Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Myles Bevis
When did you start writing?
Aged 9. I self published my first book in 2013 when I was substantially older.
What makes writing your passion?
The enjoyment of living my imagination.
How long have you been writing?
Since age 9.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Absolute amazed delight.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
A lifetime's experience of people. I've been a salesman most of my life, one must be capable of reading peoples dreams and emotions and body language to be successful at this.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
Not being good enough!
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Painfully; but if I set my mind on the subject before sleeping at nights, it comes to me next morning... sometimes!
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
The urge to be successful and possibly suppliment my income a little--or a lot. Advice? Just keep at it and learn your trade.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Don't be influenced by your father's orders--they'll hold you back for years! Take writing courses
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes, every one. If it's a bad one, just move on. I'm a salesman--no such thing as bad publicity. Bad reviews could encourage someone to sample a book to see how accurate the review is. If they end up buying it... point proven! Also bad reviews are good, take note and work on the valuable advice retained.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Elation.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Variations of it, yes.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Most have a little of me in them, but possibly, at present, Eric Beemer.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
It's essential. It's the first stage of hooking a reader.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
Always pleased to chat. That's something that has to have time made for it.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Wonderful, but will it last! No-one recognises me in public--I'm old! It's great being old!
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Mark Dawson. He writes gripping novels with identifiable characters, and has worked hard at being an incredible success.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
Mark Dawson, although I don't think I'll ever be able to produce the volume he does.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Because the early one's were terrible but the ideas good.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I don't know any personally so that is unanswerable. I like being me. It's good, and I prefer it!
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Write your own books. Publish them and see how you feel when you're trolled.
What would you say to your readers?
I love you because liking my books means you like me. Thanks for taking the trouble to purchase my work and stay with it.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I'm old, divorced and extremely happily re-married. I do have children, three of them, but haven't seen them since my divorce 36 years ago. I live near Bridgnorth in Shropshire, one of the UKs most beautiful counties.
What is your day job if you have one?
Being retired, officially. Writing, editing and everything to do with getting my books read seven days a week, unofficially.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Not a lot now, health doesn't permit. I used to be good at engines, and have a natural aptitude in all things mechanical, including repairing my eldery clocks which I can still do, time permitting.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, extremely. Those were the days before social media. We roamed the countryside, scrumped apples, went fishing and although not permitted, frequently rowed up the wide river to a large lake. Yes! Fantastic!
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Thinking after reading a thrilling adventure aged nine... I could do that!
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
No, just ideas put aside for later, but I have un-published two. Science fiction fantasies.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Concentrate on real schooling. Less political correctness, less explicit sex education for kids not old enough to to undersand why male is different to female, not talk of gender swapping etc until they are old enough to understand it is not a fashion. What do we lack? Proper teachers who have substantiol experience of real life and business in the raw before being permitted acces to kid's formative minds; I'd suggest five years as a self-employed salesperson, with no access to any state benefits, would give all the necessary.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
To be fit. To be fit. To be fit!
What is your favorite music?
60s R and B and selected classical.
Share a secret with us 🙂
My secret? It is... never tell a secret to anyone--that's why it's secret!