Today I have the always wonderful Sue Moorcroft guest interviewing M.W. Arnold, a debut author and member of #TeamMoorcroft on The Season For Love blog tour. Over to you....
How does it feel to be joining the ranks of the traditionally published authors? How long have you wanted this?
For a 'supposed' author, I'm actually lost for words and until it's actually released, I guess you could say that I'm still waiting for it to all fall through. I can't tell you how many of my writing friends have told me not to be so silly when I say that. Actually, it's really not something I thought would happen so soon. I only joined the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writer's Scheme in 2013 after starting to write semi-seriously the previous year, so I've only thought about getting published since around that time.
Tell us something about The Season for Love.
'The Season for Love' is actually the second book I've finished and, so far, the only one where the last paragraph was the first thing I'd written. That's as far as the planning or it went, I'm not a 'Planster' I'm afraid to say. I've tried it since, and for this one too, but it only goes as far as jotting notes on the bottom of the page I'm writing as they come to me, though only about say, 40% of the time do they actually make the story. I expect I could get a sequel out of the notes I have stored away for this book.
What made you choose to write romantic fiction?
I'm a huge fan of the late and very great Terry Pratchett, but my Lady Wife read 'The Xmas Factor' by Annie Sanders and she insisted I read it, now. So, and more to humour her I have to admit, I did...in one sitting. Then read again. The morning after that second reading, I felt the need to write. I had no idea what I was going to write, just that I had to write. I was finally pulled from my old laptop late the same evening and I'd the start of what would be my first book. That's unpubished, and I now know why, though I would like to come back to it as the story is good, but by gum, the writing needs improvement. That was in this genre because of that book I'd read, and since then, this has been my genre of choice. It helps that I really am an old-fashioned romantic. I like to think I've found my calling.
Where can readers buy your book?
I've been lucky and 'The Season for Love' is being released on both sides of the Atlantic on the same day, December 16th. It's available on Amazon, Kobo, Nook, Smashwords, Bookstrand and the Passion in Print (the publishing house I'm signed with for this book) website. And seeing as you were so kind to ask, here are the links:
Amazon US - tinyurl.com/ya88xjn3
Amazon UK - tinyurl.com/y9a3jzft
Barnes & Noble - tinyurl.com/yaqhy3lp
Bookstrand - tinyurl.com/yaddlwfv
Smashwords - tinyurl.com/yarnr484
Kobo US - tinyurl.com/ycvage9b
Kobo UK - tinyurl.com/ydb9em2x
What jobs have you had apart from 'author'?
For the first fifteen years of my working life, I worked for Her Majesty, Queen Elisabeth II. That sounds very impressive, doesn't it? It's not quite so much when I elaborate. I was actually in the Royal Air Force, so it counts. Nothing so fancy as a pilot, I was office staff, but I did serve on flying squadrons and saw quite a lot of the world, which was kind of the point as I wanted to travel.
Do you have a day job now?
After leaving the RAF, I started working with computers and that's what I do now. It pays the bills, so far, though I'd be fibbing if I didn't say I'd love to be able to earn my livng writing.
Have you told your day job colleagues about The Season for Love?
Yep. They all know and after getting their heads around the genre I've chosen to write in, have all been very supportive. One of them was actually a beta reader for this book and says it's encouraged them to write (not that they have yet), so that's good.
Do you have much time for reading? What do you read?
I don't have as much time for reading now as I did before I started writing, though I do try to read at least during my lunch break, it helps to clear the mind for an afternoons work. When I do read, it's very much in the Romance genre. It won't come as a surprise to those of you reading this that I'm a big fan of Sue's books and consider her very much a benchmark I'd like to aspire to attaining. Whenever I feel the need for a break from romance though, I always go back to Mr Pratchett, with a sideways trip into the Harry Potters too.
Is there another M. W. Arnold book coming along any time soon?
Currently, I'm finishing off 'Knicker Shopper Glory', which I expect to start sending out in the hope of getting a publishing deal for that in the New Year. So, yes, if anyone's out there, read's 'The Season for Love' you know where to find me. Whatever happens, I am determined to get that second deal as soon as possible.
Thank you so much Sue and M.W. Arnold for this enlightening interview. I am very much hoping that "Knicker Shopper Glory" really is the your next title as it keeps making me smile!
Believing she was responsible for the death of her husband,
Chrissie Stewart retreats from all those who love her. A chance meeting with
mysterious stranger, single-parent Josh Morgan and his bewitching young
daughter Lizzy, breathe new life into her and gradually, she feels able to
start to let go of the memory of her lost love. Unexpected links are revealed
between the two families that strengthen the growing bonds she feels to this
man and with the encouragement of her best friend Annie, herself hiding a
hidden conflict from Chrissie, she battles with her demons to believe in her
ability to trust and love again. Everything comes to a head on Christmas Day;
which all goes to show that this is truly The Season for Love.
Author Bio – Mick
is a hopeless romantic who was born in England, and spent fifteen years roaming
around the world in the pay of HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force,
before putting down roots, and realising how much he missed the travel. This,
he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and writing
a regular post at the www.NovelKicks.co.uk
blog site.
He’s the proud keeper of a cat bent on world
domination, is mad on the music of the Beach Boys and enjoys the theatre and
humouring his Manchester United supporting wife. Finally, and most importantly,
Mick’s a member of the Romantic Novelists Association, with the forthcoming
publication of his debut novel The Season
for Love.
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mick859
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MWArnoldAuthor/
About Sue Moorcroft - Award-winning author Sue Moorcroft writes contemporary women’s fiction with occasionally unexpected themes. She’s won a Readers’ Best Romantic Read Award and been nominated for others, including a ‘RoNA’ (Romantic Novel Award). Sue’s a Katie Fforde Bursary Award winner, a past vice chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and editor of its two anthologies.
She also writes short stories, serials, articles, writing ‘how to’ and is a creative writing tutor.
The daughter of two soldiers, Sue was born in Germany and went on to spend much of her childhood in Malta and Cyprus. She likes reading, Zumba, FitStep, yoga, and watching Formula 1.
Take a look at the rest of the blog tour being organised by my alter ego Rachel's Random Resources
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