Musings of an Aspiring (Male) Romantic Writer

Mick Arnold

We’re happy to welcome Mick Arnold to his very own column, Mick’s Musings.

I suppose you could trace my writing aspirations back to Christmas 2010 when my wife had just finished reading what I generically termed a ‘Chick-lit’ book and insisted that I must read it and kept on persuading me until I relented. Two days and not much in the way of sleep later and I’d finished. Then I read it again; and again and after another two days, I woke up with this idea for a story in my head. I recall that I was reminded that I hadn’t eaten ten hours and about thirty (probably unreadable) pages of A4 later.

Annie Sanders; ladies, you have a lot to answer for. Prior to this book, I was likely an a typical male reader. You know the stuff. Science-fiction, fantasy. I still read Terry Pratchett, so I can still claim a degree of expected male testosterone, but now my shelves show a majority of Carole Matthews, Trisha Ashley and Miranda Dickinson alongside Mr Pratchett. So perhaps, in hindsight, it’s not that surprising that I write in the genre I do. Whether these books are responsible for the reputation I have as the romantic one in our marriage or not, I have no idea? But they are a continued inspiration which I think is no bad thing.

After finally finishing my first novel, I was fortunate enough to join the Romantic Novelists Association in 2013. Did I know what I’d let myself in for? Of course not, but I don’t think that’s anything to do with my gender. I’m facing the same challenges as all the other authors (please forgive the slip, I’m not published yet, so therefore not an author yet) who’re trying to become published. Perhaps without the thought that goes into the choice of shoes though?

Would I be a saner person without all the writing? Certainly. Would I be happier? Certainly not. I’ve met a lot of nice people since I started writing and made some good friends too. We all find it hard at times to knuckle down and write. After all, isn’t it easier to just settle down with a good glass of wine and put on a favourite old movie? An Affair to Remember comes to mind. Of course it is, but that’s the challenge, if not the fun.

I finish for now by addressing those amongst you reading this who are also aspiring writers. I hope you enjoy today as much as you did yesterday, but not as much as you will tomorrow.

Every fortnight, Mick will be chatting about his experience as a male author in the romantic genre.  Mick is a forty-something member of the Romantic Novelists Association, New Writers Scheme. He lives in Northamptonshire and is the proud keeper of a cat bent on world domination.When he’s not trying to write books, Mick has a deep-seated love of reading that he’s brought from his teens to the current day with no signs of waning. He’s also mad on the music of the Beach Boys and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United supporting wife. Mick can be followed on Twitter 

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.