Our Interview with Kevin Rau!

                                   


                                                       Bio

Born in 1970, I've been interested in fantasy and science fiction since perhaps the age of 10. I believe my love of medieval knights came about when my father built a wooden shield and sword for me to use in elementary school for some event.

Through my school years I read hundreds (or thousands? - it's hard to recall at this point) of fantasy and science fiction novels. Comic books and super heroes came a bit later, although I recall seeing the Christopher Reeve Superman movies at a very young age (and loving them). Since my later teens I believe I've watched nearly every major fantasy, science fiction, and super-hero movie that has come out.

I still love reading fantasy and science fiction, although I wish there were more novels based on superheroes. This is something that drove me to create my own supers universe and heroes in written form. I love supers, but I've always wanted more character depth than a comic book can provide. (Not to mention the immense length of time it takes for a comic series to do a story is just plain too long to me.)

Writing is a hobby for me, I'm a full-time computer programmer and systems administrator for a small company. Fortunately the skills I've learned allow me to work with 3D programs to render the characters (and covers) for my books. My hope is to put out a novel or two a year, time allowing. At this point I'd like to grow the H.E.R.O. Universe with more novels, as well as start a fantasy series at some point.

                                              Bio provided by author's site

It was our pleasure to get the opportunity to learn a little more about Kevin and how he came to writting his series of books. So get comfortable and please give a great big warm welcome to Kevin!

1. What makes for a good hook in your stories? Where does your inspiration come from?

The characters are the primary inspiration. They all "feel" like real people to me, and I want to put them in situations that they have to react to. As to the story hooks, I tend to come up with a small group (2-4) of core "problems" that will arise in each novel. For some odd reason, strange things just happen along the way to introduce other issues.

2. Are you an organized writer? Do you do things like take notes and make lists of characters? Or do you free write and work it out as you go?

I do both. Generally, I'll create a rough outline for 6-12 chapters (for a 30-35 chapter book) and start writing with those in mind. I find that the actual story takes a life of its own and ends up different than my plan in many cases. If I finish the chapters I've laid out ahead of time, I'll think ahead with another 6-12 chapters. There are cases where the story just flows, and I go with it in those cases. I also maintain a spreadsheet with many tabs with information on characters, locations, Stephanie's course schedule, information on "tech ideas" for a superhero world, forthcoming ideas on heroes and villains, and more.

3. What is your normal writing day like? Do you write when you are inspired or do you have a schedule?

I work a full-time job as a one-man Information Technology department, and the writing is part-time for me. (Part-time being another 40-60 hours of a week.) While in the "writing phase" of a novel I spend nearly all my free time (e.g. time not spent with family and friends) writing or planning, with as few distractions as possible. In this phase my minimum goal is to average 2,500 words per day (averaged over 7 days a week). My "real" goal is to push 3,500+ words a day on average. I hit the editing phase(s) just as hard. After that comes art creation (I create most of the characters in the books in 3D and put them on my website and Facebook) - these I use for the cover art. Oh, and somewhere in there I squeeze in marketing and promotion on nearly a daily basis. So overall I don't have a schedule - I simply spend almost all my time on it.

4. Who is your favorite author and how did they inspire you to write?

I love Laurel K. Hamilton's books. One thing I love about books are the characters - I want to see them in many situations, and "live" with them. Hamilton writes her Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series as ongoing series. I like this style of writing because I can continue along with them over time. Single novels (not part of a series) aren't on my favored reading list because I get into the character(s), and then they ... end.

5. It’s easy to see that you have a passion for writing but is there any part of it you don’t like?

The marketing and promotion is rough. My personality doesn't fit well into it, but it's required to get the word out. Don't get me wrong, I love talking about my novels and the characters, but the advertising I'm speaking of rarely involves that.

6. Do you make time to read and if you do what are you reading right now?

Right now I'm not reading anything. Most of my reading these days involves blogs, marketing tips and techniques and information on self-publishing. I'm hoping to get past this stage soon, although it seems to be neverending.

7. How did you get started in writing in the superhero fiction genre? Is there personal life experience in the writing?

I've been a fan of comic books for about 25 years, and love movies based on superheroes. I've also been a role-player for even longer, and have dreamed of being a superhero. After a reading binge at the end of 2008 I hit the "end of the line" with so many characters that I realized the only way I'd truly be able to have characters continue is if I started writing. I thought about both the superhero and the fantasy genres, and decided that I'd go with a superhero series first. At some point I'll start up a fantasy series, and then will likely alternate books back and forth. As to personal experience ... no. While many of my characters have bits of my personality, each is their own person and should react according to their history and personality traits.

8. Your books have been published with Amazon.com, Does this mean you see the publishing industry headed this way?

I think of the publishing industry being much like the great herds of bison in the United States some time ago. There aren't many left - and that's what I foresee occurring with the publishing industry. As tablets become more and more useful, portable, and long-lasting, I believe those will become a device we all either carry around or keep on the coffee table. We won't bring a single book with us when we have the option to bring hundreds, plus e-mail, web-surfing and other interests. We also won't have the issue of a bookstore being out of stock on a book (or series) simply because it didn't sell in the last quarter for them. (Also, both publishers and bookstores have a very "Old Boys" club feel to them. If you aren't welcomed into it, then having your books ordered by a store is very difficult.

9. Do you have any online sites where others can read more of your writings?

http://www.facebook.com/herobooks is my official Facebook page.

http://www.kevinrau.com is my official Author page, although I'm shifting more over time to the Facebook page.

10. Do you have any more stories in the works? What kinds of stories do you plan to write next?

My sixth novel in the H.E.R.O. series is with the editors and proofreader right now. The cover is complete, so it should be released in the next week or so. I'm working on the seventh book for H.E.R.O. - this will be an illustrated guidebook, with information about the roughly 120 characters found in the 6 books so far, as well as 3D rendered artwork of them. After the guidebook I'll do another book for the H.E.R.O. series.

11. Who would be your first choice to play the voice of Greg Paffen from your book called "H.E.R.O. - Horde"?

Oh my, the guy's insane and bitter to no end. He's also dead (but still roaming around). Would it be an insult to name someone? I'll assume not ... Keifer Sutherland might be interesting for the voice, he's had some nice diversity in voices between roles. Mark Hamill also does excellent voice work.

12. If you could meet anyone from any time who would it be and what would be your first question?

Assuming I could speak the same language I think it would be interesting to meet the person behind the building of the Sphinx. I'd ask, "What's your reason behind building this mammoth structure?" On the other hand, I guess I'd love to ask J.K. Rowling how to market a book!

Wendy - thank you very much for your time on the interview. Feel free to contact me anytime, and the same goes with readers on my Facebook page. I welcome discussion.

Our Interview with Bon Rose!

                                


                                                Bio

Born in Iowa, I grew up reading the Nancy Drew Mysteries. As a teen I did a rough draft of a short story but it wasn't until a year ago that I finally took my time to sit down and re-write it, and then had it published as an e-short story called Old Jacob. I now have several short stories and one book with the first 6 stories which is called The "Old Adventures of Hailey and Jared". These stories were written with my grandchildren in mind and are based on some adventures from my childhood. I did write one story for adults "Dying to Write" as once I start a story it's hard to stop and it occurred to me that I could do a story about it. I have sold a few and of course would love to sell a bunch more but the feeling of accomplishment when I finished a story is satisfying enough.

                                                  Bio provided by author's site

It was our pleasure to get an opportunity to interview another person from Iowa. Bon has written several other stories as well. So get comfortable and please give a warm welcome to Bon Rose!

1. What makes for a good hook in your stories? Where does your inspiration come from?

Most of my stories come from my childhood memories and experiences. They are spooky enough to keep children's interest but not scary enough to keep them up at night LOL

2. Are you an organized writer? Do you do things like take notes and make lists of characters? Or do you free write and work it out as you go?

I guess you could say free write. I normally have the same main characters. I first think of a subject that could have something spooky about it and then go from there.

3. What is your normal writing day like? Do you write when you are inspired or do you have a schedule?

When I'm inspired, which could be everyday or once every two months.

4. Who is your favorite author and how did they inspire you to write?

Since I like mysteries and horror I guess Stephen King, as I've read most of his books. He didn't inspire me but when I was a kid I loved the Nancy Drew mysteries and wanted to write because of those so I guess Carolyn Keene is the actual author that inspired me to write.

5. It’s easy to see that you have a passion for writing but is there any part of it you don’t like?

Sometimes it seems like once I start, then I can't stop until it's done so things fall to the wayside. This actually gave me the idea for my short story "Dying To Write"

6. Do you make time to read and if you do what are you reading right now?

I love to read and right now have several authors' works from Amazon that I have been reading. Right at this time I'm reading the Bible. It's actually a very interesting book!

7. How did you get started in writing in suspensful thrillers? Is there personal life experience in the writing?

Yes definitely personal life experience from my childhood. The Old School, is from when a friend and I rode out bike to explore an old and vacant school in the small town I lived in. Old Injun Joe is from my Great Aunt and Uncle's farm. Old Jacob from a small town I lived in that had coal mines. I have as of now, 11 short stories that are either from life experiences or personal interest in what I think is fun and spooky.

8. Your books have been published with Amazon.com, Does this mean you see the publishing industry headed this way?

 I do think the publishing is headed towards reading books this way but I mainly did it as it was the only way I could afford to get my writing out for readers to have access.

9. Do you have any online sites where others can read more of your writings?

I do have them listed on Barnes and Noble.

10. Do you have any more stories in the works? What kinds of stories do you plan to write next?

I just published my newest in the Old Adventures of Hailey and Jared series called The Old Barn, Series #10. I am thinking of sequels to my one adult short story Dying to Write. Something like a "Dying To..." series such as Dying to Travel, Dying to Eat etc.

11. Who would be your first choice to play Ryan from your book "Dying to Write"?

Jack Nicholsen

12. If you could meet anyone from any time who would it be and what would be your first question?

WOW, let's see.... The wife of King Tut - How did he die? I'm sure as I sleep tonight a ton of other people and questions will haunt me but this is one mystery I'd like to see solved.

Our Interview with MJ Schutte!

                                      

                                      Bio
MJ lives in Brits, a small town in South Africa's North West province, with his wife and three children.
After reading his debut fantasy novel, Energy, his wife asked how he thought of everything that happened in the book and he answered: "There is an entire world that exists only in my mind. All I have to do is close my eyes and listen."

                                             From the author:

From a very early age I loved reading fantasy.
There has always been a question that burned in my mind though:
Where does magic come from?
The idea for "Energy" was sparked by this question.
Nothing can come from nothing.
If a wizard does something magical, like create fire, there has to be something behind the magic.
That something is energy.

My debut novel, Energy - The Awakening, is the first in a trilogy called The Energy Chronicles.
In this book the talent of energy manipulation is discovered and explored.
Some people have the talent to feel and take energy from other living things.
In rare cases this talent is very strong enabling a person to take, give and manipulate all forms of energy, even the temporary energy of an arrow in flight.

From the first chapter the reader will be drawn into Brighton and Lilian's world, sharing the happiness, sadness, tragedy and love they share as they fight against all odds and great evil to be together.
Brighton faces seemingly insurmountable odds in his battle against evil and even has to cheat death to be with Lilian.
He is forced to use his talent to its fullest extent, and even beyond what he thought was possible, to save the people he loves.
Lilian also faces tough choices as she has to choose between her love for Brighton and saving the world from yet another evil tyrant.

In book II, Birth of a Wizard, the concept of energy manipulation and some other special talents are explored as well as the inevitable perceptions of magic and unwanted reputations that follows.

                                             Bio provided by author's site

I had the very great fortune to get an opportunity to interview MJ and learn more about him and his fantastic book Energy! I loved the book and sought him out to interview him. Fortunately for us, he agreed! So please grab your favorite warm beverage on this windy chilly afternoon nad give a warm welcome to MJ!

1.    What makes for a good hook in your stories? Where does your inspiration come from?

I love books that are full of suspense, twists and edge-of-your-seat-moments. I wanted to write a book like that and looking at the comments and reviews I’ve received on Energy, it would seem it was a success.

 2.    Are you an organized writer? Do you do things like take notes and make lists of characters? Or do you free write and work it out as you go?

I don’t have any notes or lists. The entire Energy Chronicles Trilogy is like a movie playing over and over in my head. I just close my eyes and watch for a while before I start writing.

3.What is your normal writing day like? Do you write when you are inspired or do you have a schedule?

Previously I was lucky enough to have plenty of time to write so I wrote whenever I felt inspired. Unfortunately reality caught up with us and both my wife and I had to start working again to earn a living so now I have much less time to write. I may have to work according to a schedule once I start writing the third book in the trilogy.

4.   Who is your favorite author and how did they inspire you to write?

If I have to choose just one I would go with Raymond E Feist. I read Magician many years ago but still remember how I used to take the book with me everywhere I went so that I could sneak a few pages every so often!

5.    It’s easy to see that you have a passion for writing but is there any part of it you don’t like?

Proof reading and editing my own work is impossible for me! Luckily my wife, Tracy, is very willing to help me out with this.

6.    Do you make time to read and if you do what are you reading right now?

I wish I had more time to read! I have a number of books on my TBR list but I simply don’t have the time to get to it.

7.    How did you get started on writing in the dark fantasy genre? etc. Is there personal life experience in the writing?

Magic and sorcery have fascinated me from a young age, but I’m also a logical thinker. Nothing can come from nothing. If a Wizard can throw fireballs, where do those fireballs come from? Everywhere around us is energy. Does it not make sense that there must be energy behind magic? Is magic not simply the ability to manipulate energy? These questions have burned in my head for many years and eventually I decided to write a book about it. The story I want to tell is too long for a single book so I create The Energy Chronicles trilogy. 

8.    Your books have been published with Amazon.com, Does this mean you see the publishing industry headed this way?

Amazon.com is providing great tools for new authors like myself to get their books published. If we were to rely on traditional publishers I believe that an enormous amount of good books will never be published or read.

9.    Do you have any online sites where others can read more of your writings?

At the moment I work almost exclusively on Facebook. Soon I will have a website where fans can read about my books, upcoming events and what I am planning for the future.

10.    Do you have any more stories in the works? What kinds of stories do you plan to write next?

Once The Energy Chronicles Trilogy is done I will continue writing. I already have ideas for another few books.

11.      Who would be your first choice to play Brighton and Lily from your book "Energy"?

I have not really thought about this. Are there any fans out there who would like to apply for the roles?

12.If you could meet anyone from any time who would it be and what would be your first question?

Since I love tennis and have also played the sport for many years, I would love to meet Roger Federer. My question to him would be “How do you stay so calm on the tennis court?”
I believe he is the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen.

How about it Roger? Fancy a game of tennis?

Our Interview with Peter Empringham!

                      

                                                                          Bio

The author is a man with a long track record of success. None of this has been in the literary world.
Born and raised in a British east coast backwater, and set to work as a child in the family holiday camp business, I nevertheless broke out to study English and American Literature at the University of East Anglia under a host of luminaries including Malcolm Bradbury and Lorna Sage. Since graduation my career has been a long upward curve to senior global management roles in the telecommunications industry, for which a literature degree is clearly the best foundation.
A lack of profile in the arts is not for want of trying. As a youth, my local paper described me as ‘pompous beyond his years’ in the role of Toad in Toad of Toad Hall; my acting career continued at university where I took the lead in Snoo Wilson’s Vampires, the popularity of which may be to some extent explained by the full frontal female nudity not entirely demanded by the script. The stage may not have been my career, but this experience no doubt contributed to my ability to present more than competently to audiences of up to a thousand people in my business career.

As a writer I have been prolific if not public. My first collection of short stories was explicably rejected by The New Yorker, who said that my writing ‘showed promise’ (although the rejection letter was suspiciously formulaic), and I completed my first novel, about a young man raised in east coast backwater working on a holiday camp, at the age of twenty two. I wrote sketches for, and performed in, my University Rag Revue, which was subsequently taken to Edinburgh by Arthur Smith and Phil Nice and contributed regularly to in-house telecommunications publications.
In 2007 I wrote the script for a TV sitcom, ‘The Afternet’, which is now turned into the novel of the same name, and have written the script for the first episode of a TV drama ‘Father and Son’, which did not make it past the BBC scrutineers. I am a writer who has been successful as a businessman, but would rather be the reverse.

                                                      Bio provided by author


It was our pleasure to get the opportunity to interview Peter and get a chance to learn more about how he came to be an author. So get comfortable and grab a warm mug of your favorite beverage and give a warm welcome to Peter!

1. What makes for a good hook in your stories? Where does your inspiration come from?

The real hook for The Afternet comes from the setting. Millions of people are wandering around after their lives come to an end because the computer system that judges them is broken down. From that point the reader doesn’t know whether the next character to pop up will be an invention of mine, an historical character Abraham Lincoln and Jane Austen feature in the first book), or one of the thousands of Gods worshipped in different cultures. From Mark Twain onwards I think writers have loved exploring the incongruity of people out of their time, or characters meeting across history, and the Afternet allows me to do that.

It’s hard to outdo reality, so what goes on around us never ceases to provide new inspiration. Every time I think I might have written something too ridiculous, the news from somewhere proves me wrong.

2.     Are you an organized writer? Do you do things like take notes and make lists of characters?  Or do you free write and work it out as you go?

It’s a mix, but because the world I’ve drawn is very complex, I have had to become very organised about keeping clear notes on who comes from where, or when. There are a potential four billion characters, so thankfully I’ve limited it somewhat. I tend to free write when I start a book, with a vague idea of where it might go, but I become much more organised as I go along, and by halfway I usually have things pretty well plotted out.

3.     What is your normal writing day like? Do you write when you are inspired or do you have a schedule?

I am reasonably disciplined about my writing. I tried the ‘Wait for The Muse’ approach last year and it meant my tennis improved but my book missed Christmas. I write at least four days a week, I start straight after breakfast and do a minimum three hours. I find that I usually wind up doing more than this because I really get into the activity once I’ve started. And I usually want to know how the book ends.

4.     Who is your favorite author and how did they inspire you to write?

The inspiration came from a general and genuine love of books. I studied English and American Lit at University, so I read books across a very wide range for my degree, and that just made me want to write. I realized, after my teenage angst novel, that I probably wasn’t cut out for serious literary effort, and the success of people like Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, and Jasper Fforde in producing intelligent, humorous writing helped me to believe in this genre. It would still, though, be fantastic to write like William Boyd, who just consistently produces high quality, brilliantly written novels.

 5.     It’s easy to see that you have a passion for writing but is there any part of it you don’t like?

Editing. Surely no-one likes it, not even editors. However, even though it is long, boring work, I think it’s really critical, particularly in the e-book environment. Anyone buying a book has the right to know that you’ve done everything to make it as good as it can possibly be.

6.     Do you make time to read and if you do what are you reading right now?

I read a lot, but try to steer clear of anything in any way similar to my work while I am writing. Right now I’ve just finished Matthew Syed’s ‘Bounce’, which is about the value of practice, and I’m on the way through C J Sansom’s ‘Dissolution’. This is a mystery set in the Reformation. I’ve got William Boyd’s new book ‘Waiting For Sunrise’ ready for when I finish.

7.     How did you get started in writing in the comedy fictional genre? Is there personal life experience in the writing?

I think I naturally ended up there because I tend to subconsciously insert humour into most things I write. The Afternet started life as a sitcom script, which I think you can see in the book, because it is a very visual piece of work. I also like the opportunity to make some serious points from within a humorous setting. Since the book is set in the afterlife, I am pleased to say there is nothing directly personal, but I guess like many writers I will take bits of people I have met to fill out characters.

8.     Your books have been published with Amazon.com, Does this mean you see the publishing industry headed this way?

For writers starting out, the traditional publishing world is very hard to break into, and innately conservative. What the e-book market has proved is that writers are much less conservative and very happy to try books across a broad range of writing. I do think the print publishing model is broken, and that unless those in that marketplace do some very fast thinking e-books will become dominant, at least in fiction.

9.     Do you have any online sites where others can read more of your writings?

There is no more, for the moment, at least. I have a blog, which I have to say I’m not very good at, but when the next book comes out soon I will be looking to get my online presence a little more interesting.

10.    Do you have any more stories in the works? What kinds of stories do you plan to write next?

I’ve just finished ‘The Afternet II: Redemption’, which I now have the trauma of editing. The book will be on Amazon in time for Easter. There have been more than a thousand downloads of the first book, so I am really hoping that people will want to see how the story develops. I think I will then do something different before coming back to more Afternet books; I have a detective story started which I may well look to bring out next.

11.          If your book were to become a movie, who would be your first choice to play the representatives of God and the Devil in your book "Afternet"?

God’s representative is Geoffrey; he’s a 7^th century turnip farmer. He’s a bit of a bumbling character who is struggling to get a grasp of television. There’s a guy called Chris O’Dowd who we know in the UK for brilliant TV (The IT Crowd), but he’s also recently been in Bridesmaids and Gulliver’s Travels. I think he would get the permanent bewilderment really well. The Devil’s man is Marcel, a French libertine from the 17^th century; he’s smooth, good-looking, and has the facility to be quite unpleasant. Topically, it has to be Jean Dujardin. Do you think he can do unpleasant?

12.    If you could meet anyone from any time who would it be and what would be your first question?

Henry VIII would be interesting, although I’d have to keep him away from my wife. I’d like to know whether he actually believed in any of it (the adultery, the enclosures, the sacking of the monasteries…)

Our Interview with Leigh Mitchell!

                     

                                                          Bio
Hello. I'm Leigh. I'm twenty six years old and I live in Southend-On-Sea, a town famous for being home to the longest pleasure pier in the world. I'm lucky that frequently vandalized wooden structures inspire me. I'm an aspiring author, a backpacker, a television watcher, a boyfriend, a brother and a son.

This story is based on some elements of my real life, but mostly just things that I wanted to happen.

In the two years that have passed since I started writing it, some of the things that I wrote and wanted to happen, did.

                                              Bio provided by author

It was our pleasure to get the opportunity to interview Leigh and learn more about him and how he came to be a writer. So get comfortable and give a warm welcome to Leigh!

1. What makes for a good hook in your stories? Where does your inspiration come from?

I’ve always written with a keen eye on suspense, I like to keep things a little mysterious. It may seem as though I’m making it up as I go a long, and to be totally honest I enjoy giving that impression, because you never quite know where the story is going. It keeps me turning pages, and hopefully my story does the same. My inspiration comes from the people I love, the places I’ve visited, and the stories I read as a child. The innocence and artlessness of first love is something that has always fascinated me, and that’s what I want to try and capture

2. Are you an organized writer? Do you do things like take notes and make lists of characters? Or do you free write and work it out as you go?

I’m not an organized writer by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m not an organized human either! I tend to have an idea for a character or a series of dialogue, keep a notebook with me wherever I go and then patch it all together when I have some spare time.

3. What is your normal writing day like? Do you write when you are inspired or do you have a schedule? 

  I only really write when I’m inspired. Schedules take all the fun out of it for me and that’s when I lose interest. My favourite time to write is when I’m travelling to visit my girlfriend, I have a couple of hours to myself on the train and that’s when it flows.

4. Who is your favorite author and how did they inspire you to write?

My favourite author is, and always has been Roald Dahl. His ability to write for children without patronizing them, and to reveal his dark sense of humour without offending anyone, made me want to do this. I enjoy his stories as much now as I did as a five year old, and I can’t wait to read them to my children.

5. It’s easy to see that you have a passion for writing but is there any part of it you don’t like?

Sometimes I struggle with showing people my work. I guess a lot of writers have the same problem, but I write for myself first and foremost so I’ve always found that part of it difficult. It’s only as I’ve got older that I’ve gained the confidence to let others read the things I’ve written, but the reaction I’ve received has been amazing

6. Do you make time to read and if you do what are you reading right now?

I do, as much as possible. At the moment I’m reading the rum diary by Hunter S. Thompson. It’s fantastic; I love the chaos of his writing.

7. How did you get started in writing in the humorous fictional genre? Is there personal life experience in the writing?

  I’ve always tried to write what I find funny, but ‘naive eyes’ was an idea that I came upon whilst backpacking around the world. It actually stems from a poem I wrote in Fiji, and it was something I couldn’t get out of my head for six months! I thought I had to write it down to get the voices to shut up, it worked, but it was touch and go that I might get sectioned for a little while.

8. Your books have been published with Amazon.com, Does this mean you see the publishing industry headed this way?

I spend a lot of time on trains, and all I see now is commuters with e-readers, so yeah I guess I do. Its great in some ways, especially for aspiring authors, but I do think it’s sad that future generations might never experience the pleasure of holding a paperback.

9. Do you have any online sites where others can read more of your writings?

I’m currently in the process of setting up a website that will include excerpts from another novel I’m in the process of writing, as well as some other bits and pieces. A good friend of mine will also contribute, but for now the vast majority of my work is sitting in an old fashioned pile of scrap paper on my bedside cabinet! 

 

10. Do you have any more stories in the works? What kinds of stories do you plan to write next?

At the moment I’m putting the finishing touches to my second novel, but I don’t plan to release that for a few months. In the meantime I plan to release a collection of short stories, ‘swimwear’, within the next couple of weeks. Again it will be released through Amazon, but I will be sending advance copies to anyone who contacts my facebook page asking for it.

11. Who would be your first choice to play Maximilian Lywood from your book "Naive Eyes"?

Have you ever seen that Bob Dylan movie ‘I’m not there’? Well I’m into the idea that a character can be played by anyone, regardless of gender or race. And because of that my first choice to play Max would be Whoopi Goldberg, I think she’s got the manic screeching act down to a tee.

12. If you could meet anyone from any time who would it be and what would be your first question?

 That’s a great question! If I could meet anyone it would probably be George Harrison, and I’d ask him if he’d give me a cuddle