Birch Acres pharmacist assistant talks about his passion for writing

Neil Heath-Hartley is a local author from Birch Acres who finds writing to be his perfect form of expression.

The 38-year-old said writing makes him feel fulfilled and empty at the same time. Putting down his thoughts relaxes him more than anything else, even talking. He said writing liberates his thoughts. Kempton Express caught up with Neil to find out more about him and his work.

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

“Writing has been a big part of my life. I grew up in the mining town Carletonville and found the love of writing at a young age. The story goes back to my childhood when I used to go to school, where first language was taken with utmost seriousness.

“The best part of it was writing essays. Then, after I matriculated in 1999, I started studying and earned a diploma in novel and creative writing. This is when my passion became a reality.”

How long does it take you to write a book?

“Depending on the genre, it can take up to a year. For example, Behind the Mask took me exactly a year to write and took a few months to edit and publish. Jesse the Ugly Rag Doll took me an hour to write.”

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

“I only write one hour a day during lunch as I work full time. I am a pharmacist assistant and at night I spend time with the family and relax after a hard day.”

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

“Researching topics. The most interesting was poison, magic as well as other things I’d rather not mention here (laughs)”.

How do books get published?

“I self-publish. I find it easier to self-publish in South Africa than to go the traditional route. I also have control over it.”

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

“From my surroundings or an idea that forms in my mind, which normally ends up being googled or researched on YouTube.”

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

“My first published book was Behind the Mask. I was 36 and I wanted to tell a story of being bullied.”

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

“I do scrapbooking, teddy bear making and I can crochet. It’s also a way to relax.”

What does your family think of your writing?

“They all support me, especially my husband, Marius Heath-Hartley. He is my super fan, and I cannot ask for more.”

What was one of the most surprising things you learnt in creating your books?

“The research I need to do for my books, either via Google or YouTube.”

How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

“I have written a few, but I have published five and working on my sixth. I love them all, so it’s hard to decide which is better. They are all my own work and all unique in their own way.”

Do you have any suggestions for someone who wants to become a better writer?

“You need to enjoy writing and creating characters that you love and want people or your readers to love and relate to.”

Do you hear from your readers much?

“As I have my own newsletter, I get regular updates from my readers and they have all been positive. You can subscribe to my newsletter at neilwrites.co.za.”

Do you like to create books for adults?

“I write for adults and children, in English and Afrikaans. Afrikaans I have only started on recently.”

What do you think makes a good story?

“The characters and the journey they follow. As long as you can relate to them, then the story becomes believable.”

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

“A vet, until high school, then it was an accountant, which both did not happen.”

What advice do you have for writers?

“Just be yourself and enjoy the journey with your characters and make sure you are comfortable in conveying your story.”

List of Neil’s published books available on Amazon:

• Welcome to the Forest of Looms is a fantasy book that follows Maggie-Lyn on a journey of self-discovery as she learns that she is actually the most powerful fairy in the forest.

• Behind the Mask is a story that follows Jerome, a teenager who has to learn to accept his sexuality as a homosexual and also has to deal with heartbreak, attempted suicide and love. But will he find it?

• Ashes of Rebirth is a children’s book with a lot of magic and mystery, self-discovery and the lesson that you should love yourself for who you are, whether others accept you or not.

• Jesse the Ugly Rag Doll, released on December 17, 2019, is a quick and simple read for parents to read to their children at bedtime, or for children who enjoy short stories.

• Mamma en die Skoene Wat Nie Pas Nie (Afrikaans, not available on Amazon) is a toddler’s book with colouring pages and is good for those holiday trips.