Interview with Tony Williams
Published 2014-11-12.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I am a big fan of the Kindle Paperwhite. It is perfect for reading everywhere and in all conditions, whether in bright sunlight or even in the dark!
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
The excitement that something really special might happen.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I tend to write in short bursts as and when I get the opportunity, so it is always a pleasure to see an initial idea take shape and build up into something substantial. The greatest joy has to be when the book is finished and published. I like to take a moment to stand back and admire my work - before starting on the next one!
What are you working on next?
I'm working on a series of guides about online marketing which is aimed at small businesses. I describe how best to create an online presence that is both effective and won't break the bank.
What is your writing process?
I mostly write non-fiction and like to plan the structure, usually by creating the chapter headings and perhaps a brief outline of the chapter contents. That's the fun part and when I'm inspired this happens really quickly as the ideas just seem to pop into my head. Once that's done the proper work of writing the full chapter content starts which I do on a PC or laptop. Lately, I have been writing out and about in cafes using my Chromebook, which I love.
How do you approach cover design?
I have some design skills and appropriate software so I usually create my covers myself. I find it helps to spend some time browsing other book covers for inspiration, either in book shops or online. Once I have a couple of ideas in mind I will play around with different layouts, colour combinations, fonts, etc until something starts to take shape.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I just always enjoyed writing. I like the planning and the process of putting it all together into something coherent that hopefully people will get something out of reading.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Twitter seems quite effective so far, provided appropriate hashtags are used ;-)
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
No, but I do remember creating a series of short stories when I was a child. They all featured a fictional dog called "Smuffy" who got into various scrapes and adventures. I was reading a lot of The Famous Five and The Secret Seven at the time, so I guess that's where my inspiration came from.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I work as a freelance Web designer and developer so spend most of my working day creating and updating websites for my clients, but when I'm not working I like to get out and enjoy the fresh air while cycling or walking.
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