Tell Us About Yourself:

If you weren’t a writer, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

Well, in one sense, I’ve already done it. My professional career lasted some nearly 40 years helping people to find or remain in employment. I specialised in helping people with disabilities and health problems, particularly those experiencing mental ill health. I also developed and led a national/international initiative supporting employers. I moved on from that work (some call it retirement) in 2018 when I was honoured to be appointed MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Now, as well as writing, I enjoy life with my wife, Jane (who’s a vicar), our dog and involvement as a licensed lay minister in the Church of England. Jane and I have two lovely adult children too.

Tell Us About Your Writing:

If a reader picked up one of your books for the first time, what should they expect?

Above all, whether reading one of my novellas or one of the faith-related books, I hope they will find words they can relate their own life to. Hopefully they’ll enjoy it too!

What genre(s) do you write in, and what drew you to those particular stories?

Fiction-wise, I write contemporary novellas. The Eastwood Story series comprises three novellas which explore different aspects of everyday life for the central and other characters. They are stories of love and loss, laughter and tears, conflict and resolution. Stories of hope over adversity – all with happy endings. They draw a lot on my professional and personal experience of what I have seen and encountered in other people and how we deal with what life brings, as well as lessons from my own life.

Non-fiction wise, I write books related to the Christian faith – in particular books which explore how we can live a faith-enriched (and often challenged) life in the 21st society which has largely turned away from the established Church. I’ve been a Christian for some 45 years and it is an integral part of the person I am.

The novellas are not overtly ‘religious’ so my non-fiction work provide an outlet for exploring different aspects of faith and spirituality.

The Creative Journey:

What first sparked your interest in writing? Have you always been drawn to storytelling?

I wrote my first book (about the link between faith and work) back in the early 1990s. It was accepted for publication twice but in both cases, the publisher encountered financial difficulties so were unable to proceed. After that, some people suggested I wrote articles so I took that route for several years including interviewing well known people (e.g. Terry Waite, John Major, Nick Park) and local people in the news or features for magazines. I also wrote press releases for local churches and organisations, Bible study notes, and book reviews (which I still do). I used to write publicity materials in my job and just before I retired in 2018 started writing my blog at http://workrestpray.com/ 

Fiction was a different story. That was a lockdown surprise. In those times, I started reading more novels and then out of the blue got the idea for what became the beginning of the first Eastwood Story novella. I also wrote some short stories, one of which was published in a flash fiction anthology but have since focussed on the novellas.

Do you consider yourself a naturally creative person? Have you pursued other creative outlets besides writing?

I certainly have a ‘creative’ streak – I will often think a bit out of the box or provide an alternative view (sometimes to the annoyance of both others and myself!). I can draw and would love to do more but (unlike with writing) the blank sheet of paper is a hard thing to look at.

Do you have a favorite writing routine or ritual? (Early mornings, late nights, a particular playlist, coffee vs. tea?)

No – it’s all rather random. I often write in my head – whether that’s in the middle of the night or walking the dog etc – or make notes on my phone or scrappy bits of paper. I will sometimes wait to see if it ‘sticks’ before developing it in to a blog post or part of a book, for example.

How do you balance storytelling with the demands of everyday life?

I’m fortunate that I am not in paid employment so I can balance the writing with other aspects of life.

Has your approach to creativity changed over time? Do you structure your creative process, or is it more spontaneous?

It’s interesting that the two genres are quite different for me. With the faith books, I will plan out chapter headings, a summary of what will be in each section etc. With the novellas, it’s more spontaneous, letting the story take on a life of its own to a degree.

If you could give advice to your younger self when you were just starting out as a writer, what would it be?

Don’t be disappointed if people (including your family and friends) don’t buy it – it isn’t that they don’t like you. They might simply be someone who doesn’t read that much or your genre of book. Indeed, don’t expect lots of sales and be aware that bookshops may or may not want to take it.
Don’t compare yourself to other writers (and don’t take notice of other authors telling you ‘how to write’ – write for the reader not for other writers).

Know that you will be the one who will have to do most of the publicity and marketing of your book (unless you pay for someone to do it) – don’t expect the publisher to do all this for you.
Above all, relish what people say to you about how they have enjoyed it or what it meant to them.

The Source of Inspiration:

Do you ever experience creative droughts? If so, how do you reignite your inspiration?

Yes. I tend to simply ‘wait’. Wait for perhaps just a few words or a line – write it down and see what happens. Other ways are to read what someone else has written about your own topic and see what that stimulates.

Your Books & Current Projects:

Can you tell us about your latest book or work in progress?

I have had a new faith book accepted for publication. It’s on the theme of loving ourselves so I’m looking forward to that coming out.

What was the moment that made you have to write this particular book? Was there a spark of inspiration or a theme you couldn’t ignore?

In terms of the new faith book, that came out of being invited to talk about the topic at Exeter Cathedral in May 2023. I held on to the material I had prepared for that occasion and it having laid dormant for a year or so eventually got around to writing it up and adding to it as a short book.

Do you have a favourite character from any of your books? What makes them special to you?

I would love to meet Matt and Sophie West and daughter Tilly from the Eastwood Story series. They have encountered a lot of hard things that life has to throw and their story, together with those of other characters and reflected in the three titles: ‘Looking to Move On’, ‘Living the Difference’ and ‘Hopes and Expectations’.

If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

See above – there’s a lot of them in me and me in them so I think we’d get on well!

Events & What’s Next:

Do you have any upcoming book launches, signings, or events where readers can meet you?

I’ve got a couple of Open Mic events coming up and will be giving an author talk too. Details are at https://richardfrostauthor.com/events/

Any burning questions you wish we’d asked?

The Eastwood Story series are all published by Chronos Publishing, a wonderful, independent, traditional publisher who are really good to work with and very collaborative. Similarly one of my faith books is published by BRF, a well known Christian traditional publisher who were also very good to work with. One of my faith books was the first – and as it turned out the last – book to be published by a new publishing business. I was badly let down by them and ended up having to pay for copies to be printed and for a UK distributor. I have also self-published one book. I’m comfortable paying a bit for a book to be properly proof-read and for a cover design but I wouldn’t fall for any of the vanity or ultra-hybrid arrangements.

Apart from the one mentioned above, of the publishers I have worked with, and that includes the one who will be publishing the new book referred to above it’s been a really good experience. They want to see your words appear in print and for other people to hold them in their hands.