What is your writing process like?
'Pantser' - ie non plotter. I pick up the pen, figuratively, and start writing. And when the mood is right, the words just flow. I need background noise, even the TV and a steady supply of coffee.
How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?
I close my eyes and allow my mind to wander. It's not infallible but once the inspiration has hit home it's difficult to stop it. Sometime my 'pen' cannot keep up. At other times, I take a break and play my Hammond organ for as long as my finger tips allow or I my pick up a new plate and paint a fantasy scene, you know, fairies and gnomes and elves and things. Painting needs a longer break and my take a few days dpeneding on how many time it needs to be fired in the kiln.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
Time for a break to enjoy one of several pastimes until the veil lifts.
How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
Fortunately, I have never had an outright destructive review. Positive criticism I can take and use. And of one or two negative reviews I just think the reviewer has right to different view point. We don't all think the same way.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
Revision, self review, revision - and then promotion!
How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
My very first story was written as class project somewhere between seven and eight, for whiach I recieved severe retribution for 'outright lying.' We were supposed to write about our holidays but I hadn't been anywhere so made up a story about travelling to Australia. End of story telling for me, until my own children came along and I had to entertain them and their new friends during a shower, in a crowded beach tent on Great Yarmouth sands. That is where my series of Jimmy Crikey Adventures began. Jimmy's fifth adventure was published on Amazon in 2023.
What advice would you give writers working on their first book?
Write it. And review it and rewrite as many time as you think it needs and then get a professional editor. Should that one not hit the mark - start another and keep writing. Even if you don't get published immediately (a rare occurence) your writing will improve.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
I don't know! It just seems to happen.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
Ten written, nine self published.
With great difficulty I would choose the first in series The Amazing Adventures of Jimmy Crikey.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
Physical description of the characters.
What inspired the idea for your book?
the first book was inspired by observing children at play on the beach with my son. One the boys was smaller than the rest and had a bright red mop of ginger hair. He was being picked on as their 'gofor' boy. He was being bullied even though he enjoyed being with the bigger boys. He became the orphaned boy I would make into my hero who overcame every obstacle placed in his path.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
In a later adventure Jimmy explores the beginnings of a romance with a mermaid and asks his Aunt to explain why he feels so strange.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
Nothing in particular, except character notes and names and inter-relationships. Sometimes a map if the location/'world' is extensive.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
How can I choose between such disparate chracters as Wilbur Smith, Enid Blyton or J K Rowling ot JR Tolkein?
When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?
At least a year or so ago to ensure my WEB site was being pick!ed up - it was