Embark on an inspiring voyage with self-published author Stephen R. Marriott, whose unexpected journey along the historic Camino de Santiago pilgrimage became the genesis of his fiction career. From a transformative walk to crafting the Reluctant Pilgrim trilogy, Stephen shares the profound impact of reader reviews and his unique take on overcoming the myth of writer’s block. Delve into his love for the outdoors, global adventures, and the literary influences that shape his captivating storytelling.
What inspired you to become a fiction author?
I never set out to be an author. But that all changed when I was at a crossroads in my life – I was going through a divorce, and I was no longer satisfied with my day job working in the corporate world in London. All I could think of was getting away. So, I went travelling, and that journey eventually took me to the foothills of the Pyrenees and about to walk across a country.
I didn’t know it at the time, but it was on that road, the historical Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain, that I would be inspired to write fiction.
The Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of St. James, is a 1,200-year-old walk, or pilgrimage, across Northern Spain to the city of Santiago in the region of Galicia, North West Spain. The classic route starts in a small village, St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, in France at the base of the French Pyrenees, and continues over the mountains and across Spain for 800 kilometres.
The Camino was once the Highway of Europe, with some one million pilgrims a year walking it during medieval times. They walked it to seek penance at the tomb of Saint James, buried in Santiago’s grand cathedral. People continue to walk the Camino in modern times, but now not only for religious reasons.
The stories that came out of my 31-day walk stirred me to share the experience. This began with me emailing my friends and blogging about my Camino journey; then I penned a tale in the form of a blog serial, which eventually morphed into a novella, Candyfloss Guitar. It’s a coming-of-age story about a young Flamenco guitarist busking his way along the Camino. This book is now part of the Reluctant Pilgrim trilogy.
Can you share one of the most rewarding experiences you’ve had as a self-published author?
Reviews – it amazes me that readers take the time to leave positive reviews on Amazon and on other bookstore sites. Some readers have even emailed me to say my books have inspired them to walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage themselves, or make big changes in their lives. Before becoming a writer, I had no idea that my words could connect with others and be impactful. It’s a strange thing!
Of course, I have also received some negative reviews. But that’s fine – I welcome (constructive) feedback. It shows people are taking my books seriously, and that motivates me to become a better writer.
Can you tell us about a time when you had to overcome writer’s block? What worked for you?
I’ve discovered the notion of writer’s block is a myth. Of course, there are times when a writer struggles to get down on paper what they’re trying to say (I frequently experience this). We all live full lives, and so we can all draw on our day-to-day experiences and the emotions of those experiences to create drama and stories. This fosters the imagination. E.g. remembering how you might have reacted to a certain situation, or how might a friend would react. I also find it useful to go for a walk after a day’s writing. When I’m walking, I seem to be subconsciously working on the next part of the story, and I constantly find myself stopping to make notes in my phone, or a notebook (if I was clever enough to bring one with me). So, when it comes to my next day’s writing, I already have a head start.
Who are some authors that have greatly influenced your writing and why?
Those authors that capture a sense of place and create characters who rise to the challenges of that environment, as well as their own personal challenges. Hemingway comes to mind, as does Jack London and Charles Frazier. Often, such stories involve a physical journey. Certainly that’s true for many of London’s and Frazier’s stories, such as Cold Mountain.
What are some hobbies or interests you have outside of writing?
It will probably come as no surprise that I like the outdoors. I love long walks and hiking. Being in nature nurtures the soul and as I’ve already suggested, inspires my creativity. I also love to travel. To date I’ve visited more than fifty countries – yet my wish list of foreign places remains lengthy. I’ve also started leaning the guitar; I expect that journey to have many bends in the road too!
How has your background (cultural, geographical, professional, etc.) influenced your writing style and the stories you choose to tell?
I’ve been a big reader since I was a kind, influenced by my dad who devours books. Among the earliest books I remember reading include the Narnia Chronicles and Lord of the Rings, novels which fired my imagination for adventure and journeying to unknown parts.
Being a big reader is the only qualification you need to be an author.
What of your book(s) are you the most proudest of, and why?
It has to be my debut Candyfloss Guitar, book #1 in my Reluctant Pilgrim series, as it set me on my writing path. As mentioned, I didn’t expect to write a book after completing the Camino de Santiago. But it seems that was just the start of my journey: I’ve subsequently returned to Spain and walked several more Camino paths researching the follow up books in the series.
What is your most recent book and/or what are you working on currently?
My last launch was Diego’s Guitar, the concluding book in the Reluctant Pilgrim trilogy. I’m still waiting for an idea for the next book, but I have a feeling it will be non-fiction.
Is there a book project you have in mind that you plan to write one day? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it
I’d love to write a travel memoir. I don’t know where that trip will take place or its theme. Perhaps busking my way across the Southern States with my guitar – but I’ll need to improve on my repertoire of two chords!
You can find Stephen R. Marriott on his web site, on Instagram, or on Twitter.
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