Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written four books and many novellas and short stories. I’ve three more books close to release sometime in the next six months. And a fourth book – a paranormal London mystery – is almost done.
I believe in having many fingers in many pies. It suits how I like to write.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book – out November 2017 (ish) – is book two of my space noir action mystery series: Vatic.
Part one was inspired by… who knows?
I had this idea about a guy waking up from hyposleep with no idea who he was or what was happening.
It was supposed to be a short but was soon a full novel. A thrill ride.
I love it when that happens.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a pantster, which means I start off not knowing where I’m going or whom I’m going to meet – writing by the seat of my pants!
A real journey of discovery.
This means that I regularly hit brick walls. But I just I move on to something else for a while, until my subconscious can come up with a solution – which it usually does.
However, it can freak me out a bit when I get really stuck. But I’ve learned to trust that other part of my brain working in the background.
I’d be lost without it!
I can work anywhere. I’m not bothered by noise – unless it’s high-pitched. I have ASD which means certain sounds drive me crazy – anything that beeps for instance. But I can sit in a loud pub and tap away lost in my own little world without any problems.
I regularly change where I write, as I get easily bored. So sometimes I pop out with my trusty laptop, find a new cafe, order a large mug of tea, power up – and its ‘tapping the plastic’ time.
I also listen to music – drum and bass does it for me. Gets me fired up and increases my words per minute.
As for inspiration? I design all my book covers, and sometimes I design the cover first. I know, its a bit arse over tit. But it somehow works. Other times I just have a single idea and start – finding out where I go.
It can take me a while to find characters. They emerge from the mist as I write them – although I feel that they are there all the time, just waiting for me to come get them. They slowly become very much alive in my mind and I can hear them speaking to me.
Once created, they are as real to me as actual friends. And I think of them like that. Even when I have to kill them…
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nearly every book I’ve read has influenced me. It’s the story that matters. I find there’s nothing very interesting about authors. I couldn’t care less why they wrote their story or who they were/are.
A good story can transcend human life. It can take us out of ourselves and transport us away to fantastical lands. Finding out about the author only serves to bring us back to real life with an uncomfortable bump.
Like the ‘behind the scenes special’ of Star Wars from years ago. I remember quickly switching it off because watching it was ruining the experience.
I find it hard enough to get lost in a movie or book as it is, without all those extra thoughts of ‘why and how’.
Who cares?
If it was up to me, I’d ban all ‘behind the scenes’ shows. Why are they needed? And why do people watch them?
Same with author interviews. And yes, I’m aware of the irony.
I suppose, I’m an escapist at heart. That’s also what writing gives me. A way to escape the mundane day to day.
What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished a story for an upcoming sci-fi anthology in the ‘Gravity City’ world created by Artie Carbrera. Written on the beach in Spain, no less.
I’ve a book of short stories coming out whenever its finished.
Vatic Book 2: Ariadne is nearly a few chapters away from completion – coming out November 2017.
I’m also working on the much-anticipated follow up to ‘Blue Into The Rip’ – out march 2018 – called ‘Blue Into The Moon’. It’s gonna be a cracker!
And I’m also formulating a more mainstream crime series :-0
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have over 140,000 Twitter followers – so I use that extensively. As well as Facebook and fans and reviewers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write 1000 words a day every day. Read every day. Finish what you start. Get it edited professionally. And buy my book:
‘The Complete INDIE Editor – 55 Essential Copy-edits for the Professional Independent Author’.
Available worldwide: http://smarturl.it/IndieEd
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m not a great fan of advice. I’m a bit bull-headed and resistant. Always have been.
If someone tells me this is the way to do something, I’ll probably do the opposite. I much prefer to make my own mistakes – it’s just a better way of learning for me.
If pushed, I’d say, learn to accept criticism. Or, more precisely, critiques. Getting feedback is gold dust. Use it.
What are you reading now?
I tend to read two or three things at once depending on my mood.
I’m presently reading a never-ending collection of Stephen King horror shorts (which is fascinating) ‘Perfect Remains’ by Helen Fields (a cleverly-plotted detective mystery, probably a tad over-plotted, but it’s a great read) and ‘The Dispatcher’ by John Scalzi (a neat idea).
That’s this week’s reading. The search for stuff to read is never-ending…
What’s next for you as a writer?
I may go mainstream! We’ll see. And I need to start investing in some audiobooks.
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 hate questions like this. I’d take my trusty Kindle – it’s got thousands of books on it.
Job done.
Author Websites and Profiles
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