Interview with author Andrew Bell

Welcome! Whether it’s your first time here at The Writing Piazza or you’re a TWPeep, we are so glad you have decided to spend some time with us! This is the latest #fridayguestinterview and we are excited to have author Andrew Bell. Andrew why don’t you start by telling my readers a little bit about yourself.

Andrew:
As you know my name is Andrew Bell and I’m living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I’ve been writing on and off since mid-2000. Honestly more off than on.

The Writing Piazza:
Aren’t most of us writers more off than on? LOL Sorry, I couldn’t resist. But you were on long enough to write a book series which is a huge accomplishment! You wrote Flight of Man can you tell us a little about it?

Andrew:
Yes, the Flight of Man is the title of my science fiction trilogy. It’s an epic adventure spanning almost 200,000 words. It was a thrilling trip just writing this story. I’m hoping readers will get wrapped up in it like I was.

The Writing Piazza:
I think those are the best kinds of stories, when we write the kind of tales that we’d like to read. I believe those are the ones that turn out the best. Can you tell us about your journey to become a published author?

Andrew:
Well, in the summer of 2000 I was getting ready to head to college for a diploma in accounting. Working in a minimum wage job, I was bored. Day dreaming was and is a common thing for me but the summer I began to write down some of the ‘what ifs’. The little work at my job meant a lot of time writing. As the story wound on it became clear that there was a big story coming.

Through school and part-time work over the next 2 years I had half the book written. It took another 8 years to finish the full story. At that point I began exploring publication. Lots of rejection letters with minimal feedback. I finally came to Custom Book Publication out of Hong Kong. With their help the book got polished and beefed up before getting released. Part 1 – Eden Soldiers – is out now and part 2 – Saturn’s Vanguard – is slated for release in October.

The Writing Piazza:
This industry is full of rejection letters and minimum feedback. But persistence can and does pay off. That’s great that you finally found someone to help you get it published. It’s so exciting to see your work out there for the world to read.

Writing is full of ups and downs, what would you say, was the greatest challenge you faced when writing your books?

Andrew:
Writing was an adventure for sure. I found that writer’s block was a big issue. It was like trying to push a boulder down a hill. Incredibly difficult to get it rolling, easy to get distracted or give up but once it starts, the words flow fast. The block is a formidable adversary.

The Writing Piazza:
That it is, that it is! I have had several run-ins with the infamous block. It is a formidable foe. But one that can be vanquished with random bursts of inspiration from our everyday lives. Speaking of, how much of your own real life experiences are reflected in your book?

Andrew:
Not much, I’d say. Obviously a futuristic story is beyond my life but I did manage to put some of my personality into a few of the characters.

The Writing Piazza:
I think what really helps make the characters come alive is when we put little pieces of ourselves in them. How about what you hope readers get out of your story, what message do you hope to impart to those who read your books?

Andrew:
It’s going to sound corny but I want readers to come away with a sense of hope for the future, for the species. I know this an apocalyptic story but that’s the message I want to be taken away.

The Writing Piazza:
Hope is never corny. It’s a good takeaway message. I love seeing authors that use their powers of storytelling for good. 🙂

Speaking of using your powers for good, let’s talk about some things that can do some good for our fellow writers. I like to talk about lessons authors have learned along the way of becoming a published author. What’s something you know now that you wish you knew before you started?

Andrew:
The length of time it takes to bring the end of a story to paper. So much can happen from the first letter to the final period.

I’d also want to know that getting through the publication process is very long process.

The Writing Piazza:
Yeah, I think that’s a common misconception. Especially in today’s world we expect results quickly or we tend to write things off. But writing and being published is a long road to travel so make sure you bring snacks. 🙂

Do you have any other advice for writers who are writing and/or attempting to publish their work?

Andrew:
Patience. If a person is wanting to write as a profession they must have patience.

The Writing Piazza:
Ah yes, one of the virtues I struggle with most! It is a difficult thing, waiting, being patient. But it is essential.

Before we end the interview, I always have to ask, are you currently working on another book?

Andrew:
There are a lot of ideas vying for my attention but I am currently working on another near future Sci-Fi. I think readers will get some satisfaction from the character’s actions against real-world type events.

The Writing Piazza:
Sounds exciting! I wish you the best of luck with all your endeavors. And thank you so much for your time and for being a guest on my blog! For those interested in connecting with you, how may they do so?

Andrew:
I can always be found on Twitter at @Abellnovel. Thank you for the invitation.

Additional story material can be found at www.flightofman.blogspot.com

Erik’s journal entries should be read after the chapters with the matching chapter dates.

The Writing Piazza
This concludes this week’s guest interview. A huge thank you to those of you reading this interview, you are amazing and we’re so grateful you took the time to be here with us today. You’re the reason we take the time to put these interviews together and we hope you enjoy them and learn a lot from them. May your week be filled with adventure and happiness. You all come back now, ya hear!

Until we meet again.