Writing a Book Is Like Having a Baby

It starts with a seed, takes over nine months and when it arrives it’s a joyous experience. Steve Bell is about to give birth to Secret Revelation.

(PRWEB) November 29, 2005 -- “One of my babies? Of course it is, and it’s delivery time.” Author Steve Bell is about to give birth to one of his children – not literally but literaturally. After nearly three years of gestation, his new novel - Secret Revelation - is about to be born.

“It’s an exciting time,” says Steve. “But also a nervous time. It really feels like when I was waiting for my kids to be born. There’s a lot of pacing going on in my house at the moment.”

Steve has likened the process of writing and launching a book, to that of having a baby. There’s the initial ‘seed’ of the idea that takes hold. Then as it’s nurtured in the ‘womb’ (the writers office), it slowly takes shape and form. Then with time it grows and expands, and sometimes there are those sickening feelings. Before long you’re really choosing the name and getting everything ready for that big moment – the release.

“I think on the 1st of December (the books birthday) I’ll be incredibly relieved,” Steve says. “Writing a book isn’t as easy as you think. Much like having a child. It takes a great deal of patience and hard word. I know that once it’s released there will be a day of relief, but then I’ll be worrying about it growing up and people accepting it – just like any parent.”

Secret Revelation is a thriller based upon the spectacular 1953 Kingman UFO incident. Based in Kingman, Arizona, it is an action filled mystery with twist after twist.

“I’ve been inspired by many books and many movies. ‘Lord of The Rings’ being one of my favourite books and movies of all time. I think much of the action in my book has been inspired by some of the great movies that have recently used ground breaking cinematic effects– ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Kill Bill’ to name a few. One thing I’ve really looked to replicate is the type of mystery within mystery I found in ‘The DaVinci Code’ and ‘Angels and Demons’ by Dan Brown. He is a master of story telling.”

So the book goes beyond just ripping action. It’s also a clever mystery, with the lead character struck down with amnesia. In turn he must piece the mystery together to discover who he is and what he’s done. More of a ‘who am I’, than a ‘who dunnit.’

“The book really feels like a child, it feels like a piece of me, and like any parent I’m proud of it,” Steve says. “Already I’ve had some great reviews, so I’m a little more tranquil now, not that my wife would agree at this moment.”

Steve will soon start an international book signing tour and a series of blog seminars on writing novels. He’s keen for everyone to have ‘children’.

“It’s hard writing a book - but well worth the experience. I’m setting out to encourage as many people as possible to take the opportunity of the fantastic resources now available to authors. There’re so many great tools on-line that everyone can realise this dream. Drop by my site, email me and I’ll be happy to help.”

Steve gives full credit to authors such as JK Rowling for the Harry Potter series, saying how hard it must be to keep such a series so strong, but above all how she copes with the pressure of parenting the world’s most famous child.

“Any author, JK Rowling, Dan Brown, Michael Crichton, Steven King - any of them have a great writing talent but I also give them credit for being able to keep doing it. It’s hard – just like having kids.”

So with the gestation period nearly over, the inevitable question comes – will you be having more kids?

“Not just yet,” laughs Steve. “I’ll get this one out of diapers first, maybe let it walk a little. But I’m sure some time soon I’ll get the cravings again.”

Secret Revelation is published by iUniverse and available from all good book stores.
Visit secretrevelation.com for more details.

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