Sarah Watts interview
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
A little introduction:
I’ve always enjoyed the written word but What Happened to Evie Del Rio? is my first book to be published. It was published on 8th July 2022 by Cahill Davis Publishing. I had had the idea for some time and had already started writing it when COVID hit. Suddenly I had loads of time to sit down and write without the usual daily distractions. I finished my novel and started to send it off to some publishers and agents when Cassandra at Cahill Davis Publishing offered me a contract.
I live in West London, and I’m married with two sons, and
I’m owned by a black cat called Hector who often features on my Instagram
account. I’m obsessed with music, and you will find me more often than not listening
to some kind of music. I also always listen to music whenever I’m writing but
for editing, I need complete silence. My debut novel is music related and there
is a Spotify playlist that accompanies the book. Just search “What Happened to
Evie Del Rio?” and you’ll find it.
When did your love of books begin?
I’ve always enjoyed reading, even as a small child, I would
love nothing more than reading the latest Enid Blyton book. Her writing
inspired me to write the sorts of books that I wanted to read.
When did you start to have the wish to become an author?
It’s been a dream of mine to become an author for as long as
I can remember. I was always writing stories and plays as a child.
How have you found the process for becoming an author?
It’s a solitary occupation and although I’m a very sociable
person, I’m quite happy with my own company too which helps, but it is good to
connect with the writing community on social media, although it can sometimes be
a distraction. It’s great to talk to people who are going through the same
experience as me. There is so much more to writing a book than just writing a
book! I also have big respect for my publisher and my editor helping to make my
book the best that it could be.
What would you say to those wanting to become an author?
Try not to take things too personally. Sometimes your
writing just isn’t someone’s cup of tea – it doesn’t mean to say it’s not good
– it’s just not for them. If you are serious in becoming an author, the main
thing is just write. Don’t worry too much about spelling mistakes, grammar etc
to start off with, it can be addressed later – just get that first draft down
and then you can trick around with it later. Also don’t stress too much about
the title of your book as these are more than often changed. Everyone is
different in their approach to writing – there is no right or wrong way to
write a book – you do you and write about what you like.
Tell us about your book/books:
My debut novel What Happened to Evie Del Rio? is a contemporary novel full of 80s nostalgia, first love, an epic indie love song and the girl that inspired it. Can you ever truly escape your past and reinvent yourself, or does the past always find a way of catching up with you?
Evie Del Rio was the one, as far as
Ed Nash was concerned.
Their teenage love was the inspiration for his song 'Used to Be' and helped
Ed's indie band, The Mountaineers, to international fame.
But when Evie and her family suddenly up sticks and leave their London home
without a forwarding address, she leaves a heartbroken Ed behind too.
Over thirty years later, washed up rocker Ed is suddenly back in the limelight
when Evie's love song is used as the theme tune for a new TV drama. Once the
song is later featured on TV documentary 'Musical Muses: The Girl in the Song'
it's suddenly not just Ed who's asking...
What happened to Evie Del Rio?
What do you love about the writing/reading community?
I love connecting with other authors, bloggers and people
who just adore books in general! They are always so supportive, and I’ve
already made some wonderful friends online whose posts make me laugh and lift
me up when I need it. Connecting with other indie writers has expanded my
reading and it’s such a thrill to receive a review from a fellow author who has
enjoyed my writing. A big thank you to all the bloggers who take the time to
review our books and leave reviews and to sites like Feed My Reads who help promote
our work. I am always so very grateful.
If you could say anything to your readers what would it be?
Thank you for buying or borrowing my book. I’m so pleased
that you have enjoyed the 80s nostalgia, whether you experienced it yourself
first hand or not! I’m always so thrilled whenever someone takes the time to
leave a review or reaches out on social media to say that they have enjoyed my
book. I’m currently working on the sequel to What Happened to Evie Del Rio? so be
prepared to reacquaint yourself with some familiar characters and be introduced
to a whole host of new ones.
Where can people connect with you?
You can find me on Twitter: @SKWattsWrites and on Instagram: @sarahwattswrites
You can get a copy of What Happened to Evie Del Rio? here:
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment