UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion
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Live Event with Rosen Trevithick - Wednesday 30th of January at 7.30pm OPEN THREAD
As long as you don't crack any more Jimmy Tarbuck style jokes David W. That metro - gnome, jeez.
David wrote: "Haha! I brought the five metre high chocolate fountain, of course."Yay! Thank you!
Bryan, stick around, the list is a bit long, but we'll get to you (do let me know if you're interested)
Lorraine - Lover of Jellybeans wrote: "Rosen, if I can help you with keeping track of the questions just give me a shout :)"I'm trying to respond in sequence, so if I miss one, please give me a nudge.
David wrote: "Haha! I brought the five metre high chocolate fountain, of course."I knew I could rely on you, David.
David wrote: "As long as you don't crack any more Jimmy Tarbuck style jokes David W. That metro - gnome, jeez."What?! That was my best gag! OK look, stop me if you've heard this one, but three men walk into a bar...
I have a question for you Rosen. How much of your success would you attribute to having a particular author 'brand'? I've noticed that you have a fairly cohesive presentation style across your blog and social media, book covers etc. Is that something you deliberately planned from the outset, or did it develop over time? Do you think it has made a difference?
Rosen, do you plot your stories, or do you write by the seat of your pants without knowing what's going to happen next?
David wrote: "David wrote: "As long as you don't crack any more Jimmy Tarbuck style jokes David W. That metro - gnome, jeez."What?! That was my best gag! OK look, stop me if you've heard this one, but three me..."
what all 3 of them? That was careless. Probably too engrossed in their chit-chat. I hope none were seriously hurt
Jonathan wrote: "Rosen, I found 'The Other Daughter' very moving and frightfully realistic - did you do any research into real life cases, or did you just imagine?"No particular research. I've tended to pay more attention to missing children news articles over the years than other news articles (except articles about the Cornish slurry pest - articles about him are my number 1 favourite.)
I'm interested in your reply to Alex as well: does making yourself into a brand help you?
Questions for Rosen:1. Who are your biggest influences on your writing?
2. How much re-drafting do you generally do and how long does it take?
3. Are you going to write a book for the teenage market?
Sorry, not very illuminating questions - school has sapped all my mental acuity, amongst other things.
Bryan wrote: "Rosen, you recently got to Number 1 in the Top 100 free books on Amazon with Pompomberry House 'and' The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling was right alongside you in the Top 100 paid books - I've neve..."I was very proud that Pomp got to number 1, being next to JK was the icing on the cake. Believe me, I've got enough screenshots from that day to paper my bog.
David wrote: "Wow, you didn't make that one up!http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/..."
Has anyone warned Jim?
Rosen wrote: "Bryan wrote: "I'm only here for David Wailing's autograph..."Ouch. You know how to hit where it hurts."
Rosen, you and me will always be BFFs - and we'll always have Fowey!
So do you have a big box of press clipping that you draw from (a la Ian Rankin), or how do you get your inspiration?
According to your website, Lipstick and Knickers led the comedy chart for about three weeks. This is very impressive and something I'd love to do. Apart from writing a good story, what factors led to this achievement? Was it off the back of a promo?
I'm getting my question in the list while I can...Rosen! You've written serious drama, comedy and now children's fiction. Are there any genres or types of stories that you have always wanted to have a crack at, and may attempt in the future?
Alex wrote: "How much of your success would you attribute to having a particular author 'brand'? I've noticed that you have a fairly cohesive presentation style across your blog and social media, book covers etc. Is that something you deliberately planned from the outset, or did it develop over time? Do you think it has made a difference? "I've broken a lot of the branding rules - I switch genres faster than I change my pants.
However, whilst my books vary I've always been careful to establish a clear identity as an author. I let people know who I am, what I like to do, what drives me etc, then even when my books seem far away from each other, they don't seem far away from a central core - me.
I can't really say to what extent the branding has or hasn't helped. I don't have a non-branded version of me to use as a control!
Another question for the list: You're a great advocate of indie publishing/books, but what do you think the future holds for the indie writer?
Rosen wrote: "Bryan wrote: "Rosen, you recently got to Number 1 in the Top 100 free books on Amazon with Pompomberry House 'and' The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling was right alongside you in the Top 100 paid boo..."It's a great book - Danger Smith is my hero.
Shaun wrote: "Rosen, do you plot your stories, or do you write by the seat of your pants without knowing what's going to happen next?"I wrote my first novel, 'Footprints' by the seat of my pants. Then, when I realised how much editing that caused - ironing out plot holes etc - I vowed never to do that again.
Now, I wouldn't dream of approaching a novel without a detailed plan.
There are too many unfinished plays on my hard drive from my 'reckless' days!
Shaun wrote: "I think she's been kidnapped!!! ;)"The ransom is 50 pence, but I'll accept a cheque.
Bryan wrote: "Shaun wrote: "I think she's been kidnapped!!! ;)"The ransom is 50 pence, but I'll accept a cheque."
Are you open to negotiation?
While I think about it, I've put together some freebies for you all:http://rosentrevithick.co.uk/freebies/
There's a free short story for adults and a troll building worksheet for kids.
I had been hoping to release my new book, 'The Troll Trap' today, to coincide with this chat but alas, it was not to be.
Rosen wrote: "Alex wrote: "How much of your success would you attribute to having a particular author 'brand'? I've noticed that you have a fairly cohesive presentation style across your blog and social media, b..."
Thanks for the reply--most interesting! I guess it goes to show that changing genres doesn't matter so long as you are consistent in other areas.
Thanks for the reply--most interesting! I guess it goes to show that changing genres doesn't matter so long as you are consistent in other areas.
Sorry I'm late!!!I'm here now! Sorry if this question has been asked but Roz: what is your favourite thing about writing a book?
Rosen, I'm amazed that no mainstream publisher has tied you up in a multi-book contract. Apart from the fact that your writing deserves its reward, by making you one of them they would take away all the support you are providing for the indies.
Rosen wrote: "While I think about it, I've put together some freebies for you all:http://rosentrevithick.co.uk/freebies/
There's a free short story for adults and a troll building worksheet for kids.
I had b..."
Thank you, Rosen! :)
what proportion of your books have been free downloads and what proportion priced?
Treppenwitz wrote: "1. Who are your biggest influences on your writing?2. How much re-drafting do you generally do and how long does it take?
3. Are you going to write a book for the teenage market? "
1. You!
2. These days, I usually plan in detail, write and then redraft about twice. So I guess, that's about four drafts. I also do a quick final polish when the notes come back from my editor.
3. No plans to write for the teenage market. Although somebody does need to save them from paranormal romances before we grown up with a generation of women who won't touch a man unless he's got fangs.
Rosen wrote: "While I think about it, I've put together some freebies for you all:
http://rosentrevithick.co.uk/freebies/
There's a free short story for adults and a troll building worksheet for kids.
I had b..."
Stunning, thank you :-)
http://rosentrevithick.co.uk/freebies/
There's a free short story for adults and a troll building worksheet for kids.
I had b..."
Stunning, thank you :-)
David wrote: "Wow, you didn't make that one up!http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/..."
That's him! At is again!
Rosen wrote: "Treppenwitz wrote: "1. Who are your biggest influences on your writing?2. How much re-drafting do you generally do and how long does it take?
3. Are you going to write a book for the teenage marke..."
or sparkles...
I grabbed the short story earlier when I spotted on the newsletter.
Tim wrote: "So do you have a big box of press clipping that you draw from (a la Ian Rankin), or how do you get your inspiration?"I only keep press clippings if I'm in them. It's a very small collection - a snap holding a verse speaking certificate from when I was 7 and a clip from the uni paper commenting on my virginity.
When things happen that inspire me, I usually jot them down on my phone.
Oh no! I've just realised I'm lying! I recently went through six issues of trashy women's magazines for inspiration. However, the stories in them were too ludicrous for a fiction writer to dare use.
How much different is your final draft from the first one? Ok, I know this is a learning process, but I'm finding so many inconsistencies (and just plain boll*x) in what I wrote first time that the second draft is almost a different book...
If you could have only one of your books/stories made into a TV drama or cinematic film which would it be? Also who would play the main characters?
David wrote: "FREEBIES!!!!! Thanks Rosen!"Ditto, I'm gonna be all over that 'make your own troll' thingy.
Freebies! Awesome thank you! (I mist that post earlier)
You're a brand! Crikey, I thought you were just like the rest of us.
Jonathan wrote: "According to your website, Lipstick and Knickers led the comedy chart for about three weeks. This is very impressive and something I'd love to do. Apart from writing a good story, what factors led to this achievement? Was it off the back of a promo?"Actually, 'Lipstick and Knickers' is regarded by reviewers as my worst book. Comedy is a matter of personal taste and I didn't get it proofread before publishing, but mostly I think the low ratings are there because it's genuinely not as good as some of my later titles.
So why did it sell so well?
I enrolled it in Select very early on, when free promotions were causing indie books to shoot up the paid charts during subsequent days. I was very lucky.
Also, I think it helped that the book has a hook. Whose are those knickers and what were they doing on Ross Turpin's floor?
Ouch. You know how to hit where it hurts.