Author Interview – Tom Evans – Soulwaves

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed author and meditation guide Tom Evans about his career, his latest book, Soulwaves, and the advice he has to inspire others.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

So I am now a full time creator, having retired from selling time for money. I’ve now switched from mainly writing non-fiction and philosophy to writing fiction full time. This took 15 years and 15 other books to pull off. Currently I am creating my 18th book, serialising it as an audiobook to beta listeners on a great app called Soundwise, prior to its publication in 2022. Along the way, completely by accident not design, I ended up as an internationally recognised meditation guide, with well over four million downloads on the free Insight Timer app. I am also what you might call a modern day mystic, shaman and channel. I can tap into the collective consciousness and write about the unknowable.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

It’s always been a thing I wanted to do but my 1st book came in unexpectedly while I was on a 747, 39,000 feet above the Atlantic on the way to a holiday in the Caribbean.

When did you take a step to start writing?

When I was in that 747 although I had written a poor 1st draft of my 1st full novel that never saw the light of day.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

This book took a plane flight to write, a two week holiday to edit and finesse and I published it within a month of returning. It is a short story mind you but a whole life story told in just 33 poetic stanzas

How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?

My latest book is 12 short stories and I wrote it in the first lockdown in 2020 and timefully released it on the 1st New Moon of 2021. It’s called Soulwaves : Insertions. The stories are prequels and sequels to my first full novel which took 15 years and the publishing of 15 other books before it saw the light of day.

Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Soulwaves?

I would love the concepts in my Soulwaves Anthology to be make it on to TV. For that reason, I wrote short stories as there is a tradition of short stories making it on to the big and small screens – like the film Arrival.

What were your biggest challenges with writing Soulwaves?

Really none. It was just pure unadulterated fun.

What was your research process for Soulwaves?

For the historical stories, like those in Sumeria and the 1960s Cold War, Wikipedia gave me all the information I needed. The rest came out of the ether as nobody really knows how the Universe actually started, or ends. The book postulated two alternatives.

How did you plan the structure of Soulwaves?

So all my books start with a Mind Map. The twelve short stories each also explore the numerology of numbers.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Soulwaves need?

I do use an editor, mostly my books just need typos corrected as my plots and writing are very strong.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a book?

Write the start and end first (even if you change them later) and then the middle tends to just arrive.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

I am now writing the third book in the Soulwaves Anthology called The Duadex. In the Charles Dickens tradition, I am serialising it to subscribers, creating the audiobook in the process.

And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

Yes indeed. It takes all your life to be an overnight success. After writing at least one book a year for the last 17 years, I am now in a place I can just create full time. Some of my free meditations also change lives while I sleep, definitely worth it.

Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

On The Table Read: https://www.thetablereadmagazine.co.uk/five-ways-authors-benefit-from-meditation/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulwaves/

Tweets by thebookwright

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebookwright/

https://insighttimer.com/tomevans

Latest two books on Amazon