Philip Wickham

I began to write my first novel in 1998. I wanted to leave behind something more meaningful than my home to my daughters: a few words, sentiments and my thoughts written and held within the pages of a novel, that I believe will have more resonance and last longer than monetary value. That decision came with an interesting challenge...dyslexia.

The Summerhouse, was my first. A cautionary note! After completion, I blunderd into the manuscript, proofing and editing processes without listening to others. There was a price to pay. In error, and haste, I submitted the uncorrected proof copy for publication, which in turn received a scathing review. It was justifiably deserved and sits there to this day under the book title. A rather painful lesson, learned.

Writing is a strange bedfellow: I become detached and totally absorbed by those that I have yet to breathe life into...the characters. For me at least, they create their own journeys and adventures; I am led by them. They often surprise me when they unexpectedly change direction or add a subplot and I don't see it coming! It's not unusual in those moments to find me staring at my laptop and muttering, "where did that come from?" When I have tried to explain this to people in conversation, I visibly see their eyes widen and they tend to edge away slowly, and a little nervously; but it is how it has to be; an absolute belief and unquestionable commitment to your protagonists.

You experience many emotions when writing, mostly enjoyable, but at times it can be annoying and frustrating. But when a copy of your latest book drops through your letter box...it is such a gratifying feeling and worth all the effort.

I have purposely avoided ploughing the same furrow of genre in order to create storylines and plots, that are very different to each other and that I, enjoy reading. It is my sincere hope that you, the reader, is as much absorbed by the storytelling as the author was during its creation.

Thank you for taking the time to read this...it is greatly appreciated. 📖