The Stories Behind the Stories
In-depth conversations with indie authors about their books, their writing process, and the journey of independent publishing. Get to know the people behind the pages.
Inside the Mind - Anahit Arustamyan
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What inspired you to start writing?
Life inspires me to write. Writing is my lifestyle.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
"It Could Be Me" is my latest poetry book. It's available on Amazon, Kobo and Written App. It's a new released book.
Inside the Mind - Carla D E Godfrey
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What inspired you to start writing?
Jane Austen! I loved her books growing up, and I've always had a good imagination so I started writing little four page stories - they usually involved me and my family or fanfiction and it grew from there.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Desire & Duty is all about class and the determination to prove that it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from - it centres around Cal who comes from this claustrophobic, stuffy, rich lifestyle - there's a certain way to behave and all he wants to do is be himself - his girlfriend is unapologetic and a bit of a rebel so she's one to look out for! So it's a question of is he brave enough to take a leaf out of her book?
BB
LUVVIE or Live Fast Die Young - Ben Braddock
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What inspired you to start writing?
I first started wring as a playwright when, working as an actor in dreadful new plays, I thought "I can do better than that!" Luckily it turned out that I was right.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
It started when I heard an author talking on radio how a psychic told him he would did in one year's time. I thought "what a great start to a story". LUVVIE (a British, slightly derogatory, slang term for an actor_ based on the rumour that actors all call each other "luvvie" or "darling") is a post modern biography if you want to be posh. Some of it's true, some of it is not. My family hates it but then the truth hurts.
Inside the Mind - Matt Dinniman
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When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
I realized it during my school years when I started enjoying creative writing and storytelling more than any other subject.
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What is the main theme of your book?
The main theme is personal transformation and how life challenges can help people discover their true strength.
Inside the Mind - Stockett
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What was the hardest scene or chapter to write?
The emotional climax of the story was the hardest part to write because I wanted it to feel authentic and powerful without becoming overly dramatic.
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How do you develop your characters?
I spend a lot of time understanding each character’s background, personality, fears, and motivations before I begin writing. Strong characters make the story feel real.
RC
Inside the Mind - Rick Campbell
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What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by real-life experiences and conversations I had over the years. I wanted to create a story that people could emotionally connect with while also sharing an important message about growth and resilience.
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How long did it take you to complete the book?
The book took around two years to complete. The first draft was written in eight months, but editing, rewriting, and refining the characters required much more time.
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Inside the Mind - Sebastian Vale
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What attracts you to science fiction writing?
Science fiction allows me to ask difficult questions about humanity, technology, and the future while still entertaining readers.
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How do you make futuristic worlds believable?
I base future technology on real scientific trends. Even imaginative ideas feel believable when grounded in logic.
AR
Inside the Mind - Amelia Rosewood
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What inspired your love for fantasy stories?
Fantasy gave me freedom to imagine worlds beyond reality. As a child, I loved stories filled with magic, adventure, and impossible possibilities.
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How do you build fictional worlds?
I start with culture and history before designing maps or magical systems. A believable world needs traditions, politics, and emotional depth.
LE
Inside the Mind - Lucas Everhart
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Why did you choose thriller writing as your genre?
I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior under pressure. Thriller stories allow me to explore fear, secrets, and psychological tension in a compelling way.
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How do you create suspense in your novels?
Suspense comes from controlling information. I reveal details slowly while allowing readers to constantly question the motives of each character.
EW
Inside the Mind - Eleanor Whitmore
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What inspired you to become a writer?
I grew up surrounded by books. My grandmother used to read classic novels to me every evening, and those stories shaped the way I viewed the world. Writing eventually became my way of preserving emotions and memories.
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What inspired your latest book, The Silent Harbor?
The novel was inspired by stories from families who survived difficult periods during wartime. I wanted to explore how ordinary people carry extraordinary emotional burdens.