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This week, Fable and the Verbivore are excited to share part one of our conversation with thriller author Dicky Kitchen Jr.

Dicky has self-published four books - a 1st and 2nd edition of his thriller novel Prey/Pray: Origin of The Average Man and an origin story novella Prey/Pray: Hunting Party: The Nurse, as well as a kids picture book titled The True Tale of Peter Piper. He’s also a very funny and supportive presence within the Instagram writing community.

In this episode, Dicky talks us through some of the unique choices he made when writing Prey/Pray: Origin of The Average Man. This book is written using both present and past tense to tell different facets of the story, and that choice sprang naturally from the story that unfolded in his mind as he wrote it. Also, he deliberately chose not to name his characters, but to refer to them as an aspect of their character. He admits it was a risk, but one that felt right within the context of this story. As readers, we agree that it absolutely paid off.

He also talks about his organic writing process - writing with his heart but receiving feedback detached from emotion, rereading what he wrote last and creating space to let his mind wander so that his characters can speak, and taking chances when they feel right but not falling into patterns or formulas.

We connected strongly with his advice to writers who are stuck, he recommends being willing to walk away and come back later, as well as to not put undo stress on creating a certain number of words. Reminding yourself that it’s the quality rather than the quantity that matters, and that putting too much pressure on a specific goal can actually kill creativity.

We hope you enjoy this episode, we’re grateful to have been a part of this conversation!

Keep reading, writing, and putting your voice out there!

Into the woods,

Fable & The Verbivore

Notes:

Dicky Kitchen Jr. is a self-published author who has released four books: 1st and 2nd editions of his thriller novel Prey/Pray: Origin of The Average Man, an origin story novella Prey/Pray: Hunting Party: The Nurse, and a kids picture book titled The True Tale of Peter Piper.

Dicky Kitchen Jr.’s personal website is https://dickykitchenjr.com/ and he regularly posts humorous and helpful information on the writing craft to his social media. You can connect with him on Instagram @dicky_kitchen_jr.

Books and Movies Mentioned:

•  Prey/Pray: Origin of The Average Man by Dicky Kitchen

• Prey/Pray: Hunting Party: The Nurse by Dicky Kitchen

• The True Tale of Peter Piper by Dicky Kitchen (Author), Alexandra Killworth (Illustrator)

Music from: https://filmmusic.io
‘Friendly day’ by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)