Meet the authors contest edition Volume #1

@Velfman

winner from: The novel contest 2019

Did not expect to get anywhere in the Novel contest So I was surprised to be a winner. The concept of Snowblind is rather cliche, but the judges seemed to appreciate that. It's been a lovely confidence boost.

1 what's one Wattpad goal?

Producing as much quality content as I can so I can hone my craft. I've been on Wattpad a year and just launched my third original work.

2 if you could gain advice from your favorite author, who would you choose and what would you ask?

I love Robin Hobb, I'd pester her on world-building techniques and her writing process for series set within the same world.

3 what's your favorite thing about Wattpad?

Connecting with other writers. I've interacted with so many supportive people. It's also far easier for me to use than other platforms.

4 what's your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas. Always has been. Not for the presents (though that is nice) but for the whole aura of togetherness at a bleak time of year. Especially in Scotland, it's usually cold, rainy and the days are short. Christmas in all it's neon and tinsel glory really shines and cheers me up.

5 if you could hang out with your favorite celeb for a day, who would you choose and what would you do?

I'm a bit of a hermit as far as the entertainment world goes but I admire singers. I'd like to pick Ed Shereen's brains about his lyrics and how he puts his songs together. Would not do anything special, I'm at the age where I want to make young men cake and pat them on the head. I have sons, I can't help it.

6 what's a song you enjoy? Who is the artist?

I listen to a bit of everything. I have playlists on youtube sorted by emotion and tempo. Hey, don't judge me, I don't want to be listening to Galway Girl when I am writing a battle scene, or Alice Cooper when I'm writing romance.

7 what's your schedule regarding your writing?

Taking part in the Open novella Contest really kicked my writing habit up a gear. I had already blasted my way through several NaNoWriMos but plotting, constructing, editing and posting something with a three-month deadline was tough. Did it, however, and got shortlisted, which was awesome, but the main benefit was my process. The contest firmed things up for me and now I aim for 500 words every day. Might not sound like much but it is achievable, even on a day I feel like not writing. Usually, I go well over my word goal and it all mounts up.

8 what's your dream vacation?

I had the good fortune of going to Japan not long after I got married. I would love to go back. I've never felt so deliciously foreign. I would get lost and take random trams just to see where I would go and what would happen. Such a beautiful country and friendly people.

9 what's a good piece of advice for a newcomer?

Read a lot, write a lot. That's it. Writing really is one of those things you get better at by doing. You can't fix a thing if there are no words on the page. Even if what you have makes you cringe, it can all be fixed later, provided you are willing to put in the work.

10 what's your favorite snack?

Almonds- roasted and salted.

11 what's your favorite movie?

Return of the Jedi. I have no excuse; I just love it.

Request time!

I'm going to put forward one of my newer but complete books, Atheist's Angel. It's a unique take on angels with adventure, sarcasm and a good dose of romance. I launched the sequel, Shadow's Checkmate last week.