The Green Wizard was invited to join in with 'My Next Big Thing' (started by Andy Duncan, author of The Badger-Boy Brouhaha)by his sorceror's apprentice and dear friend, Ngaire Victoria Elder, who writes cutting edge illustrated children's stories and is currently working on her third book somewhere in deepest Spain. Near a big mountain.
http://adventuresofceciliaspark.blogspot.co.uk/
Now, for me, the next big thing is er, not writing a book for about six months as I'm bolloxed. So bear that in mind when you read this.
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What is the working title of your book?
Currently not writing a new book until I've sold a few of the six I've already written. You can find all six to your right as you look. Click on them if you fancy a further look on Amazon.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I wrote six books in just over three and a half years, including five in a year and I think the world has seen enough of my work so far. I need to recharge my batteries. I get my ideas mostly when running.
What genre does your book fall under
I write fiction novels. Pure and simple. They have no genre. Genres erect illusory and limiting boundaries between authors and provide a dumbed-down, one-dimensional landscape for the reader. If you just read romance, YA, or erotica, then it is likely that you and I have little to say to each other and I wish you all the best.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
I wrote the first draft of my 60k football hooligan novel "Ultra Violence" in 18 days. I wrote the majority of "Carla", my best reviewed book, over a weekend in late April 2012. Professional writers should be able to do this. Literature is full of similar stories. The 2.5k per day grinders are okay, but I need inspiration and a free playing field. I need to fly.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Lots of different ones.
Who or What inspired you to write this book
The knowledge that I was rapidly becoming unemployable in the modern gel haired, crocodile skin loafer, hundred and thirty pound per tie minor professional labour market was a major influence in my decision to form Green Wizard and write the six books.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
If readers enjoy innovation, being challenged, old fashioned writing - with prologues, purple descriptions, necessary exposition and a complete lack of trendy but boring Chucky P influenced skeleton writing - then they will like Green Wizard. My books are generally well reviewed. Readers in Nottingham and Southwell are well catered for.
And now, I'll pass the baton to 3 writers who kindly agreed to participate in the blog-chain ... stay tuned to read about their Next Big Thing.
Mary Ann Bernal - www,maryannbernal.com
Brenda Perlin - http://www.homewreckerthebook.com/
Bathsheba Dailey - http://newbeginnings-bathsheba.blogspot.co.uk/
Mark Barry - http://greenwizardcarla.blogspot.co.uk/
Good luck everyone!
"Who in their right mind wouldn't want to read a book by Mark Barry!" (Mary Quallo, St Louis)
Coming next week - Carla Eatherington
As always, Mark, you are thoroghly entertaining. I've picked up some of your books, but I'm crossing my fingers for the release of your autobiography :).
ReplyDeleteToi
You know, technically, YA isn't a genre :P
ReplyDelete"Professional writers should be able to do this." Write a book in a weekend? Might want to tell George R R Martin that :)
Thank you, Toi! Very tongue in cheek here! And I've a terrible head cold and you know how that affects men! :-)
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Xan! I wrote one overflowing paragraph just for you, tbough I'm surprised at your comment. Is YA not a genre? Is it just a category? Can you link me to one of your articles!
I didn't know George Martin wrote books? I thought he produced The Beatles...:-)
YA is a category that encompasses all the regular genres from contemporary to high fantasy. It's purely an age gauge just as MG (middle grade) and children's is. I don't have an article on this but I'm sure google will bring up tons.
ReplyDeleteGeorge R R Martin is one of the most successful fantasy writers of the century. Wrote the brilliant if somewhat verbose A Song of Ice and Fire series now on HBO as the epic/brilliant/stupendous/bloody marvelous series Game of Thrones.
I've read all your titles and found them entertaining and recommend them all. Good luck with sales.
ReplyDelete