Below is an interview with author Tom Kreffer whose personal journals were transformed into a memoir titled Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-Be First-Time Dad. Check out Kreffer’s philosophies on writing, inspirations for his book, and what he has learned from the writing and publishing process.
About the Author and Book
Author Name: Tom Kreffer
Author Links
Book Name: Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-Be First-Time Dad
Talking Shop
What do you want readers to take away from your books?
Something. I don’t care what the something is, just so long as it’s something. The series of books I’m writing at the moment is a non-fiction memoir about parenting (Dear Dory covers pregnancy from a soon-to-be first-time dad’s perspective).
The format of these books is a daily journal addressed to my son. There’s a lot of humour and emotional honesty in the journal, so I like it when readers have a laugh and relate to it on an emotional level. But it’s never for me to say how a reader should experience a book. After all, you could read the same book several times at different points in your life and the experience might be completely different each time.
Ultimately, I want readers to feel as if they are the ones who have got the better end of the deal from buying my books and taking the time to read them.
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learnt as you went along?
Since my early 20s, when I began writing screenplays. I think you become a writer as soon as you write an idea for a story down on paper. I’ve never sold a screenplay, and I didn’t publish my first book until I was 35, but I’ve thought of myself as a writer for over a decade.
I’ve never had formal training. I went to film school at university, but I never took a single writing class. I taught myself screenwriting. Later, I took Robert McKee’s Story seminar, which I thought was brilliant.
My first book was a complete fluke. I started writing a journal to my unborn child when I discovered I was going to be a dad, and it ended up getting published. I was writing the first draft while reading every book I could get my hands on about the craft of writing, so I was learning as I went along, and still am.
Do you have a writing ritual, odd habits or superstitions?
There’s one ritual I stick to religiously, and that’s that I write every day. If I don’t have access to my laptop, I write notes in my journal, and if I don’t have my journal, then I’ll write notes on my phone. I believe that writing is just the flexing of a creative muscle; one that works the same way as any other muscle in the body: if you use it and train it, it will perform better. That’s why I write every day.
How well do you handle criticism of your writing from editors or reviewers? Do you ever use that criticism to change your story?
Criticism is essential to my writing process. When you spend long periods of time wrapped up in your story, it’s easy to lose perspective. Your personal attachment to the story eliminates the ability to look at your work objectively, or with a fresh pair of eyes. That’s why it’s so important to seek feedback from test readers before releasing a book into the world. That part of my process will never change.
Once I’ve gathered the feedback (the good and the bad), I devour it and look for patterns in it that flag up areas I need to review or rewrite. I don’t make changes based on all the feedback I get – that wouldn’t work, as you can never please everyone – but if twenty people are telling me a particular joke is rubbish, then I know I need to rewrite it. Ultimately, I’m trying to create the best possible reader experience, and I’ve never once believed that I could do that alone. Feedback is critical – both the good and the bad.
What is the most fun part of writing? And the most difficult?
The most fun parts, at least for me, are the first and final drafts. The first draft is fun because I’m not worrying about anything like spelling or grammar or overwriting or editing; I’m only focusing on getting words on to a page, and when the writing is going well and my tapping at the keyboard continues at a steady pace, I’m in my element – in the zone, without any distractions.
The final draft is fun because your book is almost as good as it can be – and you’re using that last pass just to give it that extra three per cent. You might only change a few words, but you recognise that those words are better choices, and that invariably improves your book.
The most difficult part is everything that comes in between the first and final drafts – particularly drafts two and three; they’re brutal.
“What if?” scenarios
A wealthy reader buys 100 copies of your book and tells you to hand them out to anyone you wish. Who do you give them to?
I give them to the most famous people in my target demographic, in the hope that they like what they read and tell their audience about it.
Your book becomes a best seller. What would you do next?
I would make one tiny change, which would be to spend less time on marketing and promoting, and more time writing. All other aspects of my life would remain the same. Having said that, I’d love a driveway… and a big enough hallway to fit a buggy in.
Would you rather own your own bookshop or your own publishing house, and what would you sell or publish?
Bookshop. I love looking at books, and I love having books stacked up on their sides all around me. I try and encourage anyone and everyone to read more books. My bookshop would be split into two halves. On one side, you would have the non-fiction section, mostly made up of personal development books, although I would also stock anything that people could learn from. On the other side would be fiction. I love epic stories that have a lot of fun, action and adventure in them but also use compelling characters in a grounded and believable way.
You have the means to hire a full-time assistant to help you with your writing. What tasks do you give them to do?
I give them everything and anything that takes me away from writing. Here’s a brief list: social media, booking in-person author events, basic accounting admin, boxing up and posting any signed copies of my books, helping me research and find resources to help me become a better writer.
Your story gets picked up by a streaming service that wants to make it into a series. What service would you want it to be, and would you want them to follow your story closely, or would you rather see what direction they take it in?
Netflix, as they have such a large reach. I’m a big fan of Disney, but my books feature far too many swear words for that brand.
My books are non-fiction memoirs about pregnancy and parenting, so I’m far too close to the material – I’m in it – to want to maintain absolute control. I would give someone else free rein and see what they could come up with. It might mean that not everything was totally accurate, but as long as the storytelling was solid, I’d be fine with it – it’s always about the story for me.
Just for Fun
One year of your life you’d like to relive or do differently.
I spent a year backpacking, thinking I was going to become a travel blogger. I wish I had ditched the travel blog idea and written a book instead.
One bucket-list item you’ve completed and one that’s still on your list.
Backpacking in Africa and going on safari is one item I’ve completed. I’ve yet to visit Antarctica, which is high up on the list. I would also love to sell one of my screenplays.
A movie or a piece of music that changed your life.
‘Shells’, by Thomas Newman, from the film Finding Dory. The track reminds me of my son, whom we temporarily named Dory while my partner was pregnant. If I’m having a tough day, I play that track as it reminds me of what I have in my life, not what I don’t have.
Favorite place you’ve visited/place you want to visit.
New Zealand is my favourite country of those I’ve visited. I went with my partner, and we lived in a car for five weeks while exploring both islands. It was great. Any place that I’ve not been to is automatically included in the list of places I want to visit.
Your favorite podcast.
Tim Ferriss – I’ve learnt more from Tim Ferriss podcasts than any other resource.
A talent you have and a talent you wish you had.
I’m pretty good at shutting out distractions and focusing absolutely on my priorities, which is great for a writer. But I wish I was better at dancing, singing or art – I guess I can lump all of those under physical artistic expression; I wish I had more of that.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Dear Dory here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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Dear Dory sounds like a book with an honest and fresh perspective, as well as a relatable learning curve. Love the book cover and the opportunity to get to know more about Tom! I am a bookshop kind of gal too, and enjoy memoirs.
Thanks for sharing!