Title: Travel Unravelled
Author: Dave Tomlinson
Release Date: 11th August 2015
BLURB from Goodreads
Travel Unravelled is the ultimate guide that takes you through travel planning, trip preparation and on amazing journeys. It's everything you need to travel better, further and for longer!
Author: Dave Tomlinson
Release Date: 24th January 2016
BLURB from Goodreads
Around the World in 80 Tales is a collection of true stories from my travels through 25 countries across five continents. It's a fascinating journey that includes the amusing, amazing and even a little crazy. Collectively, my stories are captivating insights into travelling the world on a budget.
Goodreads Link
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Well both these titles are going on my Want To Read Wishlist. I do love a "different" read, something with a bit of humour! It's also great to hear about different places in the world. ~ Jeanz
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My
name is Dave Tomlinson and I was born in the south island of New Zealand. I now call Brisbane, Australia my home.
Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I’ve
always enjoyed writing and describing my travels through emails and my
blog. After different people suggesting
that I should write a book, that’s what I decided to do!
When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?
There’s
a genuine feeling of accomplishment in seeing your first book completed. The book was a natural progression from my
other writing.
Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
It
was self-published as an eBook on both my website and Amazon Kindle so it
wasn’t long at all!
Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I do
document control/records management work on a contract basis while also
developing my Step Ahead Travel website.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in
less than 20 words what would you say?
My
latest book is called Around the World in 80 Tales. A summary in less than 20 words? 80 stories, 25 countries, 5 continents, one
heck of a ride!
Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I’m self-publishing
for now, although I may get my books printed in the future.
How long does it usually take you to
write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
How
long is a piece of string? My two books
to date are very different in their length and content so have varied
greatly. I probably take longer than
other authors because I strive for the best quality writing and presentation.
Which of your books were
easier/harder to write than the others?
The
guide book Travel Unravelled was more difficult in that it required more
research. Around the World in 80 Tales
was more about expressing in words what was already in my mind.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a
different genre?
A
good question and one that I’m pondering at the moment! Travel is my passion so don’t be surprised
with I stay with that same theme. It
offers many different options!
Do you have plans for a new book? Is
this book part of a series?
No
immediate plans, but it’s possible that Around the World in 80 Tales will have
a sequel. After so much travel, there
are plenty more stories to tell!
What genre would you place your books
into?
Non-fiction/travel.
What made you decide to write that
genre of book?
I
love adventure! I wrote Travel
Unravelled to inspire people to live their travel dreams and also show them how
to do it. Around the World in 80 Tales brings
to life the wonderful highs and some gritty realities of budget travel.
Do you have a favourite out of the
books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
I
like both my books for different reasons.
No favourites!
How long have you been writing?, and
who or what inspired you to write?
In
one form or another, I’ve been writing for years. It’s something that’s in the family because
my father has written a couple of books and my grandmother was a good writer
and poet.
Where do you get your book plot ideas
from? What/Who is your inspiration?
My
books are non-fiction so I draw my inspiration from my real life
experiences. Travel and other cultures
provide a rich kaleidoscope of unique experiences that I love being able to
share with others.
Do you have a certain routine you
have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
Not
really. I tend to write a lot at the
library which offers a pleasant and generally productive environment to work
in.
Do you have anybody read your books
and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner,
children, friends, reviewers you know?
Yes,
I like to offer my book to a few trusted friends and family. Mum is an excellent proof reader and I like
getting honest feedback from several sources on my writing.
Do you gift books to readers to do
reviews?
Yes,
I think is an excellent way to market a book.
Some authors are afraid of getting a poor review but if it’s honest and
fair then I’m happy.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Absolutely! I want to know what the readers think because
it helps to improve my future writing.
What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
I’m a
new author and at the time of writing this I only have one review. But it is very positive and hopefully I’ll
receive many more that are similar!
Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all
positive about your book/books?
No. That would destroy the credibility of the
reviewer and create an unfair perception of my book. I understand that books are a subjective
experience and what one reader doesn’t like, another one will love. We must take the good with the bad!
How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books?
Who designed the Cover of your books?
The
book titles and cover designs are all my own ideas. I have since realised that there are a few
other books titled Around the World in 80 Tales but still feel this is perfect
for my book.
Do you choose a title first, or write
the book then choose the title?
Good
question and in both cases it was the book that came before the title. This was because in both cases I didn’t even
realise that the various chapters would eventually be combined into a book!
How do you market/promote your books?
I
think networking and being active on social media is a good place to
start. If you can get friends and page
followers to share posts then it becomes a powerful tool. Getting reviews and exposure on book blogging
sites is great also.
What do you think makes a book a
really good/bestseller?
Author
reputation is the most obvious way but a best-selling book needs to have top
quality content. There’s no two ways
about that!
Have you ever suffered from a
"writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
I can
see that it could happen to fiction writers but I haven’t suffered this
problem. If I’m having trouble
expressing or describing something as I’d like then it’s often best to take a
break and come back to it later.
What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I
enjoy walking, running and cycling but if I’m not feeling so energetic then
relaxing with a movie or book can be great.
Are there any hidden messages or
morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of
"The moral of this story is..")
My
messages aren’t so much hidden as loud and clear! Over the years, I’ve found myself in plenty
of unique and challenging situations.
I’ve learned some lessons the hard way so my readers won’t have to!
Is there a certain Author that
influenced you in writing?
I
enjoyed the writing of ‘Hap’ Cameron who wrote the book ‘Working the
World’. His style influenced me in being
expressive and entertaining.
Which format of book do you prefer,
ebook, hardback, or paperback?
Call
me old-fashioned but I probably prefer a book that you can hold, smell and turn
the pages of. Being a traveller,
paperback usually suits me just fine.
What is your favourite book and
Why? Have you read it more than once?
Choosing
a favourite book is like people getting me to choose a favourite country – it’s
just too difficult! I’ve read many great
books but unfortunately life is too short to go back and read them again
though.
Do you think books transfer to movies
well? Which is you favourite/worst book
to movie transfer?
Some
do but others don’t. I enjoyed seeing
the Da Vinci Code brought to life on the screen but the movie lost a lot of fascinating
information in the book. Jack Reacher
would have been better if Tom Cruise wasn’t miscast into the lead role.
What are you currently reading? Are
you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
I’m
reading a novel called ‘Close to Home’ by Lisa Jackson in paperback. Rather slow going and not one of my favourites
I have to admit!
Do you think ebooks will ever totally
replace printed books?
No, I
think there will always be a place for printed books, especially in the
children’s genre.
Do you think children at schools
these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginative writing?
I’m
not a parent with a child in school so it’s difficult to comment on this.
Did you read a lot at school and
write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
We
didn’t have television at home when I was growing up so I read a lot. English was my favourite subject at high
school as my love of writing began to develop.
Did you have a favourite author as a
child?
Franklin
W. Dixon, who wrote the Hardy Boys mystery series. I think I worked my way through the entire
series!
Do you have a treasured book from
your childhood? If yes, what is it?
Not
one in particular but like nearly every other child, I just loved Dr Seuss
books!
Do you have a favourite genre of
book?
If I’m
reading fiction, I enjoy crime/suspense with some romance thrown in.
Is there a book you know you will
never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
Not
sure that I could ever attempt to read War and Peace!
Are there any New Authors you are
interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
There
aren’t any just now but being an Indie author, I am always ready to take an
interest in new authors and support their work if I can
Is there anything in your book/books
you would change now if you could and what would it be?
I’ve
learned that less can sometimes be more.
It’s one of the reasons why I’ve intentionally edited all the stories in
my latest book to 500 words.
What do you think about book
trailers?
Trailers
for books or movies are a great idea.
When done well, they offer exciting glimpses and compelling reasons why
you must read or watch.
What piece of advice would you give
to a new writer?
Good
question! Be expressive and descriptive;
paint a colourful picture for your reader.
Write plenty while you feel inspired because the next time you sit down
it may not flow quite so easily.
Do you or would you ever use a pen
name?
No, I
don’t see a need just the same as I don’t quite understand why ghost writers do
what they do. If you have a talent for
writing why not receive the appropriate credit for it?
If you could invite three favourite
writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?
Hap
Cameron, because he had such an extraordinary journey working in every
continent before he was 30. Dan Brown,
because his books contain such intriguing factual information. Lee Child, because I’d love deeper insights
into Jack Reacher.
Blog: http://alluringadventures.blogspot.co.nz/
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/stepaheadtravel
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15018336.Dave_Tomlinson
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/stepaheadtravel
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Wkn4ES
Other:
www.stepaheadtravel.com
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