Writer's Relay - A Writing Collab

Meet the Authors: Tim

Writer's Relay:
Dear Tim, we are super excited to have you participating in this unique collaboration with your fellow writers. Let's take this opportunity to know more about you, your writing journey, and your thoughts on Wattpad and the Writer's Relay event.

So, let's start with some warm up...

What prompted you to start writing on Wattpad, and what do you like most about the platform?

Tim:
I've done a lot of writing before, but, like a lot of people, I restarted writing over lockdown. I chose Wattpad because it seemed to have the largest readership; so I joined, published some stuff I'd written before and then put some new things out. What do I like about it? I like the friends I've made here!

WR:
Tell us one thing about your writing process that has helped you the most.

Tim:
I have learnt to plan. When I started writing I pantsed everything, and it was a mess. Over the years my work's gotten tighter and tighter, and that's entirely because I now don't start writing until I've done plenty of research and have a complete plot laid out. Oh, and I learnt all the keyboard shortcuts on my editor. Wanna up your real words per hour? Never, ever touch a mouse!

WR:
Which author has influenced your writing the most?

Tim:
There isn't one, because different writers have influenced me at different times. The most recent thing that blew me away was The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison. I love the texture and complexity of that story, told through a soft yet pitiless voice. I wish I had half her skill.

WR:
Where, would you say, do you stand in your writing journey?

Tim:
I'm at a point where I want to seriously up my game and get trad published. Which is hard, because subjecting yourself to the query roundabout is brutal. I'm a tough old robot though, so I'll cope with the rejection letters just fine.

WR:
Which of your own stories is closest to your heart?

Tim:
This is a tough one! I'm going to say The River Ghasts of Lid, the first story here. Over lockdown, because all the gyms were closed, I had to go running outside, and to keep myself amused I told myself stories, and some of them were good enough to write down, and this was one of them. It's a short, simple story, the whole thing is really just a single stupid joke; but it still makes me chuckle, and it was my first foray into fantasy having been an SF writer up to that point.

WR:
Share two Wattpad story recommendations. Include the usernames of the authors and why you enjoyed the stories.

Tim:
The first is a bit of cheat, but Wuckster 's 99 Stories About Chickens is an anthology close to my heart because, yes, I have a story in it, but the whole thing is really good. And he is still a long way from 99 stories, so you, oh reader, need to write him a chicken story. Right now!

Secondly I'm calling out RJGlynn 's epic short story Final Facet. This beat me fair and square in the Ooorah SF Smack Down, and she's an incredibly talented writer who is making big waves here. Go and read it, and the rest of her stuff, and then come back and thank me.

WR:
There is one question that many authors may have asked themselves, you included... But could there be one simple single answer? Let's hear from your thoughts...

What would be the perfect recipe for the next greatest novel of all time? One you would write or read.

Tim:
Oh man I don't know. I think if I did, I would have written it. The reality is that there isn't a formula, is there? Unless it has chickens in, I guess?

WR:
Now that we know more about you, we are curious about your involvement in the Writer's Relay adventure.

What was your first thought when seeing the Writer's Relay call for participants? Did you apply straight away or did you take time to ponder on your possible involvement?

Tim:
I've never worked cooperatively before, and it was very daunting. Yes, I wasn't going to do it, but jinnis told me she'd space me if I didn't. So here I am!

WR:
What do you hope to gain from collaborating with other writers on this Writers Relay initiative?

Tim:
I wanted to see how other people worked, and to learn from them, and maybe make some friends. I definitely have achieved the first two, and I hope I managed the last!

WR:
Now that you are well into this relay race, what do you think of your role in the collaboration?

Writing as a group is a bit like musicians performing in an orchestra. What is your instrument in this philharmonic? And what kind of symphony will come out?

Tim:
johnnedwill described this really well; it's not really a symphony, it's jazz, because we haven't run it like that. Every chapter has the writer's really distinct voice, which is really nice, but it means there isn't a seamless whole. Me? I'm like the Muppet Animal on the drums, not because it fits, but because that's my role model, and so that's who I wanna be.