Hey guys, Matt Chamings, author of Time Switch, has some sound advice on how to write your first book. Read on for a very funny insight to the way authors really think and write!
People often ask me, ‘How do you write a book?’ Of course, every author has their own methods but they divide pretty neatly into two groups: those who use pens and those who use keyboards. I’m a keyboard man myself so the answer to that question runs something like this. I sit down in front of my PC. I start pressing buttons and when I see there is a book on the screen then I stop pressing buttons. Simple really. I don’t know why more people don’t do it. Actually they do. Over forty thousand books are published every day, which probably explains why only twenty-seven people have got round to reading my book. And that includes the man who wrote to me in crayon to tell me that mine was the best Welsh language novel he had eaten that week.
Some people aren’t that easily satisfied though. They ask, ‘But which buttons should I press?’ Really! I mean what do they want? Do they want me to WRITE THE BOOK FOR THEM? If I did that my name would have to go on the front. I suppose it is a bit tricky choosing which buttons. Somebody once pointed out that if you had an infinite number of chimpanzees and you sat them in front of typewriters and let them hit random keys then eventually one of them would come up with the complete works of Shakespeare. That man ought to get out more. If he wants the complete works of Shakespeare why doesn’t he go and buy a copy?
Hitting random keys is an option I suppose. I gave it a go but found even the opening sentence quite difficult to understand. Giboerk4 ty%dsg-r po#’r*(1 l;sorpw[! What do you think? I had to give up reading at that point with a sore throat. Using chimps is also a possibility. There must be quite a heavy investment to begin with. And then there will be ongoing banana and carpet cleaner expenses. But think of all that free time you’ll have while the apes are writing your books for you. Contrary to some opinions, I don’t let chimps write my books. I did read of one writer who tried working with them but it was no good. They kept eating the paper apart from one who completed Macbeth and got half way through Romeo and Juliet before they discovered what he was up to.
No, I think that there are no easy answers to the which buttons question. If you’re going to write a book, you’re just going to have to choose your own buttons. It takes longer that way but it’s a lot more satisfying. Meanwhile, why not give my book, Time Switch, a go. Guaranteed chimp free, and you could be the twenty-eighth person to read it.
Here's what the story is all about...
Time Switch by Matt Chamings - ISBN 0571221130Strange things are happening behind Jed and Lizzie’s house. The ghostly figure of a boy appears out of thin air and vanishes again. Who is he? What does he want? Desperately searching for answers, they make a shocking discovery. One that uncovers a devastating chain of events that began 121 years earlier with a secret machine of extraordinary powers and a boy trapped in time. Now as the past and present collide, Jed and Lizzie are thrown into a deadly struggle that could change the world forever … Matt Chamings lives in Devon with his wife and four very noisy children. He studied archaeology at university and has had a variety of jobs, including being a hospital porter, genealogist, teacher and library assistant. He now divides his time evenly between writing, doing the housework and telling his kids to be quiet. He likes to write because it allows him to combine his love of stories with sitting around all day not doing much. His other interests include reading, going to church, watching films and supporting Leeds United. | Things people have said about the book ‘… scary … funny … a gripping story.’ The Guardian Now that IS scary! |
Calling all children's authors and illustrators
If you ARE an author or illustrator we'd all love to hear from you! Please send your article to max@devon.gov.uk or M@x at The Zone, c/o Library & Information Services HQ, Great Moor House, Bittern Way, Sowton, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7NL
Next month I'll be featuring, Jan Oke author of The Naughty Bus.