"Sharing writing successes - and rookie mistakes - since 2006"

Monday, November 27, 2006

Radio Days, Sleepless Nights

I’m now 32. I don’t feel like I’m 32, just perhaps 23 with a few more major experiences under my belt.
On my birthday I had my first radio interview. It could be my first and only interview (you just don’t know in this game) but I understand from those who tuned in, did not tune out, and I came across quite well apparently. And that’s despite having the interview at 9:30 in the morning – a time I very rarely see on Sundays (yes, I know… that will change whenever we have a family, but like I said, I’m just a 23 year old at heart!). I was half asleep, perhaps too groggy to be truly nervous, and with little idea of what to expect. As it turned out the interview with BBC Radio Sheffield’s Dean Pepall was a more personal one, with asides to my writing. It was a little tough at first but I soon relaxed into it and the interview flew by. Like all of these things, you never know how it will translate into book sales, especially with it being around 6 weeks before the novel hits the shelves, but hopefully the title, The Secret War, will have imprinted on a few listeners’ thoughts…

…And last night I had my first sleepless night due to my book. Again, a first for me, that I should have not-so much a nightmare about The Secret War, but a restless and vivid dream about something that is increasingly taking over my waking and sleeping life (which isn’t a bad thing… there are worse things to become obsessed about!). The dream itself revolved around a mistake in publication where one of the rough drafts was published instead of the final draft. It was then proof-read in hardback copy by someone at work who scrawled red pen over the problem areas. It was soul destroying to see the book torn apart especially with it being a couple of days away from being reviewed by the Press – kinda like watching your ambition being trampled upon by a herd of hungry rhinos.
I woke up at first believing it was all true until the first reality check occurred with the weekday 7am radio alarm.
I’ll tell you now, the relief was overwhelming.

I think I’m beginning to understand how important this book is to me. I knew before that I was fulfilling a dream, but it’s more than that. It’s an opportunity that I cannot squander. John Highfield of the Sheffield Star told me I should take advantage of everything that comes my way over the coming months and revel in the exposure because it may not ever happen again. Everyone has their ten minutes of fame. Some of us get extra time if we’re lucky.

I wonder how lucky I’ll be? If extra time does come my way, then I think I can live with a few restless nights.