An interview with Adrian Quinton

Adrian Quinton is a UK-based writer known for his science-based thrillers. With a fascination for quantum theory and consciousness, Adrian incorporates scientific concepts into his writing, creating thrilling stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats and make them question the nature of our reality.

Working with one of our expert consultants, Mark Leggatt, Adrian has now published his debut novel, A Quantum of Thought: The Discovery.

He is interviewed here by Emma Coxon from The Writing Coach team.

Working with Mark and the Writing Coach team was a pivotal part of the journey in getting the novel to a point where I felt confident putting it out into the world. I’m genuinely grateful for the guidance and support along the way.

It was a pleasure to recently sit down with Adrian to hear about his journey from first-time novelist to published author – from writing without a plan to discovering the power of structure, editing, and trusting the reader.

For readers discovering you for the first time, can you tell us a little about yourself and what first drew you to writing fiction?

After spending more than thirty years working in IT, managing services and projects, I felt a growing need to do something creative for myself. I’d had the idea for a book at the back of my mind for a while, but I’d never quite been organised enough to begin.

That changed one evening in a restaurant with friends. I mentioned that I’d like to write a novel one day, and the immediate response was, “Well, why don’t you?”

That simple question, and even simpler answer, stuck with me. I think it was that very weekend that I sat down and started writing.

What is A Quantum of Thought: The Discovery about, and where did the original idea come from?

A Quantum of Thought is a high-concept thriller centred on a young physicist, Manisha Williams. Working in Oxford, she develops a breakthrough technology capable of capturing and decoding human thought.

What she doesn’t realise is that her research is being quietly funded by the UK government, who see it as a powerful tool for intelligence gathering. However, an even more dangerous force is watching, a hidden organisation intent on stealing her work and using it to influence humanity itself.

The original idea came from my long-standing fascination with the strange and often counterintuitive world of quantum theory, particularly the work of Einstein and the wider questions it raises about reality.

This is your first novel – what kind of book did you set out to write, and how did that vision evolve as you worked on it?

I set out to write a strong, engaging thriller, but with just enough grounding in real science to intrigue readers without sending them off to sleep. The early drafts were definitely at risk of the latter.

As I progressed, I learned the importance of economy in writing and began to trust the reader more. Sometimes you can say just as much through what you leave out as what you put on the page.

At its core, A Quantum of Thought is a fast-paced thriller, but beneath that I’ve woven in deeper ideas about how we perceive the world, encouraging readers to open their minds and question whether what we experience as reality is truly the full picture.

With a great deal of help, encouragement, and persistence, the book has ultimately become exactly what I wanted it to be.

Were there any particular themes or questions you were keen to explore through the story?

The main question I wanted to explore is ‘What is reality?’ It sounds simple, but the more you think about it, the more profound it becomes. We all get so wrapped up in our daily lives, our families, and the constant pressure of work and responsibilities that we forget to take a step back and think – Wow, this life is incredible!

When you do, you start to ask bigger questions. How did all this matter around us come into being? Where did life and consciousness come from? Despite all our scientific progress, we still don’t have definitive answers.

I’m fascinated by the idea that the intersection between quantum theory and consciousness may hold the key, and one day we’ll work it out. Until then, I believe we should live in awe of the amazing gift we have been given and enjoy the ride!

What did your writing process look like before you started working with The Writing Coach – and what were you finding most challenging at that stage?

This question assumes I had a process!

I quite literally sat down and wrote ‘Chapter 1’ to see what would come out. At the start, I was really pleased with the first three chapters, and it felt like I was making good progress. But I soon found myself writing into corners and getting into knots, having to step back and rethink the plot many times over.

After eventually grinding out the first draft at 102,000 words, I knew I needed input from someone who really understood the craft. The manuscript was too long, with extended passages on the science that I personally loved, but which risked losing the reader. It needed tightening and a more structured review of the plot.

That’s where the advice and feedback from Mark Leggatt at The Writing Coach proved invaluable.

Many first-time novelists struggle to reach the finish line. What do you think were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome in completing this book?

When I first started writing, I was working 60 hours a week in IT, so finding the time to focus on writing was the biggest challenge. As a result, it took several years to complete the first draft.

I also had a lot to learn about the economy of words. My paragraphs would ramble and I would often use twenty words when ten would have been enough. I learned that you always need to take the story forward, avoid too much backstory, and trust the reader to fill in the gaps.

On reflection, the key was simply getting the first draft out of my system. From there, with guidance and feedback from Mark, I finally had a clear process to follow, a roadmap that helped turn that initial draft into something polished and ready to present to a prospective agent.

Was there a moment during the writing process when the story really ‘clicked’ for you?

Yes, and interestingly it came during the editing process. That was the point where I read back through the manuscript properly and realised how many unnecessary words I’d been using.

As the story was refined and tightened, it became far easier to read, and the plot also clicked into place and felt much more solid.

You’ve said that working with consultant Mark Leggatt was pivotal in getting the novel to a point where you felt confident putting it out into the world– what difference did that mentoring make for you in practice?

Mark was brilliant. The report he wrote gave me the encouragement and confidence to continue, but he also had the honesty to point out where the manuscript was failing.

He highlighted the strengths and what I was doing right as a writer, but more importantly, he provided clear and constructive feedback about how I could improve. He showed me the importance of hooking the reader from the start, learning to show rather than tell, refining dialogue and adding action around it to bring scenes to life.

It also became obvious that I was using far too many words to drive the story forward. He used a simple six-word story to show that sometimes it’s what you don’t say that tells the real story:

For sale.

Baby’s shoes.

Never worn.

Can you give an example of a piece of advice, technique or shift in thinking that really helped move the book forward?

There are many things I learned from Mark while working with him, but two stand out.

My point of view was all over the place in the first draft, which would have made it difficult for the reader to follow. One of the key lessons was to stay with a single character’s perspective throughout a chapter and maintain that clarity.

Plan the book in advance! It’s far easier to work on a plan, write the first draft and adjust as you go along, than to write the book without one. During the editing process, I went back and mapped out exactly what I wanted each chapter to achieve and what information I wanted passed on to the reader. With that structure in place, the editing and writing process was much easier.

How did having a professional sounding board change your confidence as a writer?

It’s completely transformed my confidence as a writer. Before that, I was wandering in the wilderness without a map for many months before I got the guidance I needed. After the amount of editing and re-writing I had to do to get the novel into a state where I was happy to publish, it’s a lesson I will never forget.

At the same time, I try not to be too hard on myself. I started writing simply to see if I could do it, and developing an approach and style is an evolution for any writer.

I am under no illusion that I still have a lot to learn. But Mark gave me a clear map to follow, and I’m now writing with an approach that feels natural and, more importantly, enjoyable.

How did it feel to finally hold your finished book in your hands for the first time?

It felt incredible to hold the finished book in my hands for the first time. After many years of writing, editing, and reading the book on screen, holding a physical copy, feeling the pages, and even smelling the ink is amazing.

The sense of achievement that comes with it is huge. Most people who say they want to write a book never actually start, let alone finish one, so just reaching that point puts you in a very small percentage. That alone makes it feel like something worth celebrating.

Now that A Quantum of Thought: The Discovery is out in the world, what are you most proud of about this debut?

I’m proud that I set out with a goal of writing and publishing a novel, and I’ve done it. Not only did I finish it, but the end result is the book I wanted it to be.

I’m also incredibly grateful that the feedback and reviews so far have been so positive, which makes the whole journey feel even more rewarding.

Are you already thinking about what comes next – another novel, or further exploration of this world?

A Quantum of Thought – The Discovery is the first in a trilogy. The second novel, Saving Gaia, has already been planned and the first draft is being written.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring novelists who have a book inside them but are struggling to get it finished?

Writing is 100% about persistence. Writing is hard … but keep on writing. Don’t lose heart, believe in yourself and your work. Most people don’t even attempt what you’re trying to achieve. Take a break when you need to and seek advice when you feel stuck.

Plan your chapters and ensure they deliver what you want them to. When you’re writing, immerse yourself in the life of the characters. See through their eyes, hear what they hear, and most importantly feel how they feel and then write it. 

Remember, writing is not about the words you use. It’s about how you make the reader feel.

To find out more about Adrian click here.