This week I'm thrilled to have ITW Debut Author Simon Maltman on to talk about the experience of shifting from short story author to novelist. Plus one of the funnest author pics I've had on my blog!
Simon
Maltman is a writer and musician from Northern Ireland. A Chaser on the Rocks is his debut novel after previously having crime fiction short
stories featured in a number of magazines and anthologies. He has also
had poetry and articles published in a range of magazines. Simon has
self-published a number of crime fiction e-books over the last year.
More Faces is a collection of twelve of his shorts, released this month.
Simon was also featured in the anthology Dark Minds, which has been a
bestselling ebook and paperback around the world.
Simon
is an established musician, along with his current band The Hung Jury.
He lives in County Down with his wife and two daughters.
You can find and follow Simon:
Twitter @simonmaltman
THE INTERVIEW
Your previous work has been in short
stories, what prompted you to write a novel? How did the process differ or was
it the same process, just more pages?
I suppose I
had originally started writing the first novel after it being suggested to
me by an agent. The idea had always daunted me! I did enjoy the process
and it was definitely a challenge. The difference I think was that you have
to alter slightly the way you write. I suppose it's bit like the technique
between a sprinter and marathon runner. The other thing was that it
gave the opportunity to explore a lot more. I was able to reference many
more things, look at different themes and hopefully create deeper
characters and story.
I've been told a
short story is about a problem and a novel is about the effect of time on a
problem. How would you describe the difference between the two?
Yeah that's an
interesting way of looking at it! I tend to write short stories like short
novels, but I also enjoy other writers who create their short stories, more to
be a sucker punch or a sting in the tale build up. I personally enjoy writing
novels and shorts and writing a novel definitely stretches me a lot more.
Has parenthood changed you as a writer?
Or how you see the world?
It changes everything
haha! I started writing stories just before my first child came along, and it
was to kind of find another hobby that didn't take up masses
of time the way music had done. I think everything to do with
having children is great life experience and in general I'm glad I've
started properly to get into writing in my thirties. I don't think I could
have done it before.
What advice would you give for a writer
who would like to have their short stories published?
The main thing is to
have a really good draft to begin with. I also think it's important to realise
that you have to cast a wide net in all areas (searching for publishers,
agents, reviewers etc.) and that 95% will be rejection. You
just have to keep at it.
How did you find your publisher?
I submitted to a
number and had a few offers. Also plenty of rejection! I really liked
Solstice and they have been brilliant. They have published my novel and
short story collection.
What are you working on now?
My short story
collection was just released on 23rd March, so I'm busy with lots of the
promotional side. I've also just finished the first draft of my second novel
and I'm redrafting that at the moment too.
Final Words of Wisdom:
All
writers get rejected, but only those who keep at it, will become
authors!
Thanks for visiting Simon! Great to have you on my blog.
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