Hugh will be launching his short story collection "Glimpses" at the X-Mas Book Fair in Llandeilo on Dec 10th and read for us from his work. Here is an interview with the man himself:
Kev’s Author Interviews Presents:
Hugh W. Roberts!
Tell us a bit about yourself, Hugh.
Hi Kev, thank you so much for inviting me over to your blog today.
My Name is Hugh W. Roberts. I live in Swansea, in South Wales in the United Kingdom. I’m Welsh, but only moved back to live in Wales last year.
I am dyslexic and for many years allowed it to stop me writing. However, when I discovered blogging, back in February 2014, new doors opened for me and my writing.
Kev: What’s your latest book called and how did you come up with the title?
The book is called Glimpses. I came up with the title one night. In fact, it woke me up! As the book contains 28 short stories, I thought it a great title because that is what the reader will get – a glimpse into the lives of characters who have no idea what is awaiting them.
Kev: Which Genre do you have it listed under and does it cross any other genres?
It’s listed under short stories and anthologies. However, the stories cover many genres including, Science Fiction, Horror, Comedy, Fantasy, Drama, LGBT and Supernatural.
Kev: Tell us a little bit more about it.
Glimpses contains 28 short stories about characters who have no idea that life is about to take them on un-expectant twists and turns. Many of the characters will come face to face with the dark side of my writing, whilst some will encounter happiness, saddens and other emotions in an unexpected way.
Here’s the synopsis for the book.
After publishing some of his short stories on his blog, Hugh W. Roberts, who suffers from dyslexia, received numerous requests to publish his short stories in a book.
Here, at last, are 28 short stories that will take your mind on a rollercoaster of a ride into worlds that conceal unexpected twists and turns.
‘Glimpses’ allows the reader a peek into the lives of everyday people who are about to have life lead them on an unpredicted path. From a mysterious deadly iPad app, to a hole in the fence that is not all it seems, to a strange lipstick that appears to have a life of its own, you will encounter terror, laughter, sadness, shock and many other emotions on journeys which promise a thrilling and gripping climax.
If you are a lover of shows such as ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘Tales Of The Unexpected’, then you’re in for a real treat with this first collection of short stories from Hugh.
Dare you take a glimpse into the lives of these unsuspecting characters?
Kev: Introduce us to one of your main characters.
As it’s a book of short stories, I’ve chosen to introduce you to Amy Lushwick, who is the only character in my short story ‘Lipstick.’
Amy is a very attractive young woman in her early twenties, who has a passion for shopping, epically when she can get herself a great bargain. She loves her clothes and shoes, and has a pair of stiletto heels for every occasion. She has shoulder length bleach blond hair, big brown eyes (and flutters her long eyelashes a lot), is beautiful looking, works out at the gym every day, and is very careful with what she eats to keep her figure trim. She knows she is good looking and uses this to her full advantage when it comes to getting what she wants. She’s fun to go out with and has more male friends than female friends, but she’ll have no hesitation in stabbing her family or friends in the back when things don’t go her way. She loves to look at herself in the mirror and spends hours getting ready for a night out. Amy lives alone in a rather nice apartment, but is never short on visitors. That’s all I better say about her without spoiling her story.
Kev: Provide a teaser/short passage from your book.
As Amy Lushwick squashed the umpteenth little creature with the front end of her eight-inch stiletto heeled shoe, she smiled again. She hated the little blighters and had no idea why there had been so many of them or where they were coming from.
She’d almost finished painting her lips with the brightest of red lipstick when she thought to herself how gorgeous she looked. No man would turn her down tonight; she would have the pick of the bunch.
The lipstick had been a bargain. She had been hesitant to buy it from the online auction site at first because the seller had no selling feedback. However, even though it had lain in the drawer of her dressing table for a few months, she was now convinced that just by wearing it she would become the sexiest woman alive and it would bring her all the attention she desired. She smiled to herself as she knew she would be the envy of some of her ‘not so’ close friends.
Just as she was about to apply the last bit of lipstick, something caught her eye. It looked like a very small piece of cotton sticking out the side of the lipstick. With the tips of her brightly painted finger and thumbnail she went to pull at it and watched in disbelief as it disappeared into the lipstick. Had she been seeing things or had it really just disappeared?
***
Kev: When you wrote this work, did you write off-the-cuff or use some kind of formula like an outline?
Most of the stories in the book were created because I enjoy participating in writing challenges. Sometimes, I will see a challenge, or a photo, and the story will come straight to me. I write off-the-cuff but many of the stories have been rewritten for the book because all but one were first published on my blog. I do also have a novel in progress but even that has been written off-the-cuff.
Kev: Did you research for the backdrop of your story or any other part of it?
I did do some research for some of the stories, but I didn’t spend days on end researching. I’d rather write than research and will only delve into researching if I really have to.
Kev: What challenges did this particular work pose for you?
By far, the most difficult challenge was writing the synopsis. I had no difficultly writing a synopsis for each of the stories, but when it came to writing one for the whole book, I found myself completely out of my comfort zone. I asked for help from the blogging community and was amazed with the response. In fact, if it wasn’t for the blogging community, then this book would not have seen the light of day. They have been very supportive and have encourage me all the way.
Kev: What methods are using to promote this work?
I’ve been invited to do lots of interviews and guest posts throughout the blogging world. I’ll be running a competition when the book is launched, which will run for three months. I’m also doing my very first book fair as a published author, in Llandeilo, on December 10th. I’m looking forward to this very much as it will give me the chance to meet those readers and maybe get to sign a few of my books. I’ve also been in touch with some local book shops who support local authors and am hoping I’ll be asked to do some talks at some author workshops.
Kev: Do you have any advice for new authors?
- Give as much of your time as possible to getting your first book finished and published.
- Take a break from blogging if you need to and, whatever you do, don’t get stressed out about any of the process.
- If you find it’s becoming too much, then walk away from it and take a break. Relax, spend some time doing something else.
- Don’t neglect your family or friends during the process.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for advice. You’ll be surprised by just how many published authors and writers are willing to help.
- Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot publish a book. Being dyslexic, I lost count by how many times I was told that it would not be possible for me to publish a book.
- Ensure you get your book edited and ask for some volunteers to beta read it for you.
- Network with other writers and authors both at events such as book fairs and author workshops as well as on your blog and the blogs of other writers.
- Always, always ensure you go out of your way to respond to comments left on your blog. Never ignore comments. Treat anyone visiting your blog, author page or webpage as a customer.
- Most of all, enjoy writing. Have fun with it and never be afraid to show off your work.
Glimpses Pre-order (Clicky the picy)
Connect with Hugh:
Let’s Hear it for Hugh, Everyone!
On the Saturday, April 29th, the focus of the festival and therefor of the book fair will be on children's books, family entertainment and poetry (although this is not binding and you should be able to find good books of all genres on both days).
Penny Luker, Carol Lovekin, Jan Newton, Thorne Moore, Sue Moules, Kathy Miles, Sally Spedding, Alys Einion, Carole Ann Smith, Sion Tomos Owen, Lisa Shambrook, Phil Carradice, Sarah Jane Butfield, Mary Powles, Haydn Corper, Julian Dutton, Sarada and John Thompson, Christoph Fischer and Kate Glanville.
On Sunday the festival and book fair focus is on writing as a craft, historical and literary fiction.
Josephine Hammond, Nicola Beechsquirrel, Greg Howes, Judith Arnopp, David Evans and Richard Foreman.
