"I kind of almost became an author by accident. It was a case of rediscovering a love of fiction, and then, on idle weekends, working on things purely to entertain myself. It grew from there." — Richard Roper In this episode, author Richard Roper shares insights into his unique path to becoming an author, starting from a childhood filled with a love for books but no clear ambition to write. His journey took a turn when he began working in publishing, eventually leading to the realization that he could indeed craft compelling stories of his own. Richard's candid recount of his writing journey, including the trials of rejected manuscripts and the breakthrough that led to his published works, provides an inspiring look at perseverance and the creative process. Meet Richard Roper Richard Roper is a writer and freelance book editor. He is the author of Something to Live For and When We Were Young and joined me on Uncorking a Story to talk about his career and latest book, This Disaster Loves You. Key Topics The Path to Authorship: Richard's unique journey from a love of reading and a career in publishing to becoming an established author. Overcoming Rejection: Insights into how Richard dealt with rejection from publishers and used it as motivation to improve and eventually succeed. Inspiration Behind Writing: How real-life observations and personal experiences serve as the foundation for Richard's storytelling. The Craft of Writing: The importance of structure, character development, and the blend of drama and comedy in writing compelling stories. "This Disaster Loves You": A deep dive into the inspiration, plot, and themes of Richard's latest book, focusing on love, loss, and the humorous yet poignant journey of its protagonist. Advice for Aspiring Writers: Richard shares his advice on writing with authenticity, following one's passion, and the value of persistence in the face of challenges. The Role of Music and Pop Culture: Reflections on how punk music, sitcoms, and other elements of pop culture have influenced Richard's writing style and themes. Buy This Disaster Loves You Amazon: https://amzn.to/3x3zeQm Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593540701 Connect with Richard Website: https://richardroperauthor.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/richardroper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardroper/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uncorkingastory Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irisyamashita/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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