Patrick Moffett - Author Life

Patrick Moffett released his debut novel, Inside Out, in March 2018. We wanted to sit down with the author and find out how his life had changed since becoming a published author.

Did you always dream of becoming an author?

I’m told everyone has a book in them. I don’t remember exactly when I first seriously decided to try and write a book, about 30 years ago - I think I was about 40. I really wanted to build a story that would turn into a movie – one of my main hobbies is collecting movies and series and I have been a film addict since about the age of seven. I must have started at least 7 books, getting at best to 80 pages before deciding to quit and discarding the work. My best effort I think was a western, but I quit when I decided that I didn’t have enough knowledge to make the story credible – I spent most of my time researching facts and stories about the old west. Today I realise that I shouldn’t have discarded these efforts as some of the material was credible. When I retired, my latest effort had reached 50 pages – after two years of effort! I sat down one night and said ‘come on, you can do this’ – think of it as a project. So I conceptualised the story, defined the players, built a story line and structured the book. 6 months later, I plucked up courage and submitted it to Pegasus – I found their web site more interesting and compelling.

What was your first job?

After school and three years of university, I decided that I wanted to earn a living and set out to find a decent job where I could progress quickly. As a student, I had worked as a salesman in several outfitters and retail stores and enjoyed interacting with people. Almost by accident, I was referred to a computer company by a friend who was a HR officer. I was considered too young for the company but my entry-test results were very impressive and they figured I was an acceptable risk and so, gave me a chance. I loved the freedom and creativity involved in selling accounting solutions. I was lucky to start out in the early days of computers where the successful sales people not only sold the equipment but defined the problems, programmed the systems, installed the equipment, trained the operators and management. I was lucky to find not a job but a career – and I firmly believe that a career is simply a succession of jobs that offer stimulation, growth, recognition, self-worth and all the other kickers that motivate one. From junior to senior salesman, from young manager to executive, from employee to board member – an immensely lucky man.

How did you come about writing your book? Was that your intention or did you start writing for fun?

I had decided, after retiring, that I needed a goal. I also wanted to commence a fifth career – IT Salesman and Executive, Business Consultant, Entrepreneur, and Function Venue Owner. After a lot of thought, I decided that I would very much like to become an author – if I could!  A book is a concrete result of effort expended and can be easily seen as a result of hard work and dedication. I do not write books only for stimulation and keeping busy but hope that success and financial returns will follow in due course. Not the only goal but an important one. In a small way, the books will be a legacy.

What was your life like before you became an author?

I consider myself to be an extremely fortunate individual. I am surrounded by a large and loving family and have enjoyed much success in the economic sense. I have always enjoyed what I did work wise and enjoyed my success in these efforts. I have been able to indulge in two hobbies – travel and wildlife. I do not live a lavish lifestyle and enjoy good health. I have lived a comfortable life style and probably could have pursued wealth but this would have been at the expense of quality of life, I think.

Did you face any struggles before becoming an author? If so, how did you overcome them?

Once I learned how to structure a novel to suit my style and got enough confidence to accept rejection and went ahead with submitting my effort for publication, I learned that the main fear I had had for all the years I spent trying, was the fear of rejection and even of ridicule. Maybe if i had been the struggling young author, financially strapped and desperately writing for a living, it would have been harder – or easier! I finally rationalised that if I enjoyed the book, it would have to do and I should be happy to share my work and hope that others would find it enjoyable. The second book came a lot quicker – one year – and I think it is a lot better than the first; it is now in final editing. The third book is almost finished – final tweaking of plot and linking events – and it is much better than the second. It will be ready for submission soon – about nine months. Self-confidence was the biggest hurdle I had to overcome and one needs to overcome lingering self-doubts.

Now that you are a published author, how has your life changed, if at all?

I have enjoyed the encouragement and support freely given to me by family and friends. I now have a great deal more confidence in my ability as I believe that some of the inputs, advice and guidance have been very well thought out. Sure, friends and family are always going to support, but I am happy to accept the public response and am determined to make better offerings as time allows. I have an improved level of energy if that is possible as to get here has been a major effort.

Can you please describe a typical day in your life now?

I try and spend quality time with family and have work commitments in the family business, which take time. I try and compartmentalise my thinking but occasionally become a pain as I find my thoughts constantly drifting to the latest book. I do a lot of thinking before I write and try and set goals in terms of percentage finished. I write for about an hour a day, I guess. I try and travel and put the latest book away for these periods. I enjoy a few good friends and am active on Facebook.I watch a lot of sport and enjoy movies on TV.

What is your most memorable moment of your life as an author?

Several key moments. Finally finishing the first book and deciding that it was finished! Then the angst of submitting it for publication and preparing for rejection slips. Then the joy of being accepted and the pleasure of seeing the pages become a reality. The excitement of dealing with professionals and seeing the book become a product. Seeing the cover and the blurb. Seeing the press release and the youtube trailer. Finally opening a package and holding the finished book. Too many magic moments to select one. Probably the defining moment of my life because all of the above has led me to now have a burning ambition to be a professional and successful author.

In a few words, how would you review your experience with Pegasus Publishers?

Pegasus have been inspirational. They have taught and supported the process and applied their knowledge and expertise along the way. They have not interfered as editors and allowed complete freedom to me as the author. I hope that I will provide them with a good return on their investment. I have no basis of comparison but I believe that they would be hard to beat.