A YOUNG author has followed in his father’s footsteps by penning his debut novel.

Bradwell-on-Sea resident Michael ‘Michaela’ Trueman, 19, has self-published his first book, a romance set in Colchester called Cue Romance. The blurb said: “Their eyes meet across a snooker table... or so Jude thought.

“In reality, Cecilia, the stunning blonde who’s caught his eye is looking at the ball she wants to pot.

“She hasn’t even noticed Jude, but he’s noticed her.

“Cue Romance is a tale of fun, friendship, and love under a mostly-sunny and sometimes seagull-filled Essex sky.”

Michael Michaela Trueman, author of Cue Romance

Michael 'Michaela' Trueman, author of Cue Romance

Michael, who uses the name Michaela as his pen name, said he has been writing and telling stories orally for as long as he can remember.

“I’m always discovering old notebooks with stories in around the house, and people I know can remember me telling them stories when I was little,” he added.

“My late dad, Richard Trueman, was a writer, and this inspired me to be one.

“I was inspired to write Cue Romance while watching the Masters snooker tournament.

“I thought about how nice it would be to include snooker in a book, and could picture two people meeting in a snooker club.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: The book cover for Cue RomanceThe book cover for Cue Romance

“The idea grew from there, inspired by people I know, people I’ve met, and people I’ve seen on TV.

“I chose to set it in Essex because it is such a varied county.

“It has people from all walks of life, and such a diverse history. Anything could happen in Essex.

“I specifically chose Colchester for Cue Romance because I know it quite well, and I thought its wealth of history suited Cecilia, the book’s heroine.”

The young writer said he has more books in the pipeline and hopes to publish more on ideas of romance.

The book costs £8.99 and can be bought on Amazon or at the Maldon Books bookshop.