Can you share your journey from being a local journalist to a published author? - What inspired you to make that transition?
Becoming a journalist came late in my working career, even though it was something I wanted to be when I was at school. I left school at fifteen in 1972, so I obviously didn’t have the necessary qualifications. In the end, it was life experience that finally got me the job. I’ve always been grateful to news editor Rachel Saker for giving me the opportunity. The transition from journalist to published author happened naturally, despite the difference between the two disciplines.
What inspired the story and characters in, In the Shadow of Marc Bolan? Are there any personal experiences or observations that influenced the narrative?
Much of my writing comes from personal experiences and observations. Childhood, adolescence, relationships, marriage, travel, and bereavement for instance. Write what you know is always a good rule of thumb!
How has your background in journalism shaped your writing style and approach to storytelling?
Firstly, you become aware of the acute difference between fiction and non-fiction. Many authors use the springboard of fact to unleash their fiction writing. It’s no real surprise to me that readers are often confused. My protagonists, Jack Compton (Fly Back and Purify and An Invisible Nemesis) and Daniel Blue (The Story of Virna Babineaux) are both journalists. I quite often use my journalistic skills to add newspaper articles to my storylines.
You ‘dabble’ in poetry—how does poetry influence your prose, and do you incorporate any poetic elements into your narrative?
I’ve been writing poems and prose since I was fifteen and was fortunate enough to have quite a few pieces published soon after. Yes, there are poems in a couple of my novels. I have woven a few into the narrative of my latest book, In the Shadow of Marc Bolan, for instance.
How do you go about developing your characters? Are they based on real people, or do they emerge purely from your imagination?
The characters themselves are born out of my imagination. I then think of real people I may or may not know in an attempt to give them substance. For example, I often use two such people to create one character. Harry Horlock, a prominent character in my debut novel, The Asylum Soul, was created using two people I knew, Harry Sale and Des Horlock. Both individuals had very similar personalities. Sadly, both have since passed on.
What themes do you explore in ‘In the Shadow of Marc Bolan’, and what messages do you hope readers take away from the book?
The death of Marc Bolan is the nucleus of the novel. His premature death affected me immensely. It all came at a time when, as a young man growing up in the seventies, I couldn’t really show my true emotions. Others I know were in the same boat, and they had their own personal stories to tell. I hope readers will identify with the storyline as they compare it to their own experiences following Bolan’s death. Because the storyline has a strong background in mental health, I also hope those less familiar with Bolan and T. Rex will identify with the book.
Can you describe your writing process? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you stay focused and productive?
I like to write in the small hours when everything is quiet. An inner spirit seems to take over my body. I often sit back after each writing session and wonder how and why the f*ck did I write that! It’s quite a good feeling actually.
What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Researching and writing a book are easy parts of the process. Editing is less so, as it can be quite arduous. I have learned to use a good proofreader and a couple of independent readers before submitting my manuscripts for publication. The other massive challenge is book promotion. There are a lot of sharks out there, including fake agents, who only want your money for little or nothing in return. I spend a lot of time marketing and promoting my books myself.
How does the setting of Camberley and Woking influence your writing? Does the local culture and environment play a role in your stories?
Camberley, where I grew up, is a town close to my heart, even though since my childhood, its heart has been ripped out by developers. The town is hardly recognisable now from the one I grew up in. However, I love including the town in my books as much as possible. My fifth novel, Fluke’s Cradle is a perfect example of this. On the other hand, Woking is a drab town near the village of Knaphill, where I now live. That said, it’s handy as a hub for most of my stories.
How has the reception of In the Shadow of Marc Bolan? Have any particular reader responses stood out to you?
On the whole, the reception has been great. The book has been embraced by many Bolan fans, including the Official Marc Bolan Fan Club, The T.Rex Action Group and Danielz, the lead singer of the official tribute band, T.Rextasy. In the Shadow of Marc Bolan has also received some great reviews/ratings on Amazon and Goodreads, with even more on my social media and via email.
Are you currently working on any new projects or books? If so, can you share a bit about them?
I don’t consider myself as an author unless I’m currently writing. At present, I’m at a crossroads, although some possibilities are floating around in the grey matter. One such idea is that I may bring back D.I. Sue Grendel, a character in The Story of Virna Babineaux. She also appeared briefly in In the Shadow of Marc Bolan. Perhaps she could be the protagonist in a future title. Time will tell!
How do you balance your interests in both prose and poetry? Do you see yourself focusing more on one genre in the future?
I do. Although I’ve concentrated heavily on my novels over the last ten years, my interest in poetry/prose and even music lyrics has never gone away. I aim to write a lot more before I pop my clogs.
Who are some of your literary influences? Are there any authors or poets whose work has particularly inspired you?
One man stands out: the late, great Leonard Cohen. His novel The Favourite Game and, of course, his songs and poetry are all I needed to inspire me.
What has your AllAuthor experience been like so far? What are some highlights?
The ability to use the mocks ups for my book covers and make short book trailers has also been very useful. I thoroughly enjoy seeing what my fellow authors have been writing within their genres. Essentially, I find AllAuthor to be a fantastic support network for writers at all levels in their writing careers
