Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have published four books from The Owners series and have a further two ready to go and four more still to write.
I became a full time author two years ago upon release of The Owners Volume I: Alone and have not looked back since! I try to write at least three days a week during school terms when the house is quiet and empty.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book [not yet published] is entitled Split Decisions and it came about by me thinking of a ‘what if’ scenario. It was a very complex book to write but I enjoyed it immensely!
Split Decisions is a contemporary book, set very much in the world we live in today and this is reflected both in its characters and plotlines. It has a completely different target audience to The Owners and it was nice for a change not to be world-building as sci-fi so often requires.
Like all my books, Split Decision will appeal to adults and teens alike so hold on to your hats readers!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write sitting on my bed. It’s not a creative thing as I can write anywhere…I’m just more comfortable there. But like most authors I always have a coffee to hand and am constantly refilling the mug!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am quite an eclectic reader and always have been. As a child I enjoyed Enid Blyton and Charles Dickens before moving on to George Orwell and the like.
One of the books which made the biggest impression on me was Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – the concepts seemed huge!
Nowadays I tend to read Dean Koontz because I find him kind to his characters and I think that’s important when you are reading a book.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on another novel called The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons [working title so may change].
It’s a complex tale but there are moments of real mirth in there too, as is often the case in real life. I know we all strive to make our characters more than two-dimensional but this is actually rather hard to achieve.
In The Boy Who Rescues Pigeons I hope the reader will be able to see beneath the characters’ exteriors to the motivations, beliefs and compulsions which drive their every action.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t honestly think I have discovered that yet!
To be honest I think the books pretty much sell themselves and figures show that the readers who buy volume I come back for the other volumes, so I must be doing something right. 🙂
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be very sure your nerves and self-esteem can take the criticism that will be levelled at you – writing is one of the toughest businesses to get into.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As long as you are doing what makes you happy then you are the most successful person in the world! It is not all about financial gain…although the rent still has to be paid obviously.
What are you reading now?
I have got a new book [Stephen King] which I am saving for my days lazing by the pool in Lanzarote!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Books, books and even more books!
I have about thirty novels I have yet to write. As my grandfather used to say, “no rest for the wicked!” 😉
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?
Lightening by Dean Koontz; The Stand by Stephen King; Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and Watership Down by Richard Adams which was another book which influenced me immensely when I read it as a child.
The Koontz book would represent hope for me whilst the others would perhaps remind me that being stranded on a desert island would not be the worst thing that could happen to me!
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