Andy Briggs – Write More Books to Become a Successful Author
Andy Briggs has had a varied and successful career. As well as writing films with his brother, he has written an eight book series (hero.com and villain.net) and comics for Markosia Comics. When this interview was conducted, he had just recently released a brand new Tarzan novel - Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy.
Darrell - How did you become a writer?
Andy - I was lucky enough to break into films first. I wrote a lot with my brother, Peter Briggs, on movies and TV shows such as the Highlander TV Show, Judge Dredd and Freddy vs Jason. I used the opportunity to spread out, writing graphic novels and books too. It keeps me busy
Darrell - You seem to be a writing machine judging by your output. How long does it take to write a book and get it ready for publication?
Andy - Publishers love long lead times of at least a year. Tarzan was a project I have been developing for 2 years, but the first year was working with the Edgar Rice Burroughs Estate, then the second year with Faber who are publishing it. With the second Tarzan book, TARZAN: JUNGLE WARRIOR, I only have about 7 months from finishing to publication!
Darrell - What writers inspire you?
Andy - Douglas Adams, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler and many more...
Darrell - What do you think is the best way for a writer to market themselves?
Andy - That's a very interesting question! When most writers I speak to talk about "marketing" they think of Facebook and other Social Networks. I think a writer should market themselves by thinking about the career they want. I enjoy telling a variety of stories across many formats - so I would hate to market myself has the "horror screenwriter" or even the "children's author". I think writers should market themselves to publishers and agents by writing a variety of different genres and in different media.
Darrell - What do you think is the fate for hard copy books now that ebooks are on the scene?
Andy - When TV came along everybody said it was the death of the cinema. I believe hard copy books will always be around. When I was last on vacation I saw NO ipads or Kindles left on sun beds, but plenty of paperbacks. If anything I believe it will encourage more people to read - after all, who cares how they read, as long as they do?
Darrell - What advice would you have for someone trying to break into the business of writing?
Andy - Write as many different stories as you can. If you write one book then your chances of getting it published at slim. Write ten books and you have just increased your odds. Never give up, but be realistic - writing a teenage vampire love story right now will probably be a waste of time as that market is swamped. But in X amount of years people's appetites will wonder in that direction again.
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