Could you offer us some insight into your early life?
I was born in an English northern town called Worksop where I spent all of my childhood frequently holidaying at the East Coast’s Skegness, a two hour drive way. Crashing in our comfy caravan permanently sited on one of the many green grassy fields across this bustling seaside town. Fish and chips, lazing on the beach, swimming in the sea and visiting the many amusement arcades were always on the cards no matter what the weather.
At school I always adored writing, not to say I was top of the class and I hated school with a passion, but I suppose this set the foundations. On leaving school work, life and numerous other inconveniences caused me to change paths until I left home eventually ending up in a tower block flat in Manchester where I started working on my first manuscript, which has since been lost inside a broken computer and thrown into a landfill somewhere, there was no recycling in those days. I didn’t last long in Manchester and headed to the big capital city, London where I have remained ever since.
As far as work goes, I’ve done pretty much everything on the way; factory work, office work, film and television, entertainment, pubs, bars, shops, marketing and the list goes on.
What were some of your aims and goals as a child? Have you achieved any or all of them?
I would never have imagined as a child that I would be residing in London undertaking the jobs I have. Things are different in your early life and many of your aims and goals are quashed as you mature into the fierce competitive grown up world. Truth is I remember little about my aims and goals from way back, I did, however, want to purchase a house with a swimming pool; it never happen and I swim in the gyms pool instead, it’s more sociable. At school we had a visit from Gwen Grant, an established and popular children’s author, to our school. She gave me inspiration to write and I already loved the craft so I carried it through so I suppose that’s one aim in life I’m achieving.
What was the first book you ever published? What year was this?
Brock Steele Sphere is the first book; published in 2021 and still currently in print.
What was your major in college? How do you think it has contributed to your career as a writer?
Over the years I’ve been to various colleges studying different subjects including marketing, painting and decorating, computers and writing. Variety is the spice of life and I recommend it. A diverse education allowed me to undertake different jobs and these great experiences broadened my scope of escapades to write about.
What was your main source of inspiration for your debut novel, Brock Steele Sphere?
Truth is the idea for the book Brock Steele Sphere came out of nowhere, sure I’m an avid reader of spy books, watched spy movies and read about true life spies but the idea seemingly popped out of the air.
Normally, how long does the research process for a book take?
The whole book Brock Steele Sphere has taken me over five years to write and in that time I continually researched both online and offline. It’s an ongoing process so I would say the whole five years.
What kind of research did you have to do for your debut novel?
Reading, reading, reading; it’s important. Trawling through the internet, speaking to as many people who are willing to have a chat for their experiences and knowledge and contacting relevant organisations for factual information.
When do you have the most fun writing? When does it feel the most draining?
My biggest buzz of writing is when idea’s seemingly pop into my head out of nowhere and usually in the most inconvenient of places. I’ll be doggy paddling along in the pool, scrunched up on a tightly crowded bus or tangled up on the gym floor and boom a plot I’ve been struggling with for weeks suddenly unravels before my eyes followed by a great rush of Endorphin pumping around my brain. Why does this happen? In convenient places I usually pop these ideas into my phone straight away ready to type up later, although I have been known to run out of the pool and grab my phone because if I don’t log the idea there and then I’ll likely forget it forever.
I’m most drained when the mind goes blank. I come home from work, eat and sit at the computer and nothing; it’s a real demotivator too.
If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life, which movie would you choose and why?
This has to be my favourite film of all time, The Bourne Identity. Robert Ludlum, the great author, wrote a phenomenal book and this was turned into an extraordinary top film. I’ve watched them all and think they’re all brilliant.
Writing and finishing a book can take an immense amount of discipline. How do you keep yourself motivated and keep the dreaded writer's block from attacking?
It’s difficult writing a book, all authors know this. Motivation can prove difficult. The five minute rule is good, I recommend it. You have to write a minimum of five minutes a day regardless, it works for me and it trains your brain. Once your computer is open you never actually write for five minutes, more like hours but that rule gets the computer open and that’s the biggest battle.
I also think about the story continually, at work, doing the house chores, in the gym, and the whole thing stays fresh in my mind concentrating on the story so it’s never out of my head. But writers block does attack, frequently. Trying to stay motivated can prove difficult, there is no easy solution but sometimes I’ve been known to set targets; it doesn’t necessarily make for better writing but it gets me into the habit of writing every day and that’s a habit your need to get into in this business.
What do you love the most about exploring new places?
I’m a real explorer and adore visiting new places and do frequently. It’s interesting, sometimes breath taking and a fresh experience taking you out of everyday life. I’m an avid photographer and captivating the beauty of our countryside, iconic buildings and places of interest is invigorating.
Since how long have you been living in United Kingdom?
I was born in the United Kingdom and have lived here all my life – that’s now the big 50 years.
Looking back, do you have any regrets or do you wish there was anything you could've done differently?
I have little regrets about what I’ve done in life although I wish I’d followed my own heart more instead of being distracted by other people. Distractions are all too common, these days I tend to follow my own lead.
What are you currently working on?
I’m in the painstaking editing stages of a crime thriller, there’s still quite a long way to go but it’s taking shape. Next I’m planning to continue the series of Brock Steele and Brock Steele Two will be in the works.
When did you join AllAuthor? How has your experience been?
I came across All Author in June 2021. I vaguely remember an internet search threw All Author’s website up and it looked interesting, I immediately joined creating a profile, connected with like-minded authors, checked out some new novels and eventually listed my book after publication. My experience has been very good. I fully recommend All Author.
