Interview with Matt Borne

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Matt Borne. I'm about 60 years old and of Swedish origin. However, I have lived and worked in London, England, for over 20 years. I am married with three grown-up children. In 2024, my wife and I moved to Italy, by Lake Como.

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

I have written all my life, but it was not until 2012 that I made an effort to finish a book. That was a non-fiction book.

How long does it take you to write a book?

My first novel took about a year to complete. Now, I have taken pulp writing to heart and write more efficiently. It depends a bit on the story, but I usually have a novel finished in 4 to 6 weeks.

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

I usually start before lunch and after the morning walk with out dog. Then I start by reading what I wrote the day before, trying to find errors and anomalies.

How do books get published?

I publish books in all possible formats and on every platform that is available at the given time. Personally, I am addicted to audiobooks and have produced audiobook versions of almost every title to date.

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

Ideas come from everywhere: a newspaper article, someone's chatter on the bus, or a line of dialogue in a movie. For The Cipher of Eden, I had the idea that I wanted to write something like Dan Brown's magnificent thrillers in combination with Indiana Jones. One day, I came across the myth of The Testament of Solomon, and the story grew from there.

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

My first published book was in 2012, and my first in English was in 2021, Shadows in the Walls, which is a fantasy mystery.

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

As a pulp-write, one always writes... But I also travel as much as possible, skiing in the nearby Alps and of course, my family and our English Setter Laika.

What does your family think of your writing?

They like it. But it takes a lot of time and doesn't pay that well (yet?)

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

I currently have some 20 stories published with my name on them. I also ghostwrite some stories. My favourite is always the last one.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Just do it! Write, write, and write. Skip the online courses and classes and write the way you want and the story you love. The only way to develop as a writer is to write and to write what is closest to your heart.

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I do not get as much reader feedback as I want, but the feedback I do get is always good and pleasant.