Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that I enjoy writing about too many things. Food, drink, travel, theatre, books, history, gardening… I’ve dabbled and scribbled in all these areas, and more. It also didn’t me long to figure out that poetry takes up few words and, I thought, should be easier to do. It isn’t. But that hasn’t stopped me. I’ve written five books, (and been contributor to many others), four plays, lots of songs and hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Try and Stop Me! The Poetry, is my second book of poetry and comes out this summer. It provides a glimpse of the journey that the father of a suicidal, depressed teenage girl took. It is the story of fatherhood, and all the pain and joy that entails. It was originally planned as a novel but I grew impatient so instead of 80,000 words I put out 5,000. Then I realized the novel still had to be written, so that’s what I’m doing now.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
There’s nothing unusual about writing while sitting down with a drink, I suppose. Although some might wince at the unusual concoctions in my glass, on occasion. What seems to be unusual is that I’m a writer that never, ever takes notes when I’m out and about, or travelling, or overhearing conversations. Over the years, family and friends have given me many beautiful journals and notebooks, all of which remain untouched in a cupboard in my office.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many authors and so many books! I enjoyed Shakespeare when I was a teenager but rarely see or hear him now. I loved Spike Milligan in both his crazy and serious moods. Bill Bryson is a good storyteller, and I often enjoy books passed along to me from a local ladies’ book club, such as Girl on the Train, A House in the Sky, The Light Between Oceans, Us…
What are you working on now?
A novel entitled Try and Stop Me! It’s based on a true story of a father who struggles to prevent his depressed teenage daughter from committing suicide. It’s actually way more fun than you’d think, being grounded firmly in the “if you didn’t laugh you’d cry” corner of the world. It’s an intriguing story with many surprising turns and revelations, and it’s hard to figure who is trying to heal or help whom.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I almost never promote my books. I’m lazy and forgetful, and, sorry, quite modestly Canadian.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read a lot, and write even more. Find your own voice and write for yourself; if others enjoy reading your work consider it a bonus. Writing is a good investment of time. Good writing takes lots of time, but good work lasts far longer than it took to write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be lazy – edit!
What are you reading now?
I’m between books and having trouble finding one I can lose myself in. I’ve been enjoying a few biographies of musicians – Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, George Harrison, Billy Idol…
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to finish the novel this year but I know I will get distracted by wanting to write more poetry. I should also write to my mother (who lives across the ocean).
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?
I very rarely read a book more than once, but in the spirit of having a small library to browse while stranded, I’d say:
A book of Spike Milligan’s poetry (not sure which one) to help keep me sane.
English Journey by J.B. Priestly, to remind me where I came from.
Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, because that’s almost like having a thousand books in one.
Albert, ‘Arold and Others, by Marriott Edgar, just because.
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