Chris Brown, author of The Z Affair, describes his writing journey as spontaneous yet deliberate. Initially drafted during a lockdown period of two to three months, The Z Affair was set aside before being revisited and completed over another few months. Despite facing technical challenges, Chris persisted and eventually secured publication in July 2024.

Reflecting on his debut, Chris emphasises the importance of perseverance and completion for aspiring writers, sharing insights into his writing process, which now includes a more structured approach for his upcoming sequel.

Key Takeaways

Set in 1971, the novel targets an older audience but includes modern parallels, especially around media influence.

Chris conducted thorough research on historical events and locations to blend real-world details with fiction for authenticity.

Camille, the love interest in The Z Affair, is inspired by strong female icons, and her role challenges traditional gender roles, potentially overshadowing the protagonist.

Key Moments

"Really, you've got to do it, finish it, because you can. There are all different ways of getting a book done... but you need to finish the book first and believe in it, to a degree."

"If you're going to say, I'm going to write a book, just do it and finish it and fine-tune it. Persevere, because otherwise it just stops as a few notes and an unfinished masterpiece in your back bedroom."

"I've outlined the whole story in notes. It's all there... You just need to add bits and edit bits and fine-tune it."

About Chris Brown

C.K. Brown has had a varied career including music and finance. During this time, he has written songs, poetry, short stories, and newspaper articles. This is his first novel and was mainly written in lockdown. Recently retired, Chris then completed this novel. It is a spy thriller with romance underpinning the story, set in 1971, but with some modern themes. Chris lives in South Staffordshire with his wife, Carole.

Connect with Chris Brown: https://linktr.ee/ckbrownauthor

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