NK Chats To… Gareth Alun Thomas

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?

I was lucky in this respect as I had a diary I had kept when I went interrailing in the 1980s. I used this as a template to write a story around, so all the journeys and places visited were genuine. I just had to make up a story as the diary was a bit tedious!

What’s your favourite word and why?

My favourite word was maybe. I used it a lot and I like it because it offers an opening to another scenario.

If you were putting together a playlist for your novel, which songs would you pick?

The book is focussed around Will’s love of music and his obsession with The Smiths though Ruby tries to teach him to listen to other genres of music, for example Carole King, so I think the soundtrack would be cantered around those two artists, plus of course George Michael and “Careless Whispers,” the track that first brought Will and Ruby together.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when writing your book? What were the best moments?

The biggest challenge was padding out the very slim diary which I was using as a template into a book. When I sat down I didn’t really know where the story was going, the words and story just seemed to come as I wrote. A friend told me  I was lucky to have the luxury of time to write. I enjoyed writing the toilet scene in Istanbul. Although it might not be to everyone’s taste it was making my laugh as I wrote it.

Any advice to overcome writers’ block? 

I had good and bad days with the writing. I think it is important to step away from the book when it isn’t flowing. I loved walking my dog again in the afternoon if I was struggling as it focussed my mind and I came up with most of my ideas dog walking. Also don’t try and write after a few glasses of red wine. I tried it once and what I had written was not good.

Which fictional world would you like to visit, and which character would you like to meet?

I would like to visit Darrowby, the fictional village created by James Herriot and would love to  meet James Herriot and listen to all his fascinating stories centred around the veterinary practise featured in “ All creatures great and small.”

Quick Fire Round – Would You Rather – 

See the future or visit past?

Definitely visit the past to rectify some of my mistakes, embarrassing moments and my bad decisions.

Sing or dance to your favourite song to the rest of your life?

Definitely dance as my singing voice is terrible but it would have to be Dad dancing, preferably behind a closed door.

Have power or money?

Would have to be power to be able to right all the injustice in the world.

Would you rather have magical powers here on earth or live in a magical place without powers?

I would like magical powers here on earth to help with all the mundane things in life, like cleaning and supermarket shopping.

Would you rather have the ability to communicate telepathically or know every single language on the planet?

I would like to speak every language. I work in a laboratory which is multi-cultural. I would love to surprise my colleagues by speaking their first language.

Be able to have a one-minute conversation with your past self or future self?

I would like to have a one minute conversation with my past self. I would tell myself to do what you want to do not what others want and to not to worry what people think of you. And have self-belief. Back yourself.

Live in a world where it is constantly snowing or always raining?

I think I would rather live in a world where it is constantly raining as at least it is warmer and does not disrupt day to day activities too much.

Live in a world without music or movies?

I think I would pick music over movies as I listen to music nearly every day.

Take part in a dating show or a survival show?

I would rather go on a dating show than a survival show as I love my creature comforts too much.

About Gareth Alun Thomas –

Gareth Alun Thomas was born in Dinas Powys, just outside Cardiff but now lives in Blackwood in the Welsh Valleys. He has worked for over 34 years for the NHS as a Biomedical Scientist and has recently retired but returned to work part time. Working less hours, Gareth finally had time to write his first novel, No Chance, something he always wanted to do.

When his parents passed away Gareth and his brothers had to clear their house and came across old diaries he had written when he travelling with 5 friends across Europe on an interrail ticket. Using this diary as a template, Gareth finally wrote and completed his first novel, No Chance.

Gareth has been happily married to Amanda for over 30 years and they have 3 children 2 girls and a boy.

In his spare time Gareth enjoys walking the dog, travelling and playing the guitar as well as cooking for the family.

Say hello via Facebook, X and Instagram. 

About No Chance – 

A romantic comedy of missed chances, awkward encounters, and one unforgettable trip across Europe.

In the summer of 1985, Will Evans sets off interrailing with one goal: win the heart of Ruby, the girl he’s been hopelessly in love with since university. But with bad timing, bad jokes and a rival named Tom Bellows, Will’s chances are slim. As they journey through cities, cultures and chaos,

Will must navigate more than train timetables – like growing up, letting go and learning what love really means.  Funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, No Chance is a nostalgic coming-of -age story for anyone who has ever loved too hard, too soon.

Click to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.