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A Work in Progress
Snider was on the way to having it all—family, success and a movie deal. Then he’s parents died and he was never the same again. Fast forward a few years and Snider is a man who takes pride in punishing himself, forcing himself to live in squalor, as his sister lives it up in a luxurious apartment and enjoys the London night life. With no drive and no ambition to take himself out of the rut he resides in, things are soon to change as the disgraced author will be forced to do things he swore never to do, whilst landing himself in some of craziest antics that are both comical and highly sexual.
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2017
2 people want to read
About the author
Rocky Rochford
24 books27 followers My name is Rocky Rochford, author, scuba diver, and conservationist. Now although I do sound like a London Lad, and the cockiness of a cockney chappie, I am a Essex boy. So one, don't hold that against me and two, don't even trying comparing me to one of that lot from Towie, we're completely different breeds.
Part way into my twenties and already I have a couple of accomplishments under my belt, accomplishments such as being part of a small team that helped re-release two young Loggerhead turtles back into the sea, landing a 4 page spread in an international magazine, in which coverage of the latest Havasu competition featured. Then of course there was the release of my 646 page long novel Phoenix Rises, a work I originally penned & finished as thirteen year old student, who's teachers at that time, proclaimed me to be heading nowhere fast. Oh and there's also the fact that I've been run down twice by cars and although arguably that may not come across as being an accomplishment, but the fact that I didn't break a single bone either time, definitely does.
There's no doubt about it, as far as authors go, especially the ones you love, hate and know about, I'm certain you've never heard of an author who's personal experiences mirror my own and match my natural energetic, zany and workaholic personality, but there's a first time for everything. Now this is the part where most authors would go on to compare themselves with an already established and noteworthy author such as James Patterson, Lee Child or Stephen King and well, I could do that, but I won't. I'm never going to compare my works to another because I have no desire to ever be anything or anyone that I'm not. I have no ambition to have the same style of writing as one of my fellow authors, why do the same thing as everyone else, when you can be the one who does it differently in the attempt at trying to find some original creativity when we live in a world where originality is quickly disappeared and the current limits of the written world are set in stone?
As a writer and not just of one format and genre, but all styles and all formats, such as poetry screenplays, novels, supernatural, fantasy and psychological thrillers, I only have one ambition, to try and write the works that have not yet been created. To push the envelope and see if just how well set those current limitations are set. Why chase after fame and cold hard cash, then the pursuit of trying to bring about the new era of writing? And chasing is exactly what I'm going to do, chasing as I bring my own style of writing to the playground and continuously seek to forever improve. After all the problem with perfection means there is no more room for improvement and it is human nature to strive in bettering our craft and ourselves. You don't have to be the best when you can happily be the best version of yourself.
There is no disputing it, I am a marmite writer and whether or not you do love me or hate me, you may as well get used to hearing my name because I'm not going away, I've spent long enough hiding in the shadows and I'm not hiding anymore and I am not one to give up easily. Given a choice between doing things the easy way or the hard way, the masochist in me will always pick the hard way. Why? Why not? The hard way is the only way to ever learn and the only way to truly discover just what we are capable of. You will never reach your full potential if you never try to surpass your own limits.
So you may as well strap yourself in and tag along for the ride, because fall or fly, this crazed mind of mine is ready to play and and attempt to break down all the established walls of writing currently in place. Let's not just have it, LET'S 'AVE IT!!!
And if you liked all that, why not whack on a twitter follow, a facebook page like, a goodreads follow, check out the blog or check out the works, courtesy of amazon. Links can be found below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamRocky
Part way into my twenties and already I have a couple of accomplishments under my belt, accomplishments such as being part of a small team that helped re-release two young Loggerhead turtles back into the sea, landing a 4 page spread in an international magazine, in which coverage of the latest Havasu competition featured. Then of course there was the release of my 646 page long novel Phoenix Rises, a work I originally penned & finished as thirteen year old student, who's teachers at that time, proclaimed me to be heading nowhere fast. Oh and there's also the fact that I've been run down twice by cars and although arguably that may not come across as being an accomplishment, but the fact that I didn't break a single bone either time, definitely does.
There's no doubt about it, as far as authors go, especially the ones you love, hate and know about, I'm certain you've never heard of an author who's personal experiences mirror my own and match my natural energetic, zany and workaholic personality, but there's a first time for everything. Now this is the part where most authors would go on to compare themselves with an already established and noteworthy author such as James Patterson, Lee Child or Stephen King and well, I could do that, but I won't. I'm never going to compare my works to another because I have no desire to ever be anything or anyone that I'm not. I have no ambition to have the same style of writing as one of my fellow authors, why do the same thing as everyone else, when you can be the one who does it differently in the attempt at trying to find some original creativity when we live in a world where originality is quickly disappeared and the current limits of the written world are set in stone?
As a writer and not just of one format and genre, but all styles and all formats, such as poetry screenplays, novels, supernatural, fantasy and psychological thrillers, I only have one ambition, to try and write the works that have not yet been created. To push the envelope and see if just how well set those current limitations are set. Why chase after fame and cold hard cash, then the pursuit of trying to bring about the new era of writing? And chasing is exactly what I'm going to do, chasing as I bring my own style of writing to the playground and continuously seek to forever improve. After all the problem with perfection means there is no more room for improvement and it is human nature to strive in bettering our craft and ourselves. You don't have to be the best when you can happily be the best version of yourself.
There is no disputing it, I am a marmite writer and whether or not you do love me or hate me, you may as well get used to hearing my name because I'm not going away, I've spent long enough hiding in the shadows and I'm not hiding anymore and I am not one to give up easily. Given a choice between doing things the easy way or the hard way, the masochist in me will always pick the hard way. Why? Why not? The hard way is the only way to ever learn and the only way to truly discover just what we are capable of. You will never reach your full potential if you never try to surpass your own limits.
So you may as well strap yourself in and tag along for the ride, because fall or fly, this crazed mind of mine is ready to play and and attempt to break down all the established walls of writing currently in place. Let's not just have it, LET'S 'AVE IT!!!
And if you liked all that, why not whack on a twitter follow, a facebook page like, a goodreads follow, check out the blog or check out the works, courtesy of amazon. Links can be found below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamRocky
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 10, 2017
Sam Snider is a failed writer, and a failed brother, who drinks and screws his way around London. He's trying to ignore the fact that he has to write, and that perhaps his life is his new work in progress.
I received a free copy in an exchange for an honest review.
Initial reaction: What the f*ck did I just read?
I don't know what I was expecting from this - something Contemporary, and a bit crude?
What I got was... was... well, something crude and Contemporary, but surprisingly real and endearing.
Within a few pages, Sam Snider is one of your best friends. He's someone that has been through a lot of shit, and coped in the only way he knows how. He is constantly going out on a limb for those that he loves. And, for all that he's willing to shag anything that moves, he's actually charming and smart. His narration is an absolute joy to follow. Be ready for a tonne of swearage.
Despite the position he's in, with his voluntary life of both excess (drink and women), and squalor (his flat is a shit tip). He's on constant watch for his baby sister, the party girl who regularly needs saving. His writing is locked away, never to be seen by the public again. You really feel like life has screwed him every which way.
BUT Rochford has done something miraculous, and makes this a very upbeat story. Despite Sam's pessimism throughout the book, it never strays into depressing. Heartfelt, occasionally; but never melancholic.
The plot is... well, we're basically following Sam through his everyday life. Where he goes on non-existing. That's it. No underlying plot. No (major) surprises. No sub-genre of thriller, mystery, or mystical. Just life.
And I loved it.
It was hilarious, and honest. It was more than occasionally crazy. It didn't need anything else, it was just pure entertainment - but with more depth.
I really don't want to say anything else, because, well, Sam Snider says it all better.
I received a free copy in an exchange for an honest review.
Initial reaction: What the f*ck did I just read?
I don't know what I was expecting from this - something Contemporary, and a bit crude?
What I got was... was... well, something crude and Contemporary, but surprisingly real and endearing.
Within a few pages, Sam Snider is one of your best friends. He's someone that has been through a lot of shit, and coped in the only way he knows how. He is constantly going out on a limb for those that he loves. And, for all that he's willing to shag anything that moves, he's actually charming and smart. His narration is an absolute joy to follow. Be ready for a tonne of swearage.
Despite the position he's in, with his voluntary life of both excess (drink and women), and squalor (his flat is a shit tip). He's on constant watch for his baby sister, the party girl who regularly needs saving. His writing is locked away, never to be seen by the public again. You really feel like life has screwed him every which way.
BUT Rochford has done something miraculous, and makes this a very upbeat story. Despite Sam's pessimism throughout the book, it never strays into depressing. Heartfelt, occasionally; but never melancholic.
The plot is... well, we're basically following Sam through his everyday life. Where he goes on non-existing. That's it. No underlying plot. No (major) surprises. No sub-genre of thriller, mystery, or mystical. Just life.
And I loved it.
It was hilarious, and honest. It was more than occasionally crazy. It didn't need anything else, it was just pure entertainment - but with more depth.
I really don't want to say anything else, because, well, Sam Snider says it all better.
August 16, 2017
What I loved most about this book was the distinctive authorial voice, especially when so many novels, particularly those by indie authors, sound the same.
Sam, the protagonist, is relatable, sex-obsessed and a novelist who has fallen off the rails. I enjoyed reading about his sexual adventures with a number of women - Taylor in particular. I loved the totally dysfunctional scenes they shared and, even though they were clearly bad for each other, I found myself rooting for them.
I enjoyed this novel a hell of a lot. I finished the book in about three days (I'm usually a slow reader if I'm not digging the story) and loved following the crazy narrative of the mad protagonist. Most of all, the novel is funny. Very funny. There were whole sections of the book when I laughed at least once on every page. Unheard of.
Sam, the protagonist, is relatable, sex-obsessed and a novelist who has fallen off the rails. I enjoyed reading about his sexual adventures with a number of women - Taylor in particular. I loved the totally dysfunctional scenes they shared and, even though they were clearly bad for each other, I found myself rooting for them.
I enjoyed this novel a hell of a lot. I finished the book in about three days (I'm usually a slow reader if I'm not digging the story) and loved following the crazy narrative of the mad protagonist. Most of all, the novel is funny. Very funny. There were whole sections of the book when I laughed at least once on every page. Unheard of.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews