Today, we are interviewing Andrew R Williams, an author and novelist. He has recently published, Arcadia’s Children 3: Pushley’s Escape. This is the third novel in the Arcadia’s Children Series. The other two are Arcadia’s Children: Samantha’s Revenge and Arcadia’s Children 2:The Fyfield Plantation.
What does your typical writing day look like?
I don’t think there is a typical writing day. At the time of writing, I am still working as a Chartered Surveyor / Home Inspector. I have to fit my writing in when I can. I like doing a long stint on Saturdays and Sundays. Writing is my hobby; the weekend is a time to indulge oneself.
During the coronavirus epidemic, surveying came to an abrupt halt. While everyone else was lamenting about “lockdown,” I took full advantage and completed Arcadia’s Children 3: Pushley’s Escape.
Now that “lockdown” coming to an end, I try to have a writing session in the early morning and then one in the evening.
What was your inspiration for Arcadia’s Children 3?
Arcadia’s Children 1 & 2. It has become a Saga.
What are your takeaways for Arcadia’s Children 3?
When writing the Arcadia’s Children saga, I worked on the snooker principal that the cue ball has to be left in a position to tee off again. In other words, I try to leave a cliff -hanger to lead from one book to the next.
How long did it take you to write the book?
Arcadia’s Children: Pushley’s Escape took me around twelve weeks to write.
What do you believe are the hallmarks of a successful writer?
What’s a successful writer? If I knew I’d tell you.
If you want to write you have to believe in yourself. The “knockers” will always try to drag you down to their level. Their level is ground zero.
The “knockers” inhabit most areas of life. The obese couch potato can always tell a sports coach how to do his job. The couch potato is also happy to lambast very fit players for their “lack of performance.”
The “knockers” don’t want you to succeed because they see your success as their failure.
At one time, my mother was my biggest “knocker.”
“You’ll never write anything; you’ve no imagination.”
I hope I’ve proven her wrong.
What tips would you offer struggling, aspiring writers?
Don’t give up. Try to write something every day. Eventually, you will come up with the idea that will take off. When you do, the concept will take over. The characters will start dictating their story. You will no longer be in control. You will be unable to stop.
Don’t throw anything away. The old movie scene where the writer pulls the paper out of the typewriter and bins it is no longer applicable. Save an idea. Ideas are what books are made from. Ten weeks from now, you may be able to use the discarded thought. The modern writer has a word processor to help them on their way.
Sometimes it helps to give a character a sex change. Sometimes swapping sex can make a character more believable. A tap of the keyboard can change Mary to Manny.
If you are writing sci-fi/fantasy, you could also turn the role into a humanoid or an animal.
If you are writing sci-fi, you can always invent a technology to suit the plot. In the Arcadia’s Children series, I created the “whisper probe,” the Mannheim shield, and several nasty monsters.
How many hours a week do you write?
It varies, but I try to write for ten hours a week.
Do you plan your novels ahead of time, or do you just sit down and write? In other words, are you a planner or a pantster?
With Arcadia’s series, I know approximately how each book will end, but books evolve. I tend to start in the middle and work out. Eventually, a storyline hardens and leads me towards the end.
What are your future writing projects?
I am vaguely toying with a “Jim’s Revenge 2” and more Arcadia’s Children. I am currently working on Arcadia’s Children 4: Midway (that’s a working title at the moment)
How can potential readers get in touch with you?
I have a visitor’s section on my Arcadia’s Children website www.arcadiaschildren.com.
Where can potential readers buy your book?
All my books are available on Amazon.
Thank you for answering these questions. I can’t wait to read your next book.