Welcome Allan Hudson to my blog. Hello Alan! Shall we have a chat?

Contact Allan via his website: http://www.southbranchscribbler.com

1. Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Thank you for having me as a guest, Mary.

I live on the east coast of Canada with my wife, Gloria. In the city of Dieppe, not far from the Atlantic.  Recently retired, I’ve been fortunate to have more time to write my stories and a cooperative partner who knows I’m not ignoring her. I have a wonderful supportive family and I’m so grateful for my readers.

• Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book? (If you are here as an invite to promo your small business, then please write your own questions and provide relevant photos and links, thank you.)

I’ve always been an avid reader and had an itch to write something. I took some creative writing classes and dabbled in short stories but I started writing later in life. One of my favourite authors started in his fifties and I was inspired by his success. I was the same age so why not? I made a rough simple outline and started writing.

• How difficult was it writing your first book?

There were some true learning curves. There was quite a bit of the early writing that ended in Delete. Reading, seeking advice, referring to my old course notes, the story started slow but eventually took shape. I’m thankful for other authors who were generous with their own experience.

• Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

There was once. I received a bad review from an author. It wasn’t the bad part that bothered me but it was vicious in it’s delivery, the remarks cutting and hurtful. I quit. I shut down my blog, cancelled all my SM, vowed I would never write again. But I didn’t give up. You’ll find out why in the next question.

• Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

My terrific partner has always been there. Sharing ideas, opinions, listening to me reading, suggestions. During the low period, she pointed out all the good things people were saying, even strangers, about the story, built my confidence back up.

• Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

The most important thing I want to say is a huge thank you. Thanks for reading my stories, for the nice reviews and comments and your support.

• What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

One of the comments made by best-selling author, Michael Connelly, was to write every day, even if only for fifteen minutes. It’s been my mantra when I don’t feel like writing but need to get words on paper.

• What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

My favourite genre has always been thriller, action & adventure and most of my stories fall into this category. I have a series of vigilantes, taking the law in their own hands and another of a cop who discovers crimes too close to home. I also enjoy historical fiction, especially during World War II in which my newest release takes place in 1941.

• Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

The cover for Iron Spear was designed by Donna Dean out of Vancouver and she did a wonderful job in providing the mysterious image on the cover. We shared ideas and felt this one fit best.

1. What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

I am working on Vol. 2 of the Alexanders. 1921 – 1930. The first Volume was highly successful and my readers have been asking for more. I expect to complete it by Spring, ’23.

Excerpt:

Holding a cup of coffee in his hand, he gazes at his reflection in the window. Even though people back home in Scotland told him he has his father’s eyes, his narrow face, firm chin and straight hair remind him of his mother. It also reminds him of the woman he spied briefly at the pier in Halifax several weeks ago when he saw his sister, Lilly, and her husband, Ivan, off on their trip back to Scotland to visit their family. He only saw the lady’s profile before she turned away. For the few moments he watched her, she reminded him of his mother. The stylish hat was pulled down low over her brow. The woman had a familiar gait he could’ve sworn he’d seen before, the way her hips swayed, the lopsided walk similar to his mother’s from when she broke her ankle as a teenager. But it was impossible to be her. Or was it?

Dominic’s mother disappeared eight years ago. Left her family behind and moved away with a stranger he has yet to figure out who he was. So much grief had passed in the years after her husband died in a boating accident and left her with seven children and no money. She had to leave the five oldest children with other relatives and it broke her heart. Dominic went to stay with his bachelor uncle, Duff.

1. Any last words before we wrap things up?

Only another thank you, Mary, for your continuous and generous support.