Author Interview - Ross Venner

It's time to present another fellow author, Ross Venner, the original member who started the writer's group I attend every month, Write on Water. Ross writes historical fiction with a passion for stories that involve sailing, naval, and sea settings.

Caroline's Sail by Ross Venner

I had a chat with Ross about his writing and what aspirations he has for his stories -

Why do you write? Once a story develops in my brain, I feel compelled to explore it, the characters, and the events surrounding them.

Once the idea comes to you, it's hard to let it go. I agree.

What inspires you or where do your ideas come from? I grew up looking at the 'heroic' ships of World War 2, lying on rusty mooring cables as they awaited the wreckers’ cutting torches. As a boy, I knew the men who sailed on them and fought in the Atlantic and Pacific on them. Older men too, when I was very young. Men who talked of WW1, of chlorine gas rising from submarines’ batteries, or the roar of salvos during the battle of Jutland.

What an interesting way to grow up. I'm sure you have lots of stories from that time.

How often do you write? Every day? Almost every day. Either my fiction or articles for boating magazines.

What genre do you write in? At the moment, historical (naval) fiction. I have also written one book of 'future history'. Viz a story projecting contemporary events forward.

Which authors have inspired your writing? Neville Shute, C.S. Forester, and Richard Woodman, among others

Do you write or have written non-fiction? Only articles on boats and sailing.

That's non-fiction I'd say.

Where and how do you write and what surrounds you? (Home, café, with coffee, food, wine?) At my grandmother’s antique bureau. She was a surgeon in WW1 and later a GP. The desk has lots of partitions for medications and papers, this works very well for my notes. On the green baize, there is an ink stain. I spilled that ink nearly 70 years ago.

What a lovely heirloom to own!

How do you feel about the ‘write what you know’ mantra? Write what inspires you, then make sure you know the subject better than your readers before setting your fingers to keyboard.

What has becoming a published author done for your self-confidence? Alas, I am still 'working towards' such elevated status.

Were there times you felt like giving up? What kept you going? 'I am crazy busy' right now and never have enough time for writing. But I try to keep going.

Do you interact with other authors? How? I am fortunate to belong to a small group that calls itself Write on Water. We meet once a month at a local sailing club, hence its name. Also very important to my writing life has been the website writersforum.boards.net – This group spun out of an Open University online course in 2015. The active members have greatly reduced over years but, when I post an installment of my work in the evening, I usually have feedback and a light edit by morning.

You started the group, Write on Water and I was the first author to contact you. We've had many productive meetings over the years.

So, what’s next for you and your writing? Complete book 3 of my naval history tale. Then seek an agent/publisher.

Wishing you luck with this. Completing book 3 is the easy part.

Where can readers find your book/s? Smashwords.com

Do you sell your book/s in other ways than just online? Not yet.

Are you on any social media platforms? Please add if you are. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ross.venner.5

Do you have an author website? Please add the link if you do. https://rvwrites.weebly.com/

What advice would you give a young or aspiring author? Write for your own pleasure. Your pleasure will be evident in your writing and it will be more engaging as a result.

That advice makes a lot of sense. Thanks for your time Ross, wishing you well with your writing and your sailing adventures.

Are you an author and would like to be interviewed? Then send me an email at mariapfrino@gmail.com and I'll come back to you with questions.

Happy reading (and writing)

Maria P Frino

Author