Nosy? Feel free…
British by birth, international by choice. I’ve lived in four countries, which means four different cultures, and four ways of thinking. Without that behind me, I’d be a totally different person. Worse for it, I believe.
I was educated as an advertising copywriter, at the renowned Central St Martin’s School of Art in London, and went straight into one of London’s big ad agencies.
Therefore as a twenty-two year old, my path was laid out before me, and it was as straight as a Roman road. But if you can see everything before you’ve got there, then what’s the point going? I needed twists and turns.
So while young, I did a bit of everything: some soldiering, I taught people to ride motorcycles, I worked alongside a gamekeeper in a private forest, I even served tea once to HM Queen Elizabeth II. I repeatedly made these dramatic life changes, because I wanted to experience it all.
Inevitably though, in the end I returned to what I’d been trained to do.
In an exciting new international marketing role, I was writing press releases, marketing copy, and catalogue content for our products. Then I had a Eureka moment; I was regularly attending international events and wanted more magazine exposure for our products. I was also a trained writer, who’d already befriended the relevant editors, so the solution was obvious. I started to supply the magazines with mutually beneficial content.
That was 2001, and by 2004, I’d left marketing to become a full-time magazine writer and photographer. Something I’ve done ever since.
In those two decades I’ve shot images and written words, for magazines all around the world, about a huge variety of subjects. I’ve got a back catalogue of work that includes glossy calendars, non-fiction books, voice overs, motorcycle riding for TV, and still image creation for TV.
I’ve expanded my client base further still, by supplying similar images and words for commercial companies too, creating fresh new content for their magazine ads, catalogues, websites etc.
And now I’m side stepping into fiction. But instead of attempting to recycle formulaic characters and plots, by sticking closely to the successful routes taken by others; I’ve worked hard to use the twists and turns of a varied life, and the cultures experienced, to create something completely new, exciting and enveloping.
Books are special, because the way they involve us is unique. Unlike other storytelling methods, which cast actors and choose locations, leaving us as mere spectators; a book has the ability to work in conjunction with our own brains, allowing us to create a world that is part author creation, and part our own. I’ve ensured that the characters are yours, as much as mine. Their individual roles have been carefully researched too, as you’d expect from an experienced magazine journalist. But I’ve also given each character their own voice, not only in terms of dialogue, but their inner self too, and the story line switches perspectives constantly, creating an understanding, even empathy for all characters involved.
Having such a variety of writing experience in my rear-view, I also selected the style of writing to assist with the story’s flow. Hit & Split is an intense story, it tracks fast moving events, and the chosen style encourages you to read at speed. Binge read even. The most enthusiastic feedback has come from those who’ve gone from cover to cover, in just a few short days.
It’s early days for this change, but I’m extremely encouraged by how positive the feedback has been. So if you’re in the market for something new to read give Hit & Split a go, and if you enjoy the reader experience then reach out and let me know. I’m a very down to earth person, always happy to chat, and if I know that enough people enjoyed the book, similar stories will follow.
Simon
