The only thing worse than editing is not editing.

Chris Wimpress – 19 June 2014

The Back Flap

It’s late afternoon in the tiny Portuguese fishing village of Naviras, where Eleanor Weeks is sipping wine and watching the ocean. Even though she’s been there dozens of times, how she arrived that particular afternoon is a mystery to her. Until she remembers she’s the wife of the British prime minister, and that she’s just been killed in a terrorist attack.

About the book

What is the book about?

It’s about the unintended consequences of allowing certain things to take over your life. It’s about a woman who falls in love with a village and two of the people who live there, but who ends up being the wife of the British prime minister, secretly on antidepressants and haunted by the secrets she holds and cynical from the things she knows about her husband and his political team.

When did you start writing the book?

May 2011

How long did it take you to write it?

About two years

Where did you get the idea from?

Holidays in Portugal, mostly. And from having an office in the British Parliament, that’s an education.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Most parts.

What came easily?

The middle came easier. I was lucky to know the ending fairly early on.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

All the politicians and their associates are fictitious. The people in Naviras are like more real people.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’m 36 now, and I’d say these were the ages I met some of the big ones. George Orwell (14), Mary Shelley (15), Robert Harris (16), William Blake (19) Alistair Grey (21), Margaret Atwood (22). Neil Gaiman (27).

Then it goes a bit tits-up. Since I’ve been about 28 I’ve become more of a non-fiction reader.

Do you have a target reader?

Someone who’s interested in how politics works, maybe?

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Writing in the right order, more or less. Early in the morning, ideally from about 5:!5am until 7am, or before everyone around you wakes up.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I don’t outline. Sometimes I write bits that might go later, but they often don’t end up in the final draft.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

A bit of both.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Nope, I was lucky for the help of half a dozen friends who read a lot.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I tend to go for silent running.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes. It was ace.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Sheer stubbornness.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

It was painted for me by a good friend. His name is Jonathan Knapp and his work is wonderful.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Just winging. I’ve had a few good reviews and that’s always encouraging.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

The only thing worse than editing is not editing.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Northampton in England.

Where do you live now?

London – 9 years in, still in love.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’m about 70% happy.

What are you working on now?

The courage to start novel number three.

End of Interview:

For more from Chris, visit his website, follow him on twitter, or like his Facebook page.

Pick up your very own copy of Weeks in Naviras at Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords.