Interview With Author Ben Berwick
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Howdy! My name is Ben, I live in the UK, I sell bathrooms for a living, and for my sins, I follow Formula 1 motor racing. I love sci-fi, especially Star Trek, and I am a huge fan of most things Disney too. I have published two books, and currently have a third in the hands of my publisher.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Fontana & Istilor, which sort of bubbled up out of nowhere. It’s the story of Michael, a young man propelled into a crazy situation, where he is transformed into, of all things, an anthropomorphic meerkat! He faces a fight on his hands to get home, and he finds himself dealing with a secret family legacy on his way.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know about *unusual*. I will often imagine scenes in my head, as I walk to and from work, and I’ll try to put those scenes to paper when I get home. Needless to say, what I imagine, and what I put down on the page, do not always match!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a kid, I read a lot of Roald Dahl. His books were captivating and magical to me. The likes of James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory… they were all wonderful stories. As an adult, I have thoroughly enjoyed David Weber’s Honorverse books, and the Old Man’s War saga from John Scalzi crackles with feisty energy. Peter F. Hamilton’s sci-fi works have a brilliant, epic feel to them, and I highly recommend Becky Black’s ‘Shoot the Humans First’.
What are you working on now?
I recently finished the sequel to my debut book, The Awakening. This is now with the publisher, so soon will come the time to go through edits and such. Beyond that, I am looking to follow up on Fontana & Istilor, and I have a couple of projects rattling around in my brain.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I turn to social media for a lot of promotional work, though I have a website, www.meerkatmusings.co.uk, where I talk of my books (among a lot of other stuff!).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Try to enjoy what you write. If you are not entertained by your own words, you can’t reasonably expect someone else to.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
‘Show, not tell’. Let the actions of the characters show the reader the events, and let the characters tell the story.
What are you reading now?
I’m looking to start the Illyria series, by Armin Shimerman.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am looking to write a third part – perhaps a conclusion – to The Awakening. I have also toyed with developing a Roman-era story into a more polished book, and my daughter wants me to develop a dragon story.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Oooooooh… good question. I’d probably take Old Man’s War by John Scalzi, and Shoot the Humans First by Becky Black. Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch, is a compelling read too.
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