Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the north of England with my family and I am lucky to live in an area that is outstandingly beautiful. This is my second book, which I decided to write after seeing my first one sell pretty well. That was 54 Degrees North, which was a humerous account of my walk across the country in a straight line at that latitude with two friends, just to see what we encountered along the way. Every day was mystery, but everywhere we went, we found a wealth of interesting people, beautiful landscapes, and amazing histories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Rambling On is a comic account of me and my mate Rob walking the Cleveland Way, a national trail that follows the top end of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. I knew that this area was incredibly beautiful and I also knew that there was a wealth of history to be encountered along the way, so I wanted to tie the two together in a book. The result is light hearted romp around the countryside where we also find out all the history of the places that we passed through and the people that used to live there.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to actually do the travelling first, making notes along the way as I go, and then I lock myself into the man cave at the bottom of the garden to put the whole thing together. I say lock myself away, because since the era of lockdowns began, my house is often full of my family who are either working from home of schooling from home, which makes working in there very distracting. This is not necessarily unusual, but just a habit. I do, however, tend to take my cat with me wherever I end up writing, just for a bit of company and as a reminder not to spend too long at it. When the cat wants to leave, I tend to leave.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
A tough one. When I was younger, I read a lot of Daniel Defoe, then I matured into reading George Orwell. Defoe influence me more than I knew. When I found out that Robinson Crusoe sailed from my home town of Kingston-upon-Hull, it made me re-evaluate my own city. In my writings now, I always look for links that take me back to Hull, of which I find many.
What are you working on now?
I’m already onto book number three. I walked the Coast to Coast walk a while back, as made famous by Alfred Wainwright, and I am aware that this is one of the most popular walks in the world. There was quite a big group of us doing the walk together and it will go down as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Having this walk more or less on my doorstep makes me realize how lucky I am to live where I do, and I am hoping that I might be able to sell a copy or two.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I found that facebook is ineffective and that you really do need to not be afraid and reach out to others. For the kind of books I write, local and regional newspapers tend to take an interest, and this can help spread the word.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. I spent far too long wanting to write a book but never dared to for fear of failure. It is best just to write something, even if you are not entirely sure about it, because it is so easy nowadays to go back and change and edit whatever doesn’t work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never, ever, ever, give in. Sometimes you may not feel that those around you believe in you or what you are doing, but don’t let this stop you. You will meet resistance from others at some point, and things will not always go your way, but once you start something, hold onto it for all its worth, and see it through to the end. You might just be pleasantly surprised.
What are you reading now?
I’m still reading The Body, by Bill Bryson. I am reading this book so incredibly slowly, it is ridiculous. It was a christmas present, and look, it’s going to be christmas again soon. I am really enjoying it, but I just don’t have time to read at the moment.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After my next travel diary, I am moving on to a novel that I have been thinking about for some time now. It is going to be sort of sci-fi, sort of thriller, with a mighty twist at the end.
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?
Well, The Body by Bill Bryson, just so I could finally finish it. I think I would also take 12 Rules for life, by Jordan Peterson. In an age where mental-illness is finally being recognized for the pandemic that it is, there is a lot in there that could help us all, and which could also help us to help others. Lastly, The Gulag Archipelago for two reasons. One, I have never read it, and two, it is a really long book and I would imagine if I were to be stranded on a desert island, it would be for a long time.
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