Spotlight interview with author Mark W. Medley

Q1: Thanks for participating in our Authors.com Spotlight Interview series Mark! Please introduce yourself and your book to help our readers get to know you.

A: Its great to meet you all, and be part of an expanding network of writers or authors to be. I am a British guy who lives in Indonesia & China. I write, and also work in international education.

 Q2: Please explain how you came to be a writer, what inspired you to write your book(s) and how long it took.

A: For years I always wanted to put pen to paper, and just write down my thoughts. I guess the big change came, when one of my friends encouraged me to start writing articles. This turned into rekindling an ambition of writing about Jakarta, a city I lived in. So I explored the city, and suddenly the “City of Dreams,” became alive.

Q3: What did you enjoy most about creating this book?

A. The challenge of actually turning what I saw, and experienced into a series of short stories. Turning real images into words.

Q4: What facets of your life, both personal and professional, are  woven into your book, if any? 

A. I guess you could say some of the experiences the characters have in the  book, could also been of my own. The book reflects whar could, can and does happen in modern day Jakarta, and this in some way is woven into my own personality.

Q5. How did you get published?

A. I was approached by a friend, who passed on a draft of the book to a local publisher called,’Blue Gecko Books.” It was suggested I publish the book through amazon, using the publishers name.

Q6: Did you have any surprises or hiccups along the way during the  book writing and/or publishing process?

A. Many, I realised the joint editing work could take as long as writing some of the stories, and the actual design of the book is as important as the stories inside the book.

Q7: What one thing did you wish you'd known before you started this project?

A. When you write you are inspired, and think very little about what happens once you publish. I really was quite naïve about the marketing side of the book, as I am a writer, and not a salesman, but realise in today’s world this is one major factor of book publishing.

Q8: You're a fly on the wall when readers are discussing your book.   What would you hope to hear them say about it?

A. That it simply makes them think and imagine the scenarios in the book. They are true, but I just changed the characters. I hope it inspires readers.

Q9: Tell us one thing about you that most people don't know or  would surprise them.

A. How quiet and private I can be. Often I prefer to the coziness of my own home, despite the fact I love going out and exploring life.

Q10: What single piece of advice would you give new authors?

A. Write first, put your dreams on paper, and then focus on what comes next.

Q11: Share a short summary of a typical day in your life with us  please.

A. An ordinary day? I try to see everyday as an adventure, but usually I just go to work, then either go out and eat in a café,  sometimes explore somewhere I heard of but never visited, and return home. If I have time, play some music, and relax..

 Q12:  Describe where you do most of your writing. What would I see if I was sitting beside you?

A. I enjoy writing around people, it may sound odd, but you would probably see me in a café, behind my lapto, rather than at home. Sometimes I try and find a beautiful place, when I am really relaxed, and simply watch, and write.

Q13: What's your motto or favorite quote you like to live by?

A. On every street theres an untold story

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Q14: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us in closing such as your website, an imminent book launch or what you're working on presently?

A. I am between books at the moment, but am deciding on whether to start a new book based on my work, or write  a new  series of short stories again.

Authors.com profile: http://www.authors.com/profile/MarkMedley

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