Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what inspired you to become a writer?
Many sources inspired my journey to become a writer; as a young boy, I was captivated by tales of grand adventures, whether it was the thrilling escapades of the famous Five or the clandestine missions of the Secret Seven. As I matured, the magical voyages through a world-renowned wardrobe held me spellbound.
Reading was always challenging for me; I often grappled with the words on the page, but the allure of the stories kept me going. A desire to pen a story, perhaps a novel, would persistently nag at me. It was only years later, when my daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia that a doctor suggested I might also have the same condition.
Despite the passage of many years and my wife now in a battle with cancer, she was the one who encouraged me to begin. Her belief in my abilities truly sparked my inspiration. To honour her, I chose the genre of Murder and Mystery, as she has a fondness for a good book on this subject and enjoys many TV shows and movies with this theme.
What inspired you to become an author, and how did you find your way into the world of writing?
As mentioned earlier, my wife has been my true inspiration, with a little push from my daughter, who is now an adult and writes herself.
I had tried many times to write but had given up due to life's more significant and pressing issues, such as raising a family, working, and running my own business. You know the struggles we all grapple with every day. When I became a full-time carer for my wife, I found peace and solitude in the early mornings and late at night when I couldn't sleep. These times were when writing became a whole new world for me. The characters in my head became real people with emotions and lives. They, too, grappled with the pressures of life, yet Tom, our detective in the series, still had to find a way through to achieve his goal.
Given your appreciation for a good pint of Guinness, do you have a favourite writing or reading spot that enhances your enjoyment of the experience?
A good pint of Guinness and a conversation with friends is my reward.
I don't have a special place to write; save my favourite spot on the sofa with my laptop resting on my arm. However, many words and pages have been written in front of a log fire tucked away in a friend's cottage in Roscommon, Ireland. Or Back home in my garden room with a cup of tea.
How do you handle writer's block or moments when the creative process feels challenging?
Writer's block is an issue I don't often struggle with. When I decide to sit and write, I can write two or three thousand words in one hit and forget about the time or disconnect with the world around me. I live, eat, and breathe each character and imagine what they may think or feel in each scene. I only write when I feel in the mood too or have the time and mental health to do so, as I suffer from depression.
Your series, "For the Love of Murder," has gained widespread acclaim. Can you share the journey of creating this gripping series and the inspiration behind it?
I wanted to highlight the moral issue of right and wrong for the first book in the series. We may all intrinsically know what that is. However, the lines can be blurred when emotion is involved.
"A Miscarriage of Justice" (The first book) highlights that sometimes we can be so sure of something and make what we believe to be the correct decision. Yet, there is the unmistakable element we may have gotten wrong: a miscalculation. Some decisions we make in life will only affect us, whilst others may actually cost people so much more; even life itself can be at risk.
The book also highlights that despite misconception and mistrust, in the end, we do have to make decisions and trust we have made them well, not only for ourselves but for all those affected.
Beyond writing, you have a love for the outdoors, including long walks and fishing. How do these activities influence your creative process or inspire elements in your writing?
Walking allows me to think about the characters I create and their journey through my stories. It gives me time to consider, absorb my surroundings, and remember that whatever is happening in life, the difficulties I or anyone else may suffer, there is beauty to be seen and appreciated. The health benefits have also been excellent, reducing cholesterol being just one.
Fishing is a whole different world. It allows me to realise and cope with the idea that sometimes, no matter how hard I try to achieve a goal, it may not happen at that time. Fishing is the same; some days you catch, and others don't. Sometimes, I may have to adjust my goals, change my bait or lure to coin a phrase. Yet, on other days, the catch may be abundant and glorious. Yet, there is something to be gained or learned in each circumstance.
Living in Ireland for a couple of years must have been a unique experience. How did the Irish culture and lifestyle impact you, and did it play a role in shaping any of your literary works?
My family and I lived in Ireland for approximately three years. My biggest lesson in life is that it isn't where you live. It's the friends you have around you that make the most significant difference. People in Ireland are friendly and very enquiring people with a love of life and people.
They love to hear great stories and tell them. Their sense of community is profound and honest. It's this honesty I want to instil in the way I write. Roscommon, where we lived, is a rural farming community not afraid of hard work both secularly and with looking after each other. COVID-19 highlighted this profoundly to me. Their sense of duty, doing the right thing, and looking after each other will always stay with me.
Can you describe your typical writing routine? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the writing zone?
I'm not one for rituals or writing habits. A few people recently described me as having a level of ADHD. Whether or not that is the case, I only write when the mood takes me to do so, and when I do write, I hate to be disturbed. However, having said all that, I can be distracted easily by social media, music and TV. On many occasions, you can find me sitting on the sofa with the telly on whilst I write and post things on social media simultaneously.
As a self-proclaimed lover of the written word, are there any specific authors or literary works that have had a significant impact on your writing style or storytelling approach?
I love a great story, whether verbalised or read. I am one of those people for whom funny things happen around me or, more often and not involve me. Regarding books that have had the most significant impact, it would have to be a collection of books, 66 in total. Most people, if asked, would probably say they have never read this collection, yet it is the most widely distributed book in the world, the Bible.
Contained within the pages and books of the Bible are many stories about people and lives, the actions taken, hearts broken and won, and battles lost and gained. Both good and evil, kings and queens feature heavily within its tombs, as well as far and short journeys to lands of ancient culture and wealth and yet with all this, love songs and poems to caress your heart and mind reach out along with wise and often forgotten proverbs that can help us today.
How do you balance the darker themes in your books with the appreciation for the beauty and joy in everyday life?
In the journey of my existence, I've faced myriad challenges and ordeals. From the harrowing experience of being struck by a car at the tender age of fourteen, hurtling towards me at an alarming 60 miles per hour, to the poignant moments spent by my mother's side as she valiantly battled and ultimately succumbed to cancer, life has presented me with its formidable trials.
Presently, my role has shifted to that of a steadfast supporter, standing by my wife's side as she confronts the relentless grip of life-limiting cancer. This marks almost three decades of companionship, a testament to the strength of our bond.
Amidst these trials and my health struggles, I find solace in the unwavering belief that no matter the hardships faced today, the sun will rise again tomorrow. It symbolises a new opportunity, a chance to defy the circumstances that seek to define me. Moreover, I choose to focus on the positive aspects of life, cherishing moments such as the joyous birth of my daughter and the enduring love of my devoted wife.
When delving into the darker facets of life in my writing, I prefer to concentrate on the intricacies of the case, the weight of the evidence, and the resilience of the people involved rather than relying on gratuitous depictions of blood and shocking scenes. My literary work strives to encapsulate an element of light, emphasising that amidst life's challenges, laughter and genuine moments of joy are equally significant. My aim is not merely to evoke tears but to bring forth genuine emotions, mirroring the complexities of real-life experiences.
In the journey of my existence, I've faced myriad challenges and ordeals. From the harrowing experience of being struck by a car at the tender age of fourteen, hurtling towards me at an alarming 60 miles per hour, to the poignant moments spent by my mother's side as she valiantly battled and ultimately succumbed to cancer, life has presented me with its formidable trials.
Presently, my role has shifted to that of a steadfast supporter, standing by my wife's side as she confronts the relentless grip of life-limiting cancer. This marks almost three decades of companionship, a testament to the strength of our bond.
Amidst these trials and my health struggles, I find solace in the unwavering belief that no matter the hardships faced today, the sun will rise again tomorrow. It symbolises a new opportunity, a chance to defy the circumstances that seek to define me. Moreover, I choose to focus on the positive aspects of life, cherishing moments such as the joyous birth of my daughter and the enduring love of my devoted wife.
When delving into the darker facets of life in my writing, I prefer to concentrate on the intricacies of the case, the weight of the evidence, and the resilience of the people involved rather than relying on gratuitous depictions of blood and shocking scenes. My literary work strives to encapsulate an element of light, emphasising that amidst life's challenges, laughter and genuine moments of joy are equally significant. My aim is not merely to evoke tears but to bring forth genuine emotions, mirroring the complexities of real-life experiences.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors who are just starting their writing journey?
The shameless self-promoter in me would say, purchase my book "From Blank Page to No. 1 Best seller." Available on Amazon. Which highlights all the things I have learned and continually try to apply.
If I were not being so forward, I would say writers write. Therefore, put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard; if you prefer speech to text, then do that. The most important thing is to do it; do it now. You will never regret doing it, but you will always regret not. It doesn't matter if you have written complete garbage; that's what editing is for as long as you write from your heart and soul. That is what is essential. As you grow and develop, you will see areas that need to change, and you will make those changes glady. Remember, not everyone will like your work, and that's OK; they shouldn't. Every story may have been written, but never from your heart and mind and certainly never from your words.
In addition to being an author, you're also an avid angler. How does the tranquillity of fishing contribute to your overall well-being and creative energy?
It isn't for everyone. However, it gives me peace of mind and a chance to learn more about myself and the environment around me.
In Ireland, fishing has a tranquillity that can't be experienced anywhere else, with fewer rules on where you can fish. PJ, a great friend and brilliant trophy-winning angler, once gave me great advice. "Always keep a rod and spinners in your car." He is right; if you go out and see a great lake (Loch) or a fantastic river, you can always fish. For me, it is a metaphor for life. If we are prepared for something good to happen, we can take advantage when life hands us little gifts. Of course, the opposite is true if we are not. Fishing gives me time to stop. It is time to reset my brain and my emotions and remember what is important to me. I am a social angler, so any opportunity to fish with PJ and learn from him, plus a pint of Guinness afterwards at the nearest pub, is time for me to press the reset button on life.
Returning to your home in Essex after living in Ireland, do you find that your surroundings influence the tone or setting of your writing?
The answer has to be yes. In many ways, returning to Essex and the UK from Ireland has influenced the tone and setting of my writing. It is a fact that we are all shaped by our environment and impacted by what we see, hear, and experience. Ireland represented a new start, freedom, and a chance to see beyond my horizon and experience another land and culture. The gift is to notice that just because I have been brought up thinking and believing one thing doesn't mean to say everything I feel and believe is correct. We can all be taught by others, regardless of race, background, gender or socioeconomic situation. We need to learn and be willing to accept that we are all residents of this earth, one people deserving of love, understanding, and freedom to choose.
Your series is known for its gripping narrative. How do you approach the challenge of keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each instalment?
This question is the hardest for any author. I like to listen to the feedback from others. I also listen to interviews with other authors, such as Anthony Horowitz. Their advice from him was to start with the murder and work backwards, add twists and turns, lead the reader down a path, and then pull the rug out from under them all the time, ensuring the clues were there to follow to the correct conclusion.
Remember, if people give feedback no matter how difficult to hear, it means they care enough to give it. They have honoured you by reading your work and giving you feedback so you can grow and give them another chance to enjoy your work again. Honour them back by listening, understanding their intentions and growing. Yes, there will always be trolls who hurt with words because they are horrible people. Our job as writers is to see past those people, deliver what others want to read and challenge them and their thoughts.
How did you first learn about AllAuthor? In what ways has this website helped you as a writer? Is there anything you're not a big fan of?
As an author, I am constantly looking for ways to have my work noticed and read. The all-author website came through on a Google search for platforms to enable me to showcase my work.
This website has enabled me to consistently promote my work on X (formally Twitter). My audience is growing due to this consistency, which is always a positive.
I would like to see some sales come through the All Author website. However, time may be the issue at this stage.
The book cover competitions are fun. However, I would like minor changes, such as only allowing people to vote once. (Not a major issue.)
Also, it would be nice to send a newsletter to those who follow you on the site or send them information about our covers being in the competitions.
