Hi Gareth, thank you for joining me today. Can you tell me about your book, No Chance and what inspired it?

My book “ No Chance”  is set in the 1980s and follows the fortunes of Will Evans in his pursuit of Ruby, a girl he has been infatuated with since University. Will leaves university thinking his chance of a romance with Ruby is over, until he receives a letter from his university friend Pete. Pete has organised a four week holiday, interrailing across Europe, and invites Will to come. Will discovers Ruby is one of the group going on the trip and he excitedly accepts the invitation, as it gives him four weeks to further pursue the woman of his dreams. During the next few weeks Will has to contend with awkward encounters, bad timings and a love rival Tom Bellows, not to mention a bad stomach in his endeavours. Travelling through twelve countries will the girl of his dreams finally succumb to Will’s wish of becoming his girlfriend.

What was your route to publication and what’s the one thing about the process you know now that you wished you’d known then?

I sent off my book to four publishers. I didn’t get an agent. I was offered a contact with all four publishers but some with a fee involved. I got the impression that only the last publisher “Blossom Spring Publishing,” actually read my book as the others were vague in their critique. I signed a contact and was excited to see my book in print. I wished I had looked at the contract more closely now because even though the paperback version on Amazon is priced at £10.75 I only get about 98 pence per copy, so I don’t think I’m going to be rich anytime soon. But that was never the intention, I just wanted to write a book that people would enjoy and keep reading to the end and I think I have achieved that. I was a bit surprised to find how difficult it is to get people to read my book. My sister-in-law for example is supposedly an avid reader but still has not got around to reading my book.

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any rituals?

I work part time so could only write on my days off. I would get up and walk the dog for an hour. I would then get myself a cup of coffee and sit down with my laptop and write for three to four hours a day depending on the weather. If it was horrible outside I tended to write better. I would usually have to stop late afternoon to make the tea for everyone, depending on who was around. The only ritual I suppose is walking the dog first before starting and a nice milky coffee to start with.

In your opinion, what are the essential elements that make a good story?

I think the essential elements that make for a good story are characters you can relate to. I like to focus on insecurities, awkwardness and the unusual situations people find themselves in. I like to write about places people may not have had the chance to visit too.

How do you approach the writing process from idea to first draft, to edits to final draft?

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