Before I begin, let me please just say ***THANK YOU SO MUCH*** for this interview, I really do appreciate it.
Q: In one sentence, tell me something that describes you as a person.
Ah, so no easy questions to ease me in gently then – haha!
As a person, I strive to stand out whilst trying to fit in.
Q: How many books have you written? How many of those are published?
I have written three books and all are self published.
Greater Expectations is a romantic comedy that is very rude and crude but explains single life and the search for love but, uniquely, all from a male perspective.
A Tale Of Three Cities in a romantic / suspense / thriller that is a sequel to Greater Expectations but can be read as a stand alone.
The Christmas Present is a children’s Christmas book written for my son.
Q: Do you have an upcoming release? If yes, tell me the title and impending release date.
I do have a book that I am currently working on. Its another children’s book with a preliminary title of The Girl in the Window, and it is a sequel to The Christmas Present.
The release date is still to be determined but I hope in the next couple of months.
Q: If you could “create” your own genre of what you write, what would you call your books?
I really have no idea. I tend to write the books first and then think of the genre that it best fits into thereafter. This allows me the freedom to explore my imagination and write without any constraints.
Q: Without quoting your back cover synopsis, tell me about the last book you published.
The Christmas Present was the last book I published and it tells the story of a little boy who has lost sight of what Christmas is all about. He is too focused on the presents that he wont get and, feeling completely sorry for himself, he decides to run away to live with his dad and his new family.
On the journey, he meets his elf and Rudolph. He discovers that everyone, from the moment they are born, is allocated an elf by Santa. They even share the same names! The elf endeavors to show the boy the true meaning of Christmas – before it’s too late!
Q: Tell me something about yourself that is separate from writing.
I have lived and worked all over Europe, China, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and now Canada. My mum taught me long ago that money can buy everything except experience and so I have always followed the path that is most interesting rather than one that is most predictable or profitable.
Q: Who is your favorite Author?
Wow, what a question! Where do I start? Dan Brown’s books are always interesting and enjoyable to me. I love Thomas Harris but, sadly, his books are all too few. John Grisham is a staple of mine as you would expect given that I have a couple of law degrees myself. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books were all too enjoyable for me although saying that probably costs me “cool” points – haha!
I also enjoy biographies and autobiographies; I just love reading about other peoples lives and the trials and tribulations they faced. I think I’ve read every book written about Andrew Carnegie. Richard Burton is another favorite.
Q: What is the last book that you read? (Not counting anything you wrote).
It was Dick Cavett’s recollection of the famous interviews he has done over the years.
Q: When writing, do you have a system or something you plan, or do you just write?
I just write, although there is generally a rough plan kicking about somewhere in my head. I love setting a scene and working from there, seeing the scene from each character’s viewpoint. It can be mentally draining but it is so much fun, especially when it all works out.
I would also stress that what other authors say is absolutely true, there does come a point in every book where it starts writing itself. Its very strange but brilliant when it happens.
Q: Any final thoughts that you want to give to your fans or even future authors?
I would like to thank every single person who has taken the time to read any of my writing. You can have no idea how much I appreciate your time and effort. Whenever I write, I do so to the very best of my ability in an effort to ensure that the reading experience is the very best that I can provide.
For any future authors, the single most important piece of advice that I could give is to just start writing. It doesn’t matter what, just write. If you cannot think of what to write – and I know just how frustrating that can be! – just take a book and read a passage and then rewrite what you have just read. Look for the main points of the passage and use them in your own writing. Do you agree with everything that happened in the passage? Would you do anything different? What would you change? Try it and see what you get. ANY changes then become your own work.
This hones your craft.
Remember, people only get to read your work once you let them so have fun in private and watch how your talents and abilities develop and grow.
As I always said when I was teaching: Practice makes perfect!