Please welcome Mick Arnold who writes as M W Arnold to my blog. Hello Mick. Welcome to my blog. Shall we have a chat?

Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?

Like a lot of authors, I’d thought about writing a book for years, it was only after I’d read a specific book (which I’m ashamed to say I can’t place right now) though that I felt I had to pick up my laptop and give it a go. That was around 7 or 8 years ago now, though that book has never seen the light of day.

How difficult was it writing your first book?

Surprisingly easy-ish. That’s probably because I had no idea what I was doing, how long it should be, how or where to finish it; let alone how to write. Wow, I was in for such a shock, and I also found I seemed to be a ‘panster’ type of writer; that’s someone who doesn’t plan (though I admit to knowing where I shall begin and how I’d like it to end).

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

Oh, quite a few times. Especially when I had a few health problems a few years ago and simply didn’t want to even try to write. This was when I was writing romance, or trying to, but a very good author friend – Elaine Everest, who very sadly passed away not long ago – talked my ear off and advised me to give a different genre a go. I happened to be watching a documentary on tv about the Air Transport Auxiliary at the time and that’s how I came to be writing historical fiction. I’ll never forget Elaine for that.

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

Even though I write something my lady wife would never read (not enough gruesome murders for her), I’d have to say she’s been behind me all the way, as has mu sister-in-law. Above all, I’m going to give a big shout out for the friend’s I’ve met through the Romantic Novelist’s Association, and it’s New Writer’s Scheme. This is a society I would recommend any aspiring writer to join, if you’re even semi-serious about becoming an author.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Simply that you have my profound Thank You, for finding and coming back to my books. You make me feel so welcome.

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

If it’s regarding becoming an author then, read, and keep reading, even when you manage to get published. Don’t let failure keep you from persisting, as you’ll find very few authors who get published with their first attempt. Reading will help you find your style, yourself, everyone’s an individual and you would be as an author.

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

I believe most of my readers are women from 16 to 90+, and everyone in between. I’ve had praise for my female characters and their realism, which makes me incredibly happy as around 90% of those I write are women, of around the above age groups.

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

Funnily enough, my covers, for both my current series, are created by the Vice President of my publisher and as she’s in the USA (so we communicate by email) which makes communication quite slow, she does take notice of what I believe the covers should look like. I can’t draw a beer, let alone a book cover!

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

Well, my second Lumberjills book is going through the editing process with my publisher at this moment, and will be titled, ‘The Lumberjills Take a Stand’. Currently, I’m writing the Air Transport Auxiliary Mystery Club book 7, so I’m back to my first love.

Any last words before we wrap things up?

Only, thank you very much for having me on your blog, Mary, it’s been a lot of fun. All my very best to you and your readers, take good care.

You are welcome!

Deception, Danger & Doris…oh my!

Tagline:
Few things are what they appear to be as Doris Johnson finds herself on her own and out of her comfort zone.

Blurb:
Air Transport Auxiliary pilot Doris Johnson is sent on a solo trip, escorting a British General on a secret mission to Scotland, vital to the success of D-Day, the forthcoming invasion of Nazi occupied France.

Her natural inquisitiveness means her life is in put in great danger and she’ll need more than her superb flying skills to survive.

Doris has to trust her own instincts, and those of the new friends she makes, so that everyone comes through their adventures in one piece. Not everything is as it seems, sometimes by design, as she faces whatever is thrown at her with a determined smile and the spirit to stand fast for what is good and right.

Logline:
On a solo mission to Scotland, Doris Johnson finds herself embroiled in an undertaking vital to the success of D-Day which, if it fails, would mean certain death for many of those about to embark upon the greatest invasion history would see and which brings out strength of character she never knew she possessed.

Author Bio:

Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of the late HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force, before putting down roots and realising how much he missed the travel. This, he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels.

He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian Were-Cats bent on world domination, is mad on the music of the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United-supporting wife. (Please don’t mention this last to her!)

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Social Media Links:

facebook.com/MWArnoldAuthor

Twitter – mick859

Instagram – Mick859

YouTube Channel –tinyurl.com/bde2rajj

Buying links – Doris Flies Solo:

Amazon Universal – mybook.to/DFS

iBooks – tinyurl.com/uuv55yps

Nook – tinyurl.com/4sjcdwxy

Chick Lit video link – https://www.facebook.com/live/producer/840888174701567/