One month until we're normal .... or nothing like it!

It’s one month exactly until the release of my debut novel, and I am excited. Incredibly excited, but also very nervous. There have been a lot of metaphorical blood, sweat and tears and its nice that it is finally going to be out there for people to read.

I love to write, but until now, I have mostly been a script writer. I was a playwright for many years and more recently have been doing a lot of writing for film. A novel is something I always wanted to do, but it never happened. It is a big commitment to write a novel and then follow through and have it published. I did write a novel a few years ago, a supernatural Young Adult novel. People were interested, they weren’t, they wanted changes, they didn’t want changes. It was so hard and it kind of broke my heart, so I just left it behind. I loved that novel, but I just hated what it stood for in the end.

Then forward to the current novel. I had been thinking of the idea for a little while, story ideas had been brewing. I began writing ideas. I think I was nervous to begin. Then when I went to the US in 2019, I knew I was close to starting. In New York I was sitting in cafes writing notes and character ideas. By the time I reached LA, I knew I was ready. I love to walk when I’m on holidays, but that was when my hernia really started playing up; so I needed to take regular breaks when walking. My first morning in Hollywood, I went to a café on Hollywood Boulevard and I started writing. Over the next few days I would write whenever I stopped at a café, which is a lot. I began writing in a notebook, which I love to do. Then when I arrived back at LAX, I started to transcribe what I had written.

The cafe where I began writing in Hollywood

When I returned home, things got crazy again. I did some writing, and was loving the progress. Then COVID hit and we were all locked down. I was teaching from home and not leaving the house. It gave me the perfect chance to finish the novel. And finish it I did. I was loving sitting in my room, playing my favourite music and pouring my heart onto the page. It ended up being finished quicker than I thought it would happen.

I let my two best friends, Charlene and Jacinta, read it as I was writing and they were enjoying it. That made me feel good, though I always worry they are bias. Jacinta also helped me edit the book. I made the decision quickly I would self-publish. I didn’t want my heart broken again by the process of trying to get an agent and publisher. Plus, if it is published through them, there are no guarantees that the book will do any better. Anyone knows me knows that I am shameless self-promoter. I will be doing all I can to sell this book when it comes out.

The book is 16 short stories. I always think most people think of me as doing comedy, and while there is some comedy in there, these are dramatic stories. We always watch or read stories about people who are young, or in their 20s and 30s, then we get stories about old age. I want to tell stories of my age and the things that me and my friends go through. I have tried to be as honest as possible and show reality, and that is not always pretty. If people can relate to most of these stories, then I have done a good job. They are meant to be read and enjoyed and I hope that happens.

Head over to the book link on my page and see how you can pre-order the book now on either paperback or e-book. Or hit me up and pre-order through me. Happy to sign a copy of your book (paperback, don’t think I should sign your e-reader 😉.) You really should be able to pre-order through anyone who sells books.

I am nervous writing this, but so very ready. I hope you read, enjoy and tell me which of the stories is your favourite. I have my soft spot for a few characters and look forward to knowing yours.

Wayne

June 1, 2021