AN Alexandria poet admits his journey from fearful young bard to Amazon-selling author has been “interesting” and insists he is already planning his next book.

Mark Donachie says he used to write down poems on bits of paper during his Vale of Leven Academy schooldays only to then bin them before anyone could see them through his sheer embarrassment.

In May, Mark published his first collection of poems with the release of his book Alleycat and, speaking exclusively to the Reporter, explained it’s a far cry from where he saw himself when he was younger.

He said: “At school I quite liked English, and I was actually going to study English at university, but I didn’t want to be an English teacher.

“So, I studied law instead and actually went into that after four years and my diploma.

“Then I got a job and thought this is not for me at all.

“But the company I worked with had a blog, and I was tasked with writing their blog, and it was there I decided I actually preferred the writing side of things than the law.”

Mark quit his job as a trainee solicitor and went into marketing, where he currently works for the Glasgow Credit Union.

Now, at 28 years old, he thought it was time to pick up one of his first passions – poetry.

He added: “I make little journal entries on my notes app on my phone.

“That’s how I write my poems.

“I do sometimes sit and write at the computer, but I notice my inspiration will just come really randomly.

“I always remember I was in Sainsbury’s on Great Western Road with my friend, and we were in the freezer aisle, and I know it sounds really weird, but this poem just came into my head.

“I then wrote it down and it made the book – I didn’t even tweak it.

“I sometimes feel it doesn’t even come from me. It just flows naturally, so it’s nice.

“That’s how it all started, and I just thought, I am actually just going to get this done, I’m going to release a book.”

Mark explained the book has done really well over the summer and has even “charted at number three in the world for gay poetry".

The book is split between three parts, with the premise of the book being “becoming the light in the dark.”

The first chapter is about pain, heartbreak and struggling with sexuality. Part two is about love and relationships and the third and final section is about strength, recovery and overcoming heartbreak.

“The next book is going to be all about finding your path, finding your own way, your own career,” Mark added.

“But that is years down the line.”