A Cwmbran author who “scribbled notes” in a pocket notebook and typed them up in and around family life has published his debut supernatural horror novel.
Llrâc Nôdbé [his author name] was born in Tredegar, grew up in Pontllanfraith, but now lives Hollybush. He wrote the first draft of CRULUS around 13 years ago – 90,000 words.
But “life, work, and lack of confidence” meant he didn’t take it any further. While studying with the Open University, he completed its advanced creative writing courses.
He looked back at his original work and decided it was “rubbish” so he started writing again and “ploughing on” until he felt brave enough to self-publish.
His advice for authors: “Just never give up, never give up. Keep writing even when you don’t feel like writing.
“Just write, even just random words, eventually they’ll start making sentences.
“It took me thirteen years to bring my book to fruition so, if you’re an aspiring author, never, ever, give up on your dreams, no matter how much the voices in your head are telling you that you are rubbish.”
“Prove the voices wrong. Write that book!”
What is CRULUS about?
From Amazon
“CRULUS is set in the fictional town of Draigwen, which he may, or may not, have taken some inspiration from the Sirhowy area in where he lived as a child. The story is set in 1981 and follows schoolboy, Dylan Wolfendale, who has just started at Draigwen Comprehensive school.
“Dylan not only has to deal with the trials and tribulations of teachers and bullies, he also has to deal with the dead, who speak to him constantly. When people start dying—their bodies decomposing before people’s eyes—Dylan realises that talking to the dead is the least of his worries.
“With the help of his friends and WPC Fiona Brasking, Dylan embarks on a horrific journey to stop an ancient demon from bringing Hell on Earth to Draigwen.”
Llrâc studied A-levels at Cross Keys College after leaving Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School.
He followed in his dad’s footsteps and joined the RAF as a ground support equipment technician. This career took him across the world with tours and detachments in the former republic of Yugoslavia as part of the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR), Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Falkland Islands and Saudi Arabia where he turned 21 whilst serving as part of Operation Granby and Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War 1991.
Buy CRULUS
Buy CRULUS by Llrâc Nôdbé on Amazon here.