About Wallace Briggs:
Wallace Briggs (1943 – present). I happily married to Pat, who I first met at the age of eleven – for over 50 years
My formative years were experienced in and around Durham, never living more than 5ml distance from the Cathedral. Married in 1964, Pat and I spent many happy years in the North East of England before employment almost took us off to emigrate to Jo'berg, South Africa. But plans were changed in the final weeks, and instead, the company moved me to Sussex.
After more than twenty years in Sussex, then Hampshire, employment was again responsible for moving to beautiful rural Lancashire, where we still reside. I am now retired from a long career in sales and marketing of technical products in the UK and international markets.
After many years of seeking a publisher for my first children's story, "The Magical Adventures of Jimmy Crikey", it was self-published on Amazon.
Jimmy Crikey was born one rainy day during a family holiday in Great Yarmouth to entertain my son and his newfound friends for an hour or so. The story expanded over the following damp afternoons in the cramped confines of a beach tent, and more and more adventures were required to keep the children entertained.
I am looking forward to sharing the adventures of Jimmy Crikey with a broader audience in the hope that they will bring a sense of wonder and enjoyment to another generation.
What inspires you to write?
The wonderment on the faces of children enjoying my stories is all the inspiration I need.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
My favourite adult authors are Tolkein and Rowling followed by Wilbur Smith and then a plethora of adventure writers of the ilk of Pattinson, Brown, Baldacci, K Slaughter, etc
In children’s literature: Rowling is the greatest living author but the top of my list would be Enid Blighton followed by the Rupert Bear stories in verse.
Enid Blighton’s Magic Far Away Tree brought enchantment to both my sons and I so wished that I could entertain in the same way.
Tell us about your writing process.
I pick up a pen (or open a file on the laptop) and go where my thoughts take me. Sometimes my mind is a blank, and other times my fingers cannot keep pace with the flow of the story. I rarely know what direction the plot will take until it's written.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I try hard to listen to what the character says, not to put my words in his/her mouth.
What advice would you give other writers?
I don't feel qualified to advise other writers – other than to develop a thick skin and never stop trying. There are mountains to scale before you can reach the promised land. You may never reach it but there's some fantastic scenery to take in on the way.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I don't know what the mathematics is but I guess only 1 in 100,000, or even 200,000, eventually find a mainstream publisher. But I am still trying to find one because it makes a terrific difference to have professional editing, marketing, and distribution team. In the meanwhile, self-publishing (Amazon/Kindle) is a good alternative, but, unless you buy the expertise, the self-marketing and promotion is time-consuming and hard work. I had limited success with a hybrid (WEB based) publisher but there was still a great reliance on self-promotion.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I believe the future of books may be safe for another generation but the children of today may be more comfortable with e books than previous generations. I am informed that audio books are the fastest growing market sector. My preference is for hard copy in my hand.
What genres do you write?: Middle grade and YA fantasy
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Wallace Briggs Home Page Link
Link To Wallace Briggs Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Facebook
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
