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By Andrew Cairns

Writing, is one of my most enjoyable pastimes; I find it therapeutic, engrossing, challenging, and rewarding.

Apart from obligatory writing during my education, I have written a daily diary since I was about ten years old. I find it therapeutic to reflect upon the events of each day and to put them down in words in my diary, both the positive and the negative. When I left school, I studied engineering and didn't have much time for creative writing; however, after my studies, I began writing a bit more. I started off writing anecdotes: recording real experiences, and perhaps adding some of my thoughts on them. I found it both challenging and stimulating to express my ideas on various subjects, such as relationships or cultural differences. I also began having ideas for more complicated stories, so I attempted to write a few short stories, and even a couple of novellas. While I never managed to get any of these published, I did succeed in getting a travelogue posted on the Bootsnall web-site; it was based on my travels in the Ivory Coast. I enjoy sharing my work with others, and it gives me satisfaction to obtain feedback, whether it be praise or constructive criticism. It can be rather scary though, to expose one's thoughts and feelings. There is always the fear of being ridiculed or negatively criticised. I do believe, however, that I have interesting things to say, concocting stories from my experiences, my imagination, and other sources of inspiration: books, films, music, etc. Recently I have written a novel in my spare time, and am now in the process of getting it published: see my facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/thewitchslist - and 'like' it if you are interested in the book. So far I have obtained good reviews for the book, including an endorsement from author, Tahir Shah. It is difficult for an unknown writer to build up an audience or following, but with lots of hard work and practise, I hope to become an accomplished and successful writer. Writing, which I perhaps initially did for therapeutic reasons, has become a real passion for me; I particularly enjoy developing a story, expressing my ideas, and obtaining more understanding of people and their motivations and personalities.

Andrew Cairns will be joining our Cosmic Egg imprint, so watch this space for more news about his work,

 

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