Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born 14 August 1951 in Tottenham, London, England. Happily married to my best friend and soul mate but it took both of us to reach our 40s before we found each other and we have been together ever since and I am still in love with my wife. We have two daughters and four grandchildren all now teenagers.
I spent most of my formative life in and around Tottenham and London. I love football and always wanted to be a professional footballer (soccer) but was not good enough. I have always loved cats and presently my wife and I have two cats that we rescued from some terrible storms two years ago. We help out with the local CNR group to capture street cats and get them neutered then return them to the wild.
I have now written three books my first was supposed to be my one and only book released in 2011 called A Turnkey or Not? its based on my 25 year career as a Prison Officers in Her Majesty’s Prison Service in the UK.
My second book El Dorado? No! Heathrow Airport is all about my second career as a security officer at Heathrow Airport, and my latest book a prequal is The Road to “L” all about when I was a driving instructor in Central London back in the early 1980’s.
All my books are about people and my personal quest to find my own piece of El Dorado.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Road to ‘L’ Do you remember your driving instructor? Well, they sure remember you.
My latest book is another biography but is a prequal to my other two books and my continued searched to find my own piece of El Dorado.
It is a humorous memoir. Set in Central London during the period 1981 to 1983 when I was a driving instructor in London working for The British School of Motoring. Pitched somewhere between the old English classic carry-on films and a series of sexy films called Confessions of… It is a humorous memoir of my time as a driving instructor; I reveal the stories of what can happen on a driving lesson, the offers of sexual favours and the actual driving routes I used all around the famous and historic landmarks of London. My books are all humorous memoirs hopefully in the style of Terry Pratchett They should appeal to anybody who likes anecdotal tales, I have tried to write in the style that would make you believe you are in a restaurant and I am with you just recounted episodes of my life or in a pub having a drink with friends, and I’m relating anecdotal stories about my life to you. The Road to ‘L’ is an eye-opening poignant and often hilarious romp through my years as a professional driving instructor in Central London back in the early 1980s.
I’ll tell you about people’s behaviour, conversations and downright dangerous things that happened to me during their lessons and their time learning to drive in my tuition car.
Read about the amazing things that really happened to me which could have come straight out of a Bond movie, the inappropriate offers of sex I received, and you will meet the amazing sister Mary Clara and her meeting with one of the famous Beatles back in the day.
Travel throughout London and all the amazing sites this city offers and all on a driving lesson, or be part of being bombed twice in one day on two separate lessons, by the IRA.
Learn about the Falkland Islands war, from the perspective of both sides.
My book is a journey through the eyes of a professional driving instructor that will amaze you and also amuse you. It gives you a chronological history of the world events that affected London during this period, and of course about learning to drive a car and what can happen on a driving lesson.
But in reality, the book is about people and how they can reveal so much about themselves whilst in the company of their driving instructor. With some amazing stories, and some scary situations, but above all humour.
This book is a prequel to my first two books and a further look into the story of my life and my search for my own piece of El Dorado.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Hmm not sure about unusual writing habits but my way of writing as its memoirs is based on thinking of incidents and then a chapter title and from there developing the chapter, once writing I then put the chapters in a chronological order so the book has a natural flow to how it reads
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite author is Sir Winston Churchill and his amazing book ‘The History of the English speaking people’. An incredible look at the English and England from the perspective of one of the 20th centuries great political leaders.
I love fiction too and read each Lee Childs books with relish whenever he releases a new Jack Reacher Story oh if only I could write fiction?
John Le Carre and his spy series are amongst my favourites along with Leon Uris, Len Deighton.
I am also fascinated with anything to do with the Battle of Britain and the stories of the fighter pilots of that period, the famous few. But any historical books on our world history is a particular interest for me.
I don’t have a favourite genre but like memoirs and humorous anecdotal books hence the way I try and write my books. Non-fiction spy stories and thrillers but am not really into horror
What are you working on now?
I am attempting my first fiction book based on the real story of four kittens that turned up on our doorstep two years ago after some terrible storms, and they adopted us. I am trying to write this as a children’s book but as I say this is my first attempt at a fictitious story about the kittens.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not sure of any best method or website for promoting my books and am still researching the best way to promote my books but it is obvious that its the American market that you have to break into for any sort of big recognition
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do it! Just do it. Its like starting a fitness regime you buy all the best kit etc but unless you open your front door and actually go out and exercise it never happens, The same with writing if you never start that first few words you will never do it even if you have the best facilities to write with..
If I can write one book anybody can
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Ignore rejections JK Rowling was the first ever writer to earn over 1 million in sales of her books yet was rejected by 12 publishers before she found the one who was interested in publishing her books.
I wonder how those other publisher’s feel now?
What are you reading now?
To be honest I am not actually reading any books at present as am concentrating on writing my next book
What’s next for you as a writer?
Haha million dollar question! I really don’t know, if I get an inspiration I will write but at this moment in time the only book I have is the book about the kittens although I still have an idea about writing what it is like to live on an ex pat community in Spain although I might have to move for my own safety before this book can be published.
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?
Winston Churchills History of the English Speaking Peoples
The Bible – although I’m not religious its a must have to read on a desert island.
Leon Uris Exodus
History of the World part 1 for humour
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