How many years during childhood did you spend in Kempston?
I lived in Kempston all my life, until I left home at twenty three, to get married
How passionate are you about writing?
I wouldn’t say I’m passionate about it but I very much enjoy being creative, and find it therapeutic.
Do you remember the first book you picked up to read? What was it about?
The first book I remember reading was Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graeme. I enjoyed what I still enjoy, and in fact, write about, which is the secret life of animals and their innate wisdom.
How did you get started with writing, what were your ambitions, and what troubles did you face?
I started writing as a hobby, to relax from the stresses and strains of running my engineering company. I had no particular ambitions with regard to writing. The obstacles I had to overcome stemmed from my undiagnosed dyslexia which meant I had to print everything in capital letters, which undoubtedly has always held me back academically. Thank goodness for computers and spellcheck!
What makes a good first line in writing fiction?
I always feel it’s important to set the time and place early in the piece, but with a hint of mystery.
How did you get your first invention patented and manufactured?
As part of my company’s development, I designed a unique nine-sided greenhouse which my company subsequently manufactured, exhibiting at the Chelsea Flower Show during the 1970's.
When writing a second draft, do you 'fix' the first document, or start a completely new one?
I never write a second, completely new draft, preferring to edit the first one. I find my first thoughts are usually the most creative, only needing to be ‘polished up’ subsequently.
What is going to be the next "big thing" in the next 5-10 years?
I know that humanity must come to terms with the fact that the human race is not indestructible, and we must find answers to climate change and the proliferation of nuclear weapons if we are to guarantee our place, not only on this planet, but in the entire universe. What exact form these answers will take, I cannot tell, and given my age, may never live to see!
What are today’s young entrepreneurs doing wrong?
Thinking solely about making money and less about the longer term consequences of their developments
What is a life hack that you think everybody should know?
By putting a pen to paper an author joins the company of writers, great and small, and their work is as good as anyone else’s, because their writing is unique and comes from inside their own head, no one else’s.
What's one thing the reader can take away from your book, Wisdom's End?
That people, children in particular will consider other perspectives, and realise that human beings do not have a monopoly on wisdom.
What is the best writing inspiration you have found?
Reading the works of good writers, modern and classic, such as John Clare and Betjeman and even the ageless stories of Charles Dickens
What is the key to your happiness?
Finding contentment with life, not aspiring to greatness or riches, but appreciating what I actually have in my life.
Are you currently working on anything?
I am now recording my book Snail Tales to produce an audiobook, which will give me the skills and ability to create other audiobooks.
How do you promote your work? How will AllAuthor help you in your book promotion and sales, would you like to refer this platform to your author friends?
AllAuthor helps me to spread the word about my work providing me with resources I can use to promote it on Social Media and also it enables me to link up with other authors. I would be happy to refer it to any aspiring self-publishing author.
