Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born in England, but moved to New Zealand 10 years ago. I live with my partner Jason, and my cat Sacha in the Hutt Valley in Wellington. When I’m not writing I do lots of reading, gardening, shopping and yoga, and occasionally short film making. And I work as a nurse in disease control in Public Health.
I have written one book, ‘Tom’s Inheritance’, and I have just finished writing the second book, ‘Twice Born’ which should be published early 2017. Work on book 3 is about to begin!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Tom’s Inheritance’ grew out of a short story. I challenged myself to write a sort of fairy story beginning with ‘Once upon a time’. From that story I explored what happened to Tom, and the book grew from there. I also enjoy the King Arthur tales, and love the way they have a strong magical/fairy tale element. I decided I wanted to explore the magical side of those tales, where Arthur wakes in Avalon but stays in the Other.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I prefer to write in solitude and quiet, if possible. I don’t like music on, it’s too distracting. However I write in my lunch hour, on planes, and sometimes in front of the the TV.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There’s lots of children’s books that I enjoyed and which have stuck with me over the years – the Narnia books, Peter Pan, the Wombles, the Famous Five, and lots more. They are books with strong characters and lots of adventures.
As an adult my greatest influence is Lawrence Durrell. I read the Avignon Quintet when I was 18 and it stunned me with its inventiveness and brilliance. I then read the Alexandria Quartet, and thought that was even better. Since then I’ve read all of his books, biographies and some critical works. One day I will write my own travelogue of Lawrence Durrell. I’d love to travel to all of the places he’s lived.
I also think Salman Rushdie is fantastically inventive, and Umberto Eco’s ‘Foucault’s Pendulum’ is excellent. I love the esoteric.
What are you working on now?
Twice Born, the follow up to Tom’s Inheritance. The story’s complete, it just needs fine tuning. It continues to explore the new world Tom and Arthur find themselves in, ably assisted of course by their new friends and Tom’s cousin. And it introduces new characters, some of them from Arthur’s past.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still exploring my options there! There are so many choices, and so much advice it’s difficult to know where to start. Facebook and Twitter are must haves, and my website should be ready soon.
Otherwise sites like Awesome Gang seem pretty good!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Keep promoting, join groups, get to know other authors- they are a source of a great help and advice – and don’t expect miracles.
And if you can afford it, use a professional editor and cover designer. Mine have been fantastic.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t procrastinate, sit down and write. And revise, revise, revise!
What are you reading now?
The Hanging Cage (The Northminster Mysteries book 4). It’s a detective book set in the Victorian age. I’m really enjoying it. I haven’t read the others in the series, but I probably will after finishing this one.
I love detective stories and thrillers, as well as contemporary fiction, magical realism, and non-fiction. My tastes are quite eclectic.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have some ideas for other books with new characters, but for now it’s continuing the Tom series.
Once my website is complete I’ll try to get into regular blogging and book reviews!
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 Alexandria Quarter by Lawrence Durrell, The Jungle Book and Kim by Rudyard Kipling, and I’m not sure what else. Maybe The Thousand Nights and One Night, the Arabian Fairy tales.
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