"Journey Behind the Books: Unveiling the Writer's Odyssey"

​Discovering the Writer Within:
The precise moment when my love for storytelling first ignited remains elusive. It feels like it was always there, an intrinsic part of who I am. In the haze of childhood, books were my constant companions. By the age of seven or eight, I found myself in the throes of creation, fashioning an entire new world. I meticulously drew maps, charted roads and cities, even orchestrating weekly sports events, complete with a professional football league whose scores I dutifully safeguarded in an old Barclays Bank ledger. A notepad gifted by my mother marked the inception of a daily diary, a ritual she encouraged from ages ten to eleven. Aware of her reading it when I was at school, I skirted sharing intimate feelings, inadvertently training myself to tailor my words for different audiences.

Journalism and Unfinished Paths:
Post-university, I delved into the realm of journalism. Interning at the Derby Evening Telegraph and forging connections at The Sun marked my initial steps of this journey. Yet, the allure waned, disillusioning me with the cutthroat nature of the trade and the meagre rewards, especially evident unless one was in pursuit of paparazzi-worthy moments.

 The Spark of Creation:
My days were once woven with the fabric of education as a full-time teacher and leader in the United Kingdom. But within those walls, a sense of misplacement lingered. The turning point arrived during the spring midterm break of 2017, a seemingly ordinary day accompanying my two young children to the local library in our Cambridgeshire village, Sawtry. Amid the troves of published works, a spark ignited within me, a conviction that I could craft better stories myself. Julie Donaldson's rhyming tales captivated me, yet others just left me cold.
One fateful afternoon, as my wife took the children out, I sought solace in our garden, attempting to weave a rhyming children's story. My son's fascination with space, particularly the enigmatic dwarf planets and the Kuiper Belt, acted as my muse. In a burst of inspired creativity, "Peter and the Dwarf Planets" materialised in a mere fifteen minutes. Originally named after my son, Ruben, my wife's astute suggestion birthed the sturdy name "Peter," an homage to my best friend, lost too soon in 2009.
An artist already familiar to me, Laura Coppolaro, now a part of the Roald Dahl Company in Greenwich, London, lent her exceptional talent to the book. Her prototypes lent an ethereal, almost Petit Prince-like quality to the tale. With her collaboration, I dispatched the final copy. Olympia Publishers extended a traditional contract, and in August 2018, the story saw its birth in print.
As the ink dried, I embarked on my debut novel, "Made in Milan," back in Cambridgeshire, a personal undertaking serving as a balm amid my trials at work. Nevertheless, these trials burgeoned, fostering a sense of unwelcomed expulsion from my teaching post on the outskirts of Cambridge. The escalating friction culminated in an unjust confrontation during the Covid-19 lockdown. My written work, deliberately misinterpreted as "pornographic" by the headteacher, sparked turmoil. Resolute in proving the innocuous nature of my creation, I sought guidance from my union rep, ultimately leading to my decision to take a long sabbatical.
Six months of introspection and continued writing, coupled with dedicated online courses in Copywriting and Copy Editing, served as my tether during this horrendous period. As the chapters of my life unfolded, the reopening of schools and the persistent employer calls for my return prompted a firm decision— I resigned, promptly relocating with my family to the French Alps, my wife's native land, where I've since embraced French citizenship and continue to pursue my passion for writing.
The birth of "Falling Strong," Part Two of the Sweet Nightmares Trilogy, emerged from the frustrations and echoes of my own experiences. Through the character of Alice, I navigated the echoes of my own trials in England. Her intricate relationship with Nathan mirrors the complexities I've encountered, his struggle to comprehend a multifaceted woman akin to my own past relationships. The thematic inclusion of kidnapping finds roots in many 1980s TV series, while I was a kid at home watching. My final book in the trilogy, "The Dreams," assumes a more subconscious hue, an acceptance of my divergence from many within the teaching profession. It's an exploration of the dreamscape, where Alice encounters kindred spirits, ultimately confronting her chief adversary—herself—to seek redemption.

Navigating Genre and Literary Influences:
My creative compass is calibrated by an array of diverse influences, ranging from cult TV shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Black Mirror." Their seamless fusion of the surreal and reality across a shared time continuum has mesmerised me. In "Black Mirror," Charlie Brooker masterfully embodies the essence of dystopian sci-fi, a genre I find profoundly enthralling.
Don't mistake my appreciation for the classics—I'm a huge fan of the expansive Star Wars universe and the trailblazing journey of the original Star Trek with James T. Kirk, venturing where no man had gone before. Works like "Alien," alongside future space sci-fi wonders by Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick, have etched an indelible mark on my literary palate. More recent offerings, like Alfonso Cuarón's, have captivated me. However, what truly grabs my imagination within this genre is the prospect of near-future realities on Earth taking the spotlight. The mere prospect of setting a story a decade or two ahead ignites the mind, prompting speculations on future technologies, new societal norms, and pivotal geopolitical matters like disease control and climate change.
In all candour, the looming future appears rather grim. Conflict in Ukraine and the perpetual tumult emanating from Israel in response to provocation from neighbouring Islamist factions only scratch the surface. Greta Thunberg's once-resonant voice seems to be echoing in empty chambers. Amidst the persistent whispers of COVID-19, there are pockets of unvaccinated dissenters in France, fervently decrying a perceived conspiracy to microchip the populace. The growing apprehension about devices like my good friend Alexa spying on us and the encroaching age of AI adds to this increasingly dystopian backdrop.
This cacophony of societal turbulence serves as a compelling backdrop for the trials of my protagonist, Alice. Her journey navigates the harsh adversities that life hurls her way. She admirably confronts a myriad of tribulations, reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's Alice melded with the enigmatic ambiance of David Lynch's "Blue Velvet." Furthermore, my love of profound philosophical mysteries finds resonance in the works of Jostein Gaarder, a guiding influence in shaping, if not all of the trilogy, certainly "The Dreams."

Crafting Complex Characters:
The genesis of my principal character, Alice Scott, springs from a complex interplay within me—simultaneously dark and luminous. Alice embodies my alter ego, a character with whom I share an intricate connection despite our apparent differences. As a male, heterosexual individual, I find an unexpected resonance with every facet of Alice's being. Her remarkable femininity, charm, intelligence, education, and latent talent shine through, albeit initially lost in the labyrinth of her teenage memories. Her ordeal of abduction propels her into an unexpected descent, a fall that paradoxically amplifies her resilience, as the title "Falling Strong" implies. Stranded in the aftermath of her captivity, her escape—crafted with guile, stealth, and a reservoir of inner strength hitherto untapped—renders her free from physical harm. Yet, she finds herself akin to a caged bird, unable to reconnect with a husband who once held her heart. In the solace of her dreams, Alice finds her sanctuary. Loneliness, a companion throughout my life, has been a relentless spectre. I've weathered bullying, grappled with the weight of anxiety and depression, and even contemplated drastic measures —although that is a chapter closed in my book. In moments when I've sought solace, alcohol, recreational drugs, and insomnia have taken their turns, but in the realm of dreams, I've found a space to navigate, to take command—a theme central to shaping Alice's final odyssey, away from the tethers of the tangible world in the continuum of my trilogy. Ultimately, Alice's quest for redemption parallels my own journey.

Writing Process and Challenges:
My writing routine is far from straightforward. Co-owning a language services business with my wife in our mountain village limits the time I can devote to writing. Nonetheless, when I do write, I seek seclusion. Florence, my wife, graciously supports me with this. I retreat to an Airbnb for two or three days, creating an environment of tranquillity that shields me from the distractions of everyday life—children, pets, and other concerns. I approach my craft akin to a method actor, immersing myself in the world of my characters, yet this immersion creates its own challenges. After extended writing sessions, reacclimatising to reality becomes an arduous task. Unfinished stories haunt my thoughts, rendering sleep elusive, often leaving me in peculiar post-writing states when encountered by others.

Themes and Story Evolution:
Within the tapestry of my narratives, pivotal themes such as love, technology, and societal reflections intricately weave the essence of my stories. A romantic by nature, recent years have painted an emotional rollercoaster, a shared journey endured by my resilient partner and children. Amidst the upheavals—a move across borders during a pandemic and Brexit, largely fuelled by my mental health struggles and the trilogy of self-published books—I've remained a firm believer in romance. I yearn for a time when my books and my marriage alike will find solace in a brighter space.
The allure of technological speculation captivates my imagination. While my predictions for the USA triumphing in the rugby world cup might be a stretch, my confidence in weaving cutting-edge tech into stories set in the future remains unwavering. Being a keen observer of people, I draw inspiration from the intricacies of human interaction. Each character in my narratives is a composite, an amalgamation of individuals I've observed or encountered across my fifty years. As my trilogies have unfurled, my evolution as a writer has been synchronous. "Made in Milan" served as my prototype, a learning curve that shaped the exhilarating thriller "Falling Strong." "The Dreams," in my view, stands distinct from the traditional literary landscape—a delightful surprise for those daring enough to embrace something refreshingly new.

The Unravelling Future:
As I gaze into the future of my writing, I foresee a multitude of projects yet to unfurl. I currently find myself midway through crafting a second finale for Alice, potentially giving rise to a Book 4 and a Quadri-logy should it see completion. This new instalment delves deeper into a dystopian perspective, immersing itself in the realms of the dreamscape or metaverse, but with a definitive and very nice ending.
This journey has, in many ways, shaped my aspirations for future stories. While still nestled in alternate times or dimensions, I have a desire to write some much more uplifting narratives in future. Perhaps a creation akin to a "Sci-Fi Harry Potter" might emerge, charting a new course in my storytelling journey. You just never know!

Reflection and Gratitude:
Reflecting on the emotional and personal facets of my writer’s journey, I must confess, it’s a path I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. The process has been a profound teacher, highlighting that market forces often dictate the realm of publishing, overshadowing elements of book quality and originality. Talent is a valuable asset, yet it’s eclipsed if unseen. I often find myself emotionally drained after an intense writing session, making me a less-than-ideal companion during those times. However, it’s an uncontrollable part of who I am. Writing, I believe, isn’t something one simply becomes. It's a seed within, either present or absent, I reckon. My advice to aspiring writers is simple: Write. Pen down anything and everything—be it on your phone, computer, a scrap of paper, or a notepad by your bedside. Believe in yourself, take your time, and persist in knocking at the doors of publishers or agents. Self-publishing, I've learned, often favours individuals with robust egos and marketing skills, rather than sensitive, articulate authors and novelists.
And, at this juncture, I must acknowledge and extend heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support and patience from my wife, Florence. She remains a steadfast believer in my writing, even when my own hope falters.

​Conclusion:
As I conclude this initial entry into the realm of writers’ blogs, I wish to express my deep love and gratitude to the readers who've embraced my stories. To those who've taken the time to leave reviews on platforms like Amazon or Goodreads, I am profoundly humbled. With the fourth instalment of Alice's journey currently in the pipeline, I extend an invitation to readers to join me in this futuristic adventure in storytelling.
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