Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a comedy writer from England and so far have written one novel. But I’m writing another one so there will be more, argh!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my debut novel is ‘The Day My School Fell Down’. The book is about a decrepit, disastrous school in England that is full of hopeless teachers, and even worse children.
I’m not sure what inspired the novel specifically, I have so many ideas and I think you can make comedy out of any situation. My main ambition was to create an entirely new world from my imagination, but a world that people can relate to – and ideally laugh at!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t drink coffee and I never stay up late to write. This is unusual because I think many people believe that writers are twitching, bleary-eyed Dracula lookalikes, staring into the abyss of their computer screen and throwing cigarette butts out the window at 2am. I am a stereotypical writer in other ways though, I sometimes go for a jog and am on the run from the bank manager. I was last seen in Timbuktu.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
None. When asked this question I often pretend I am influenced by Dickens. Although he’s one of my favourite writers, I’m not actually influenced by him. I very rarely read other writers’ books because I’m constantly writing myself. I try to create my own, original voice. That doesn’t mean I don’t greatly admire other writers though, because I do.
What are you working on now?
I’m writing a sequel to ‘The Day My School Fell Down’ and also a lot of very silly poetry that I’ll publish in some form. I very much hope new readers, and current ones, will enjoy it all!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
All the websites I’ve used so far for book promotion have been fantastic! The worst website has been my own, as my choice of coloured fonts has been spontaneous and ill-judged. I give my own website nil points.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stay true to yourself and don’t listen to unprofessional critics with bushy eyebrows!
Unless the majority of the population truly despise your writing, chances are you are on the right track by getting published. Believe in your stupendous ideas, after all, you are the author. Be prepared for a few ‘oh, you should have written a book about fairies instead’ or ‘I didn’t understand your book what does it all mean’ types, as long as they are few, just politely listen, ignore, and cross them off your Christmas list. It’s a small, but very brilliant, revenge.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.
– G. K. Chesterton
What are you reading now?
My own writing, as I tend to go over every sentence at least a hundred times, and even then, often it isn’t good enough! Unfortunately, this magnificent process doesn’t leave much time to read other books. I do hope to re-read The Hobbit one day, as I first encountered it as a very young child, so it will bring back beautiful memories.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Lots of promotion, which may include standing in the street and waving my book around. I may also resort to skipping down pathways whilst reading character descriptions and as a last resort, put my book in the sea, and hope it washes up on an island where mysterious tribes read it, and it enhances their whole outlook on life. And all this has to be done by next week. I need to come up with some similarly brainy ideas for the week after…!
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?
The Oxford Dictionary, a notepad (to do my own writing), and a puzzle book. Never dismiss a good puzzle, particularly a word game! I’m getting excited just thinking about it – when am I going to be stranded? I can’t wait!
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