DO, meet your heroes

The adage “Never meet your heroes, for if you do, it will always disappoint” has been ingrained into us over many years. Yet, I find myself in strong disagreement with this time-worn wisdom. Let me share my experiences with two of my writing heroes, Joe Abercrombie and Mark Stay, who have not only inspired me but also proved that meeting your heroes can be an immensely rewarding experience.

In the realm of literature, heroes can take many forms. For me, my writing heroes have been a source of inspiration, guiding lights in my journey as an author. While some of my literary idols have already left us, such as David Eddings and David Gemmell, Joe Abercrombie and Mark Stay have emerged as contemporary writing heroes who continue to shape my path as a writer.

I had the privilege of meeting Joe Abercrombie on one unforgettable occasion. Prior to our meeting, I had followed his interviews and engaged with his insights through podcasts like The Bestseller Experiment. These interactions had given me a glimpse into his creative mind, making me feel like I got him.

When I first cracked open Joe’s debut novel, “The First Law,” I admit that the initial five pages left me somewhat unconvinced. However, by the time I reached page ten, I was undeniably hooked. Joe’s storytelling prowess, characterized by its ability to twist, dissect, and explore the intricacies of morality and ethics within his characters, was nothing short of masterful. I found myself returning to his works time and again, each reading revealing new layers of his narrative craftsmanship. In my opinion, there’s no one better than Joe Abercrombie in the realm of fantasy fiction.

My opportunity to meet him in person came when he visited Waterstones in Liverpool just before the onset of Covid. Not only did I get a book signed by him, but he also answered a question I posed. It’s remarkable how a few simple words can have such a profound impact on one’s life. During our brief exchange, I mentioned that I was in the process of writing a book, an activity – I suspect – shared by many in the queue that day. Joe’s response was succinct yet incredibly motivating: “Excellent. Keep going.” Those three words served as a constant source of inspiration, propelling me to persevere, resulting in nearly 600,000 words and the completion of five books. Joe Abercrombie undoubtedly stands as one of my writing heroes, I just wish he’d write more!

My second writing hero is the venerable author Mark Stay, whose writing talent and extensive experience in the book industry sets him apart. I discovered Mark as the co-presenter of the Bestseller Experiment alongside Mark Desvaux nearly six years ago, and I’ve been an avid listener ever since.

My admiration for Mark extended to supporting his Kickstarter project for the fantasy novel “The End of Magic.” Few things bring me more joy than contributing to an author’s journey to bring their vision to life. My good fortune culminated in a face-to-face encounter with Mark Stay at the Romantic Novelist Association conference last year. Although I generally carry myself confidently in social settings, I must confess to feeling a touch star-struck upon his arrival. For most of the day, I kept my distance for reasons I couldn’t quite fathom.

However, when Mark messaged me about joining him and his wife Claire for a drink after one of the author panels, I couldn’t resist the opportunity. This was a marked departure from my meeting with Joe Abercrombie; it was an invitation to a genuine conversation. The nerves were palpable, but I recalled a saying Joe himself had shared: “It is better to do it than live with the fear of it.” With that mantra in mind, I approached Mark Stay, and to my delight, he was not only gracious but genuinely kind and interested.

Our conversation flowed effortlessly, and I was struck by Mark’s warmth, candour, and enthusiasm for all things related to writers and their craft. I even had the honour of gifting him a signed copy of my book, “Imagine the Fire,” dedicated to him. This heartwarming encounter was repeated at FantasyCon, where I presented Mark with a copy of “Delusions and Dragons,” in which he possibly makes a cameo alongside Mark Desvaux, albeit in fictional form for legal reasons.

Mark Stay’s unwavering support and willingness to engage with aspiring authors demonstrate his status as one of the “good guys” of the literary world. His dedication to writers of all backgrounds has left an indelible mark on me, and I am immensely grateful for his influence on my writing journey.

In conclusion, my encounters with writing heroes Joe Abercrombie and Mark Stay have only solidified my belief that meeting one’s heroes is not a recipe for disappointment, but rather a chance for inspiration and personal growth. Without a doubt, these encounters have played a pivotal role in my journey as an author, reminding me that heroes, when met, can indeed exceed our expectations. So, in defiance of the old adage, I encourage you to seek out your heroes; you may just find that they inspire you to reach new heights of which you never thought yourself capable.