it a go, they won’t know what they can achieve. Maybe their words will change their lives, or someone else’s life? This book is also a reminder for established writers too. When we fall in love with a new project, we tend to forget things along the way.
JS: I saw that you had any earlier edition – why did you update the text?
SJB: A decade ago, independent publishing was still finding its feet, but as time has gone on a huge amount has happened in the writing world, in both independent and traditional publishing. I’ve added suggestions and advice, lots of tips and writing exercises, plus information about the courses I run.
JS: Why is this type of book so helpful now?
SJB: This time of year, many writers both new and experienced might be considering participating in the international writing challenge of NaNoWriMo. I participated over 8 consecutive years which left me a life time of material that can be used for future projects. This book will highlight some ways of dealing with challenging stories or characters or ways forward with plot development. Also, with the festive season fast approaching, I wanted to ensure writers, new and experienced, had something in their stockings to open on Christmas morning 😊
JS: Where can I find more information or purchase a copy?
SJB: 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)
Visitors to my website will notice I offer several services too including coaching, ghost writing, copywriting, proofreading, editing, and courses. If visitors are focusing on the NaNoWriMo writing challenge they might like to know that I offer 3 types of writing coach services after they've finished: 12-week programme, 24-week programme, and a group style monthly coaching session. All of these can benefit writers with motivation, accountability, and regular check-ins for support. They can contact me through the site or through email at sarah@loveofbooks.co.uk
Big thanks to Julia Stone for these questions.