An Inside Look at a Working Writer: an Interview with Nick Daws

When many people think of writers they often see images of books with glossy covers. The names of authors like, James Patterson and Mary Higgins Clark often flash through their minds.

But, the majority of working writers are not like these authors at all. They write textbooks, articles, content for websites, magazine columns, and technical manuals. Working writers are those who contribute information, advice, how-to's and notes of interest to the reading public each day. The life of a working writer may not always be filled with days at book signings, writers' conferences, and lady moments on the nearest beach. Working writers do just that- they work and write. They are in love with the world of words.

Nick Daws is a working writer. Over the years, he has produced over 40 books, 7 correspondence courses, 4 multimedia tutorials, and numerous articles and short stories. He has also written and researched Web content, e-mail newsletters, pay-per-click campaigns and information products. Nick Daws is the creator of Nick Daws' Writing Blog.

Nick Daws agreed to give a glimpse of the inside workings of the life of a working writer. Here are his thoughts, ideas about the new media, the future of print media, and great advice for writers.

ABS) I would love to know when you first began to write. Many people say that writing is a gift, others a practiced skill. What do you think?

ND) As far as I can remember, I have always been interested in writing. But I suppose if you twist my arm, I remember when I was about eight or nine co-writing a "novel" in an exercise book with my then-best friend, Timothy Nesbitt (where is he now, I wonder?!). Even at that age I got a real kick out of doing this, and my teacher must have been impressed as well, as she let us work on the book when we should have been doing other things instead. Maybe that was the point when I first saw the attractions of being a writer...
As to whether writing is a gift or a practiced skill, I think it's a bit of both. I believe some people have more natural aptitude for writing than others, but almost anyone can learn to write if they are determined enough.

ABS) What kind of writing did you first begin to publish?

ND) I started off pretty conventionally with articles and short stories for print magazines. Longer projects such as books and correspondence courses came later.

ABS) How did you begin to write correspondence courses?

ND) I've always had a particular interest in writing how-to type articles, so writing full-length correspondence courses was a logical next step from this. One of the first courses I wrote was about starting your own business, and in this I incorporated articles I had written previously on business-related matters.

ABS) If you were not a writer, what other career would you have chosen? And why?

ND) That's a very interesting question. Here are three answers...

First, at one time I quite fancied being a pharmacist. Chemistry was one of my favorite subjects at school, and I liked the idea of being paid to do this type of work and at the same time helping people in a practical way. You might say why not medicine, but I'm a bit too squeamish for that. One thing I liked about pharmacy was that you could do it at a safe distance from the patients!

If I was younger, one thing I would definitely like to try is being a travel rep. Not as a long-term career - the money isn't good enough! - but for a year or two. Obviously, I like the thought of working in a range of exotic destinations, but I'm also attracted to the prospect of helping people make the most of their vacations and overcome any problems. I also like the idea of working as a member of a close-knit team - something I miss a bit in the solitary occupation of writing.
And finally, I'd quite like to have been an actor. I was in an amateur theater company for about ten years, and I got a lot of fun and satisfaction out of it. Again, I liked working with a group of colleagues - actors and backstage crew - to produce a show that people would (hopefully) enjoy and appreciate. And, although I'm not an extrovert, there's a part of me that gets a real buzz from performing in front of an audience. Again, that's not something you experience very much as a writer!

ABS) Who is the writer who has most influenced your own work?

ND) So far as fiction is concerned; I've always been a big fan of the late US science fiction writer Roger Zelazny. He writes with wit and panache, coupled with a soaring imagination and a poet's mastery of language. It's a style I envy and try to emulate in my own fiction writing. I'm also a fan of Samuel R. Delany, who has a similar talent for writing vividly and poetically.

Other well-known current fiction writers whose work I enjoy and admire include Stephen King and Dean Koontz - both prolific authors who nevertheless maintain an amazingly high standard in all their work. I'm sure their example has influenced me as well.

As regards non-fiction writing, I'm not sure I want to single out any particular individuals, but there are some very good expository writers out there. I think most writers could learn a lot by carefully studying the feature articles published in our leading serious national newspapers. In the US that would obviously include the New York Times and the Washington Post, while in Britain I'd include The Times, The Guardian and The Independent.

ABS) What do you believe can be the largest influence of the internet on writing and publishing?

ND) The Internet is already influencing writing and publishing in many different ways. One example is that it has opened up many additional avenues for publishing. In my own case, I find that more and more I am writing for online markets. That includes producing copy for websites, but also e-books, email newsletters, email mini-courses, and so on. Even where I'm writing copy for products such as CD-ROMs, which aren't delivered electronically, I'm often required to produce ancillary material to be published on the product website.

The Internet has also made self-publishing a realistic and potentially profitable option for many writers. Web-based POD (print on demand) services such as Lulu.com mean that publishing your own work, whether in print or e-book form, can be easy and inexpensive. As conventional publishers rely ever more heavily on a few "celebrity" authors, making it harder for new and "unknown" writers to break in, I expect to see more and more authors going down the self-publishing route.

ABS) How do you believe that the 'new media' will affect 'print media'

ND) One big change is that all media are having to become multi-channel and interactive. Readers now routinely expect to be able to communicate with newspapers and other print media via websites, blogs, email and so on. Instead of being one-way channels of communication, the print media are having to come to terms with being in a permanent two-way dialogue with their readers.

At the same time, the print media have to demonstrate that they are still relevant and can offer people something the new media can't. In recent years many of the traditional media, such as newspapers, have seen a steady decline in circulation. The challenge for them is to adapt to the new realities of the digital age, and find ways to incorporate new media elements into their businesses while still somehow turning a profit.

ABS) Do you see a future world without newspapers? Why? Or Why not?

ND) I expect it will happen eventually, though maybe not for a few years yet. For one thing, concern over environmental issues, global warming and the destruction of the rainforests means that the massive amount of energy and wood pulp used every day in printing newspapers will become harder and harder to justify.

At the same time, further developments in cell phone technology mean that people will increasingly access their news via these and similar other devices, along with broadcast media and the Internet. As I said in my earlier answer, this is happening already, and it is almost certainly an irreversible trend.
Even so, the convenience and portability of newspapers does give them certain advantages. So I think they'll hang on for a while yet!

ABS) Do you believe an education (a degree) is paramount to a writing career? And why?
Or why not?

ND) I don't believe this myself. Many of the world's best writers have been self-taught or followed non-academic paths.

I do believe that writers need to learn the basics of grammar and punctuation, but if you are motivated to write that shouldn't be a problem - there are lots of books, courses and websites available to help you if required. You certainly don't need a degree in English to write a publishable novel.

ABS) Thank you for this interview. Do you have anything else to add that you believe would be of interest to other writers?

ND) Could I just conclude by mentioning a few of my websites, which I hope your readers may like to visit and explore?

First of all, there's my homepage at www.nickdaws.co.uk. This is really a sort of online CV or résumé. If your readers want to know a bit more about me or my writing, it's the best place to look. You can also find out more about my courses such as "Write Any Book in Under 28 Days" and "Quick Cash Writing" here.

I also have a blog at www.mywritingblog.com. This is where I post my latest thoughts on the world of writing, and I also include news, product reviews, market information, and so on. You can subscribe to my blog if you like and get my posts sent to you automatically by email as soon as I make them.

And finally, I have a forum at www.mywriterscircle.com. This is a message board open to writers across the world. I run it in association with my publishers, WCCL, and it's free for anyone to join. Forum members can post extracts of their work to get feedback on it from other members, and also post any questions they may have about writing and publishing. There is also a section called Writers Wanted, where new markets and opportunities for writers are regularly posted.

Nick Daws is a generous and prolific writer and teacher of the practice of writing craft. It was a joy to gain the wonderful information that exists within this working writer.