A HELENSBURGH author has revealed the secret to becoming a successful writer after becoming the latest occupant of Helensburgh Heroes’ Big Chair.

Robin Lloyd-Jones spoke about his life and work in the latest ‘Tales from the Big Chair’ event at the charity’s Sinclair Street base.

Speaking to the Advertiser after the event, Robin said the key to a successful career in writing is to believe in yourself and work hard. “Determination is as important as talent,” he said.

“You can have all the talent in the world but if you get put off by rejection then you will never make it as a writer.”

The ‘Tales from the Big Chair’ event which saw Robin choose six meaningful photos from his life and explain the reasons behind his picks – and also reveal who was his hero.

The 83-year-old chose author William Hutchison Murray, who inspired him throughout his career.

Robin also wrote W.H. Murray’s biography, titled Sunlit Summit, which won the Saltire Society’s Research Book of the Year Award in 2013.

His new book, Autumn Voices, was released at the end of June and includes interviews with 20 authors, including Sheena Blackhall and Larry Butler.

All are over the age of 70 but are still actively writing.

“The whole process for me was amazing,” Robin added.

“I interviewed 20 authors over the age of 70 and they were all such role models.

“Not only do they know a lot about writing, they have a great attitude for later life and are an inspiration.”

While the new book is non-fiction, Robin acknowledged that he has enjoyed writing a variety of books during his career.

He said: “I pick between fiction and non-fiction because it seems to use different parts of the battery, if you know what I mean.

“Sometimes I work on both. I also like writing poetry but I don’t really think about getting that published.

“It’s part enjoyment but it’s also part compulsion and addiction.”

Robin began his career as an author at 40 while working as an education adviser.

“I suppose I was going through my mid-life crisis,” he said.

“I made a list of things that I wanted to do but hadn’t done, and decided that if I wanted to write anything worthwhile, I had to do it regularly.”

He explained that one of the biggest challenges starting out as an author was working full-time and aiming to write for two hours a day.

As a result, Robin retired at 55 to pursue his passion, and he has now written 15 books in total.

However, he struggled to decide which one was his favourite.

“It’s the same sort of question as asking a mother which of her children is her favourite,” he said.

“I can’t choose one because I like different aspects of each of them, but actually, it’s usually the one I am working on.”

“I spend at least two hours a day writing but a great deal of that depends on the weather – if it’s a great day for my kayak, then I will go out in that.

“I get more done in the winter but it’s doing it regularly. It’s terrible if you are mid-flow and get interrupted.

In the next few months, Robin will be celebrating his 59th wedding anniversary with his wife Sallie.

“She’s my best critic,” he added. “She gets the first read and tells me what doesn’t make sense or if I have spelled something wrong.

“She’s a very good proof reader.”