My Journey to Becoming a Writer

I never imagined myself as a writer, let alone one whose work others might enjoy reading. I am totally gobsmacked that when I sit down to write, the words seem to flow from my pen without me even thinking about it. Being able to call myself an author is a cathartic experience, and only now, after three years and five pieces of work, am I coming to terms with the fact that I am, indeed, an author.

Actually sitting down to write, reviewing what I have written, and making changes to the original text gives me a fantastic buzz and enormous pleasure. It is something that seems to have been latent in me for a long time, and it is wonderful to bring these feelings to fruition.

Since beginning this journey in 2020, I have been so lucky to have met amazing friends who have guided me along the path to what I am convinced is success. The initial spur given to me by Susan Cohen from the Wee Book Company and her putting me in touch with the fantastic Mary Turner Thomson was surely written in the stars. My connection with the incredibly talented Charlie Harding, without question the best illustrator I have ever seen, was also a stroke of luck.

The surprising, bewildering, and astonishing idea of making Kumakawa a star came from I know not where, and the help and encouragement given to me by the marvelous Helen McCarthy is yet another slice of enormous luck.

My first effort "Life is Not a Rehearsal," is a source of immense pride to me. Followed by my lockdown memoir "All Square".

Recently, Charlie told me that "because I had a body of work," I could really consider myself an author, and I was simply blown away.

There is always a 'but', and this 'but' is absolutely true - it is a lot easier to write a book than it is to publicise it and let it be known that it is available for everyone to enjoy. There are many ways to advertise a book, such as standard advertising, Instagram, and other social media platforms, or even word of mouth, but luck still plays an enormous part in any success.

I am absolutely sure that all the help and encouragement that I have received from the amazing people that I have mentioned has resulted in me producing work that I am very proud of. The fact that the children's book series "The Adventures of Kumakawa: The Horse That Will Try Anything" will be ongoing for some time gives me great pleasure, and the fact that I managed to bring to life an original idea in the autobiography "Kumakawa: My True Story" is something really special to me.

Please read and enjoy my books and tell as many people about them as you can. For this, I will be eternally grateful. Many thanks.

.oOo.

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