About
Interview with author Quentin Cope
Q: What is your take on the importance of a good cover and title for your book?
A: An eye catching cover and title that accurately reflect the fiction or non-fiction story-line of your book are essential. One point to consider is that the cover must transmit information to the potential reader in seconds ... and this must be legible not only as a full high definition artwork but also as a very small thumbnail object for catalogue listing.
Q: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
A: If you want to write successful fiction you need to have the right IDEA! You need to be INSPIRED, DETERMINED, ENERGIZED and AMBITIOUS. You will, without doubt, become 'drained' and 'stressed' if you attempt to tackle such a monumental task without the security of these essential creative foundations to build upon. An unfortunate fact is that 97% of writers never complete their book or novel project!
Q: Many people are unsure about the writing process seeing it sometimes described as an ‘art’ above all else. What are your thoughts on that?
A: Writing is simply a skill and one you can train yourself to master in the same way you would train to improve any other kind of skill. A wordsmith is not born … a wordsmith learns his or her craft over a period of years. It starts with having a complete knowledge of the language you are writing in of course.
Q: Do you consider fiction to be a difficult start for the first time writer?
A: Writing fiction is a very orderly process, so you need to start in an orderly fashion. Firstly, you will need to create a new folder on your PC specifically for your book. Give it a title, maybe the working title of the book itself or simply 'My Book'. Everything, and I really do mean 'everything', to do with your book will go into this folder. This may sound a little trite, but the first stage of getting organized to write your book is very important, because whatever you are planning to write, you will need to 'plan' the writing of it. Fiction is built on a mixed platform of fantasy and reality … so if you have a mind filled with fantastic ideas and a plethora of real experiences, then writing good fiction is no more difficult than any other genre.
Q: Can real people become part of the mix in the fantasy world of ‘fiction’?
A: Most who write fiction do so by referring to a memory bank of people, places and events needing to be recalled in order to mix with a set of fictional circumstances that actually make up the story. A fiction writer is simply a 'story teller' who will often admit that many of the characters, some of the places and an embellished set of events, have been gathered together from real memories of real people in real situations.
Q: From your point of view, is there any real secret to the process of simply writing?
A: There is no secret other than planning … and then sticking to the plan. However, you do need help, no matter how good you think you are as a writer; help from family to give you the time to write and help from friends to provide sensible critique.
Q: Once you have finished your book, is self-publishing a good option or should a new writer persevere in the laborious task of finding a traditional publisher.
A: In the midst of this rather frantic 21st Century, self-publishing with a good name like Amazon will cost you nothing, give you a worldwide shop front, provide you with excellent quality paperback and hardback product at cost, help you with free marketing initiatives and always pay you on time. Compared to many of the other options available who ply their trade under the shady banner of 'publishing' ... what’s not to like about that?
Q: Considering the broad selection of books you have published over the past years, do you have a particular favourite?
A: No. My most favourite book is always the last one to be published … and this is the little something that drives me on to write the next one … and the best one!
Quentin Cope - Bio.
Hello, my name is Quentin Cope, and I am a writer with a love for storytelling and inspiring others through literature. With many years experience, I have established myself as a professional writer of novels and producer of writer’s reference books.
My journey as a writer began with a love for reading and an insatiable curiosity for the power of words. As I became fully engaged in the world of literature, I discovered my own unique writing style and a particular voice, which I have honed and developed over the years. Through many hours of dedication and hard work, I feel I have become a master of the writing process, with a more than passing knowledge of the complexities of storytelling.
As a novelist, I have had the opportunity to create vivid and compelling worlds, filled with relatable characters and some thought-provoking themes. My novels are based upon rich storytelling, emotional depth, and powerful messages. I take great pride in my ability to transport readers into the minds and hearts of my characters, allowing them to experience a range of emotions and perspectives.
In addition to my work as a novelist, I am also a producer of writer’s reference books. Knowing the struggles and challenges that aspiring writers face on a day to day basis, I have made it my mission to provide them with the knowledge and guidance they need to succeed. My reference books are comprehensive and practical, covering a wide range of topics and writing techniques. I regularly update and expand my reference book offering to provide writers with the most up-to-date and relevant information in a rapidly changing world of technology and production processes.
Aside from my writing career, I am also a firm believer in giving back to the writing community. I am an active member of various writing groups and organizations, where I offer my knowledge and expertise to aspiring writers. I am also available to conduct writing workshops and seminars, where I share my experiences and insights on the writing process.
I am constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to expand my writing skills and knowledge. Whether it's through collaborating with other writers or taking on new genres, as you can see from my back catalogue, I am always pushing the boundaries to grow and evolve as a writer.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my writing journey. I am excited to continue creating meaningful and impactful stories, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love for writing with others.