Up Close is an interview series for Biddulph Nub News, talking to local people about their businesses, hobbies, or anything else they want to chat about!

A Biddulph counsellor and psychotherapist wants to help people to "dissolve the noise" around themselves in his new book.

We first interviewed Nick Cameron back in January to discuss the benefits of counselling and the effect of lockdowns on mental health.

Nick has a range of free self help guides on his website and provides services for people who might be facing unhelpful or difficult thoughts.

Now he has released a book, entitled 'The Little Book of Now', which teaches readers to deal with overthinking - whether it's anxious, depressive or obsessive thoughts.

Nick told Nub News how he wants people to be able to "experience life in its totality" by learning how to "dissolve" these annoying thoughts.

Read our interview with Nick below...

What gave you the inspiration to write this book? Were there any events or realisations in your life or the lives of anyone you know that helped you come up with the idea?

"I've always been interested in creative writing and over the last year or so I've been writing short self help guides on my website blog.

"It was often quite difficult to get the true essence across to the reader in such a short piece of text, which encouraged me to expand on some themes and eventually develop chapter length pieces which formed the base of the book.

"I also became aware of certain teachings and practices which resonated with many clients in real life, and I felt many more people could benefit from implementing them in their own life."

Is this your first book or have you written any other books previously? Is sitting down to write a book a challenge or is it something that comes naturally, and how long did you work on this book?

"I joke that this is my third book, though my previous two books were written when I was about seven years old - 'Crab Got Married' and 'The Ghosts and the Boys', but neither have been published... yet! So yes, my first book.

"Writing the book itself was a relatively easy process and I took my time with it, over the space of a year.

"Perhaps the most challenging aspects were the admin side of things: graphics, illustrator, cover design and so on.

"There was a lot of down time waiting for these things to be done. But no complaints, the process was very enjoyable!"

In your Amazon description you say the book is a guide to help people "dissolve the noise around you" and "discover your true self". What exactly do you mean by this?

"Dissolving the noise is in effect dissolving pointless mind activity. Overthinking, what ifs, anxiety, depressive or obsessive thoughts are self generated and so in many instances mind-made suffering emerges from one's self.

"Learning to identify and detach from the incessant stream of thinking presents the reader with the opportunity to experience life in its totality.

"In a similar way, having a strong identification of the 'true self' means a false identity is no longer chased in fleeting moments such as jobs, relationships, social media and so on, which prevents conflict when these fleeting moments inevitably change."

What is the reason for the book's title, 'The Little Book of Now'?

"I experimented with a few different titles throughout the writing process. I would keep the title at the top of the editor and see how it felt, like trying on a new pair of shoes.

"Some didn't work but 'The Little Book of Now' captured the essence of the book. It is a simple title and isn't bold or overpowering.

"It is simply inviting the reader into the present moment, the now, away from the noise of the past and the future."

What kind of person do you think would benefit most from reading this book?

"Many of the themes and teachings have been adapted and used with real life clients who have found them to be very helpful.

"Some who have found them life changing. I think most people, regardless of situation or difficulty could benefit and find comfort from the book."

Nick's book 'The Little Book of Now' is available on Amazon now.

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