Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a semi-retired scientist, originally a chemist but I have branched out. I left my government salaried job to start my own research company to support a joint venture to make a precursor to polyimide plastics. In my private business, I have had far more than my fair share of bad luck relating to finance, but with persistence, I am reasonably comfortable in my retirement and have taken up writing and self-publishing. I have written five scientific ebooks (of only specialist interest) and thirteen novels, which range from thrillers with a technical edge through to hard science fiction. In the plots, I try to primarily entertain and offer surprises, while keeping the action moving (I have noticed my writing tends to have a higher fraction of verbs than many) but in the background I try to illustrate some aspect of how science works, and illustrate some of the economic principles I have had to pick up through my life.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is “The Manganese Dilemma”. This is intended as a thriller with an ending that most won’t guess before they get to it. The inspiration was from current affairs: “the dastardly Russians did it.” Part of the plot revolves around trying to find out exactly what they did.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know, but I don’t think so. There are so many writers out there with different approaches I think it would be hard to be really unusual. My basic approach is to plot first, but like in a battle plan, the first version is very heavily modified by the time I get to the end. One approach that might be different from most is that when I start I try to visualise a small number of scenes that will take place, and then work out how to join them.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Again, hard to know how much influence they had. When younger, I was keen on writers like Tolstoy, and Tolkein. From the science fiction point of view, K S Robinson and Michael Crichton have been popular with me, but I think in terms of influence, Fred Hoyle has had as much as anyone.
What are you working on now?
I have one further work in progress, which currently has a provisional name, “The Board”. I shall probably modify that because it is hardly inspiring. The inspiration for this is the current claims for the huge fortunes to be made from asteroid mining. Most people don’t realise that these claims for the metal content of asteroids come from techniques that measure the frequency of the element, but not what form it is in. Thus I saw one claim for 20% iron. That actually suggests a low iron content basalt. You try making your fortune from getting metals out of the average basalt.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is a question I need to be answered by someone else because my efforts so far more fold into the “be persistent” category than I have found a magic bullet. Unfortunately, the technothriller or hard science fiction tends to be more a niche market, and it is not easy to locate a place that suitable readers frequent.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be persistent and don’t expect miracles. Just do your best and persist.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Same as above.
What are you reading now?
“Rocket Men”. Non-fiction, but the story of those who were on Apollo 8. With a bit of luck, I can add authenticity to my current work.
What’s next for you as a writer?
At my age, I don’t make long-term plans. I shall continue doing what I am doing.
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?
Probably survival guides, but I assume that isn’t what you mean. I am not a great one for re-reading books, so I would have to think about this.
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