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7 April 2021

On Wednesdays on social media, people use the hashtag #WriterWednesday to chat about all things author, book and writing, including authors promoting their own work. As we love to support self-published authors, we thought we’d join in and we will be featuring a UK self-published author every Wednesday on the website.

This week, we met James Gunn to find out more.

Please tell us about yourself; when did you first become interested in writing?
To be honest I never realised that I was interested in writing, I just did it. It’s only looking back now that I can see that I was passionate about storytelling since I was very young but at the time it was just something I did with no real thought behind it.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Not really no. I should dig out some of my old Primary School books because I used to write stories in them and love songs to the girls I loved. Haha! I was basically the male version of Adele at 9 years old and didn’t even know it!

What genre/genres do your books fall under?
I’ve been saying it’s a Romantic Dramedy. First and foremost I want people to laugh (which they have been thankfully) but I also want them to relate on a more serious level. I think all the best dramas have an element of comedy and all the best comedies have an element of drama. Also everybody loves a bit of romance too, so relationships between characters are always key. It’s not a light and fluffy kind of romance though, it’s a realistic portrayal of modern day love and how it begins, how it ends and how it can begin again. I think I’ve got the balance just right with my first book.

What is your latest book called, what is it about and what was the inspiration behind the book?
My debut novel is called ‘Trouble Don’t Set Up Like Rain’. It’s about a man called Johnny who finds himself having a connection with another woman whilst at the funeral of his current girlfriend’s father.

The book is narrated completely by Johnny and it flicks back and forth between the past and present in quick succession as the audience get to see how one relationship began and why it ended and also the beginning of a new relationship. Johnny is a cynic and he humorously riffs off into telling stories about his past so the the audience get an insight into how and why he is like he is.

I didn’t have a particular inspiration behind it; I just wanted to write something that I thought people would relate to and find amusing. I also wanted to write something that non-readers might enjoy reading too. As the story progressed I realised that I was telling a story about people like me and like people I know. So the themes of grief, racism, mental health issues along with the mundane aspects of life etc are close to people’s hearts and I wanted to put them across in an engaging way.

Besides your current book, do you have any new projects coming up?
I have started my second novel. I’ve been laughing at it so that’s always a good sign if I laugh at my own jokes. Can’t give too much away but it’s another romantic dramedy with different serious themes. Hidden illnesses being the main one.

I’m also writing a few screenplays too and hopefully something can come from them. I just need a job to be honest. haha!

Where can people find your books?
They’re all over the gaff now. Best place for me is Amazon – because I get the most royalties from them (even if they’re not great). But I know people prefer to buy from other places so you can order on loads of the big names. Waterstones, Fishpond, Blackwell’s and plenty of others.

Go get one!! or two.

What has been the greatest moment in your writing career?
Do you know what, I’m going to say the book, because it is a massive undertaking to not only write a story, but to make it one that people actually enjoy. It also takes a lot of time and effort to self-publish a novel and learn about how the industry works before you get involved.

I did write a feature length movie screenplay over 10 years ago though that I thought was really good. It got through the first round of the BBC Writersroom Scheme but has sat in a drawer gathering dust since then. I was never really sure where and who to go to with my creations but learning about the literary industry recently might open some doors to film/tv as well so I might have to dig it out!

Besides writing, what hobbies or interests do you enjoy in your spare time?
My only hobby in the last year has been sitting at home getting fatter and watching box set after box set.

Which novelists do you admire?
I know I’m going to get booed, but I’m not a huge reader. I admire writers but not necessarily novelists. If you made me choose a novelist I’d say Nicholas Sparks but I get inspiration from film and television writers mostly. Ricky Gervais, Mike Leigh, Jimmy McGovern, Shonda Rhimes, Shane Meadows and Noel Clarke. I write a lot of kitchen sink realism with working-class protagonists so many of these writers are people who do the same and who come from similar working-class backgrounds to me.

What has been the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?
I used to like the advice ‘write what you know’. Although recently I’ve gone against that and think sometimes it is fun to write what you don’t know and learn along the way. My new novel is going to need plenty of research so I make the story and experiences of the characters valid.

Do you have any tips or advice for other indie authors?
Yeah, after you finish writing your story, the journey has only just begun.

If I could give one tip, it would be get a good proof-reader and editor. Nobody is going to enjoy a book that is littered with spelling errors and continuity problems.

I had a budget of £0 for my novel and so I got my sister who is a teacher to read my book and we went through it over the course of a few months until it was perfect. Spoiler: there were still 3 errors spotted after publication (which are sorted now).

My novel wouldn’t have been half as successful if it wasn’t for my sister’s help. Writing a book is a team effort – trust me! Telling the story is just a small part.

You can find out more about James via Instagram or X (Twitter).