Kevin Swarbrick's Blog, page 11

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                           A great Author Interview by Dawn Torrens 
An interview with Author Kevin Swarbrick…Today I have the great pleasure of interviewing the talented author of “Louie has Landed” Kevin Swarbrick. I am also blessed with his friendship since we met on twitter. Kevin is an extremely inspirational person, you only have to be in his sphere for a short while to discover this. Having read his true life story “Louie has Landed” I immediately felt a connection with Kevin. We had a deep and knowing understanding for each other’s  journey. Through out life we meet people who come and go, and then there are those special few you just know will be in your life a very long time! Kevin is most definitley one of those special friends…


Bio
Hi Dawn, first of all let me say thank you for taking the time to interview me and inviting me on to your blog, it’s an honour and a pleasure to be here.My name is Kevin Mark Swarbrick. I am 37 years old and was born in Salford,Manchester,England.  I now live in a quiet little town ten miles outside of Manchester City Centre. I went toLowerKersalPrimary SchoolandKersalHigh School. College came after where I studied Art and Design and passed my National Diploma.  When I was in college I was working with my dad on weekends to earn myself some extra money. He was a Painter and Decorator, but is retired now. After I left college I had numerous jobs and found myself working for different companies in the Decorating Trade. In 2002 I started my own business, KMS Painting and Decorating Services, which I still run to this present day.

1: What inspired you to write your first book?
It’s crazy really what life has mapped out for you, but the main character in my books called Sarah gave me the inspiration to write. I don’t want to say too much as it would spoil the story for you. But for me with the way my life was with all its ups and downs, this character along with true friends, gave me the inspiration and the positivity to make this journey possible.
2: Do you have a specific writing style?
The style of writing from my stories I have wrote so far, gives the readers a sense of reality and depth that comes with real life warts and all. I wanted to keep this story unique and recreate all the characters and keep everything as real as they are.

3: How did you come up with the title?
Now that’s a funny question and yes the answer to that is all in the books, I would hate to spoil that part, but I think the reader would like what I have come up with!
4: What books have most influenced your life most?
I wouldn’t say any books have influenced my life as such, I believe it’s only you as a person who can influence your own life (That’s my experience anyway)

5: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?Absolutely! My stories are non-fiction so far, the characters in the books are as real as you andI.70% of the names have been changed to protect the innocent. I know that comment sounded like a scene from ‘Drag Net the movie!’ (Giggles)

6: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I wouldn’t like to be mentored as such but only guided in the right direction; I want to develop my own style and with Louie, I think I’m learning how to do that. However, if I had to choose then I would have to say the obvious Stephen King, who wouldn’t!

7: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?Believe it or not I would have to say you Dawn, we both met on twitter around the same time, our first books were out around the same time and I have been following you since. There are so many new great authors out there; I keep meeting so many on a daily basis, but I would have to say you Dawn along with Charity Parkerson and Denis Campbell. All of you are great authors and much more. I personally feel it is an honour to know you all.

8: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

I would have to say I have been very lucky to have good friends who have stood by me along the way, through the thick and thin. The one person who has always been there for me and has been my rock is again another character out of my book, her name is Jill, one of the best friends anyone could ever wish for.

9: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
The style of writing could do with a tweak (some would say) but as I do have so many styles inside me, it won’t be long before the reader can tell me what style they preferred! So far I am happy with what I’ve achieved.

10: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I have two Novels that are out at the moment; “Louie has Landed” (The Early Days) and also “Louie has Landed” (The Second Encounter) but I’m still working on the Louie story and trying to turn that in to a script. I am also working on a couple of other stories besides that.

11: Where do you want to be five years from now?

Hopefully not in the position I’m in now. I would be quite happy to pack up my Decorating tools and do my writing full time, after all, who wouldn’t want to progress? Progression is inevitable in my eyes.

12: Who is your favourite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I’ve read some amazing short stories by people I know and people I don’t.  As long as the story feels right, I’ll read it. I wouldn’t say I have a favourite author, as there are so many great ones out there. However, I am enjoying the work of Aaron Sorkin,  he really knows how to get me to turn the page, this guy is funny that’s for sure.

13: How have you found the self publishing industry?
I’ve found it very time consuming, but I must admit I am enjoying the experience. I just wish I had more time to do more and push myself more, but there are never enough hours in a day.

14: What knowledge of the industry did you have before publishing your first book?
To tell you the truth I had no knowledge whatsoever, I was a novice with a real steep curve ahead of me. All this for me was a whole new education, to a new journey in my life. People think you just write a book and everything is ok, it’s a shame they don’t know the real ins and outs of all the hard work we authors actually do, I must admit I was one of them people at one time! I’ve woken up since. Everything to me has been a whole new education!

15: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
I would have to say writing about my past for the world to read about, sharing my inner dark secrets revealing and exposing my life, from behind closed doors. Letting people feel the pain I felt along with the madness I have lived, the fun times, the passion. The real hardest part would have to be trying to explain the word ‘love’ through a man’s perspective. There was a lot of emotion involved with many sleepless nights, but the words just came naturally from the heart.

16: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned the true value of friendship along with patience. I learned that the people I wrote about shaped my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined, they gave me a new perspective towards my outlook on life.

17: Do you have any advice for other writers?
All I can say to people is never quit. If you want to write, then write. Like any creative pastime, I write because I enjoy it, but knowing that people are relating to my stories and enjoying them, gives me an over-whelming feeling inside and this alone gives me the means and drive to carry on and if I can do it, anyone can do it if they put their mind to it.
18: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I would like to thank all my readers for their support and kindly ask them to stick around. There’s way more to come from me yet…

19: What book are you reading now?
I’ve almost finished ‘Amelia’s Destiny’ but I’ve also been reading Aaron Sorkin ‘West Wing Script book’ when I get the chance to read that is!
20: What are your current projects?
I have got a few stories on the go; one is the Louie series that I am trying to turn into script. Another story I’m working on is based from my childhood years up to my late teens. My life was a bit hectic, with bullying in school, family break ups, there’s all sorts in this story from even living with my grandparents from the age of 14-17. I am also working on a short story, but I am not giving too much away about that I know what you’re thinking, ‘How can he work on so many things as well as doing his day job?’  All I can say it’s hard going! Keeping these three stories going is good for me, sometimes I can’t think straight on one story, it all depends on how I am feeling when I return home from work and what story I find best to relate too.

Where to find me
 You can find me in most places in cyber-space by either visitingKevinSwarbrickAuthor.Weebly.com or by using my username on all these networking sites. Twitter: you can find me @KevinSwarbrick, also you can find me on Goodreads.com, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Author Central,  Igoogle,  and alsoFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/k.m.swarbrick by typing the same name Kevin Swarbrick, I did say it was a hard one to remember! There is also my author page on Facebook but I do use my full name for that one ‘Kevin Mark Swarbrick.’ I also run a Facebook group called Authors and Readers.https://www.facebook.com/k.m.swarbrickAnd for my female readers here is a cheeky photograph of our Author/Painter/Decorator that is the lovely Kevin Swabrick!!!

My interview by Tracy Jones

Author Interview: Kevin Swarbrick17FridayAug 2012
Posted by Tracy James Jones in Author Interviews
 http://tracyjamesjones.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/author-interview-kevin-swarbrick/≈ 19 CommentsToday, in continuance of my growing connections and friendships around the world, I will introduce another author from across the pond.  I met him through a close friend on Facebook and twitter.  By happenstance, we became colleagues and friends as well.  So you may get a better understanding of him and his journey to becoming an author, I will turn this over to him.  His name is Kevin Swarbrick.  (Applause, applause, applause…)Hello Kevin, could you please share some things about yourself?About the authorHi Tracy, first of all let me say thank you for having me on your blog tour, it’s a real pleasure to be here. My name is Kevin Mark Swarbrick. I am 37 years old and was born in Salford, Manchester, England.  I now live in a quiet little town 10 miles out of Manchester City Centre. I went to Lower Kersal Primary School and Kersal High School. College came after where I studied Art and Designand passed my NationalDiploma.  When I was in college I was working with my dad on weekends to earn myself some extra money.  He was a Painter and Decorator, but is retired now. After I left college I had numerous jobs and found myself working for different companies in the Decorating Trade. In 2002 I opened my own business, KMS Painting and Decorating Services, that I still run to this present day.How long have you been writing?I started writing over 2 years ago and to tell you the truth, I never thought being an author was the road I would go down, after all, I was so used to writing Invoices and Estimates.  I didn’t have any free time due to my hectic lifestyle.  Once I did start writing I couldn’t stop.  All I could do was feel the passion and the drive to succeed. With no experience of being an author and not knowing anything about the industry, this was all a brand new challenge to me.  It was a brand new start to a new journey in my life, and it was like going to night school and learning all over again. In fact, I have probably learned more now than what I ever did at school.What was your life before becoming an author?To tell you the truth most of my life I have had many ups and downs.  In fact, too many, but I have learnt in the last 2 and a half years or so to lose negative energy around me, (it’s been a long road) as it enables my mind to focus more without dealing with the world’s problems. My life is the same as it was before except I am now meeting fantastic new people and making many awesome friends. My life is now filled with positive energy and I chose to continue to keep it that way.Who or what inspired you to write?It’s crazy really what life has mapped out for you, but the main character in my books called Sarah, gave me the main inspiration to write.  It was Sarah who led me on this path.  I don’t want to say too much as it would spoil the story for you, but for me, with the way my life was with all its ups and downs, this character along with true friends gave me the drive to make this journey possible.Do you have a specific writing style or genre?My style of writing from the stories I have wrote so far, I wanted to give the readers a sense of reality and depth that comes with real life warts and all. I wanted to keep this story unique and recreate all the characters and keep everything as real as they are. There isn’t a genre as such for my books.  Anyone who has ever experienced relationships with all the ups and downs and also for anyone whose felt that magic word called ‘Love’ then that’s my genre. With strong language and erotic scenes in the stories, it has been rated 18 and up.Tell me about your latest book and what it is about?  Louie has Landed: The Secondhttp://amzn.com/B007A0FINC It’s funny how you should ask me that.  As my next project is on the way and again that is based on a true story. The story I am working on now is the story I first started writing before the “Louie Has Landed” series.  With that story having been told, now it I can concentrate on my first story. The book I am working on is from my childhood years and upwards.  Family break ups, bullying at school, living with grandparents at 14 and so much more. This story is a completely different write up to the “Louie Has Landed” series but is mentioned in them.What was your favourite part of the book to write?‘Mmmmm’ that’s a tricky one.  To be honest I actually enjoyed writing the story.  All the words came from the heart.   All the laughter came from the heart.  Not forgetting all the intimate times, everything was certainly a learning curve, that’s for sure, despite how I was feeling at the time.What was the hardest part of the book to write?The hardest part to write was writing about part of my past for the whole world to read about. Sharing my inner dark secrets, revealing and exposing my life from behind closed doors, the pain I’ve felt, the madness I’ve lived, the fun times, the passion, and most of all trying to explain the word love from a man’s prospective. Even though there was a lot of emotion involved and many sleepless nights, the words came naturally from my heart.What do you find most rewarding when writing your books?The most rewarding… Well there are a few things really I found most rewarding. The first one is when you get your first proof copies, you then know your dream, ambition and your drive and hard work has now become an achievement and is reality.  What makes it more rewarding is when a reader picks it up and tells me they can’t put it down and they can relate to the story so much.  These things, not to mention the fantastic people and new friends I have met along the way and continue meeting, are the most rewarding to me.Do you have any books complete or in progress?The books that are complete are called ‘Louie Has Landed’ The Early Days and ‘Louie Has Landed’ The Second Encounter. You can find these on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. Louie has so far changed my life.  It’s amazing that people have connected to the realism and the truth behind my story. I had to write about Louie but after a year of thinking nothing else but writing, it was done and Louie was born for others to enjoy the suspense, fun and trauma that these stories hold. Deliciously scandalous, some would say. With over 42 characters in the books it is certainly a page turner, so I am told. These books are self published and out there for everyone to enjoy.What are your future plans?I plan to finish this third book I am currently working on and also try to turn the Louie Has Landed story into script.  Hopefully, in the future, who knows, you might be watching Louie on your television, but no matter what, I will be continue writing many more stories for my readers to enjoy and relate to.Are you listed on any social networks like facebook, twitter, goodreads etc?You can find me in most places in cyber space. My username on all these networking sites is a really hard one to remember, here goes. Twitter you can find me @KevinSwarbrick, also you can find me on Goodreads, LinkedIn, PInterest, Author Central,  Igoogle, LinkedIn and also Facebook by typing the same name Kevin Swarbrick, I did say it was a hard one to remember! There is also my author page on Facebook but I do use my full name for that one ‘Kevin Mark Swarbrick.’ I also run a Facebook group called Authors and Readers.https://www.facebook.com/k.m.swarbrickWhat advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?The advice I would give them from my experience is to just keep pushing yourself, but you really do need to lose the negativity in your life.  Only when you have done that can push yourself forward. Writing is hard enough without negative energy floating around.  Just believe in yourself and your true friends and people around you will believe in you too. It’s the people who believe in you who will help make your dreams flourish, but always be sure to take constructive criticism on board.Outside of writing, what is your most favourite thing to do and why?That would have to be my weight training.  This helps me to switch off from work, writing, and everyday life and focus on myself rather than the world around me. (Well at least for an hour or so). It also helps to clear my mind and think about me.  I don’t mean that in a selfish way of course, it makes me feel and look good.  That gives me the inner confidence to feel great on the outside. We all know that if you’re happy on the outside then the world is happy with you.  It attracts positive energy and that positive energy is the energy we all need to succeed even when we are at our lowest!Anything else you would like to add for future fans and friends.Just to believe in yourself and only then will the world believe in you.  Don’t be afraid of what’s around the next corner or even afraid to take chances.  Take life as it comes, but always enjoy it. We have one life so there is no point in being sad.  Do your best and try your best, that’s all you can do.I would like to thank you again Tracy for having this interview with me.  It’s been a pleasure answering your questions, and I wish you the very best success that life can offer you.————————–Thank you too, Kevin.  It has been my pleasure as well to share your story.   Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in my author interview series.  As always, my best to you and yours.