Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written 5 books (excluding all my plays and poetry), two are stand alone and one is recently published. The other three are a fantasy trilogy that I am in the process of releasing. I did a lot in my Creative Writing degree and the students I teach help to inspire me a lot.
I spend a lot of time running and working on my teaching practise, but I enjoy writing as a way of unwinding.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I have just released book 1 of me ‘Disciples of Sorcery’ trilogy – it’s called ‘The Tempter of Razin’. My friends in Uni and I enjoyed collaborative projects and we thought that something with a lot of characters and plot events would be easiest for us to all get our say. Then, we finished Uni and the project was abandoned. But I had fallen in love with the genre so decided to start my own poject. 5 years later, all 3 books complete.
I take a lot from my friends, their tattoos, their personalities – even in one case their pregnancy!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to have my hair up in a certain style and sit on my bed in the same place. I find it really difficult to write without creative noise; so most of my work was written with a movie on in the background. I also like having grapes and a soda; something I can pick at.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Eddings is a definite influence on my work. I love his series The Belgariad and the Mallorean, they were my teenage reads. I also love Karen Miller and George R.R. Martin
What are you working on now?
I’m just finishing tidying up and editing book 3, then I’m considering a prequel to explain why some of my characters act the way they do; why my main character gets punched so much etc.
After that, who knows what will strike? Though I have had many student requests to include them.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still incredibly new to this, so I’m still gathering myself together on that front.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you’re finding it hard to write, take a break. It’s better to wait for inspiration then force something out – you’ll never be happy with it then.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In order to write the genre, you need to read the genre.
What are you reading now?
Multiple things. I’m re-reading the Belgariad; some Oxford short stories and a book called Station 11.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully getting some sales and publicity. More than anything it’s about helping to inspire my students and keeping my own mind sharp to keep on loving what I do.
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’d probably take Stephen King’s IT because it’s enormous! It’d keep me going for a while. Pride & Prejudice is one of my all time favourites, so that’d have to come along. Then my bible.