Born in Guyana, why did you immigrate to England in the early 60s? Share your favorite childhood memory.
The idea I’d shared with some of my friends, which was to study abroad or to seek a better life. I thought of going to a Caribbean island: Trinidad or Jamaica. But America appeared more attractive to me, its glamour and being “the land of hope and glory”. However, entering America wasn’t a straightforward matter — at least, for me. I had no one to sponsor me and no enthusiasm to study. So reluctantly I settled for England: it was easy for me to enter there, being a British citizen. But I had less than six months to “beat the ban” – a restriction preventing “British subjects” automatic entry to the UK. My half-brother was residing in Yorkshire, England.
What did you study in London? What inspired you to start writing?
I only did a course in Industrial Radiography. I wasn't on pursuing higher education. I chose to live a life of pleasure, partying and what not. In hindsight, it was the mind of an adolescent. Later, in Sweden, I took a bachelor's degree in English and Education, at Stockholm University. Years later, I studied Psychotherapy. I became politically-minded about social issues, particularly racial discrimination and racism. I remembered how idealistic I was about life and felt I wanted to be active in a positive way. The idea to become a writer became a reality. I also wanted to be a part of the “radical” wave of protests in ‘68 – the Vietnam War and political and social injustices and poverty in Africa and Latin America. I became a voracious reader of well-known American and British short stories and novels and began trying my hand at the craft of storytelling.
How was your experience of working in mental health occupation? Did you always plan to start writing after your retirement?
Entering the mental-health occupation was very inspiring. It provided me with an insight into mental illnesses and clinical treatments. I’ve always been interested in the way people on the whole function in life. Before that, I mostly read sociology and psychology. Psychiatry and psychotherapy provided me with new perspectives: theories and clinical experiences.
What is the unfinished biographical novel about? What did spending two years nurturing the ambition to become an author of some repute taught you?
The unfinished biographical novel was one that I’d started writing in the early 70s. Last year, the book was published as Making Sense of Past Time, but I had rewritten most of the story. The story was fictionalised and not an authentic autobiography - I only included some facts about my life and distorted others, for the sake of the story. I find it difficult to write about myself. It appears easier for me to write more than one version of my life. With regards to the two years I spent writing full-time, it taught me that the process of learning to write would take more years to master, if ever. At the time, I was in a hurry to get published, to enhance the belief of being a writer.
Why did you decide began writing short stories and novellas? How is writing a novel different from writing a novella?
I think it has to do with my disposition. I find it easier to focus on short stories or even a novella. I succeed in preparing an outline for my stories. However, during the process of writing the story, creativity imposes itself. So, in a way, the problem can be seen as a lack of discipline. Of course, the novel is an expansive project, which I find difficult to handle –– its complexity, style and tone; both must be consistent. I remembered the struggle I had trying to remain focus and for a seemingly never-ending period while writing the novel: Making Sense of Past Time. I was emotionally empty at the end of the story. The story had st times been painful to write, much work went into that book. One thing is sure: it will be my one and only novel.
Why did you choose to self publish your books? What difficulties did you face on the road of being a self published author?
During my two years of learning to write stories (on a full-time basis), I submitted a collection of stories as a debut book for publication. But the manuscript got rejections from established publishers in Sweden, which in time helped me to understand that I needed more time to develop the art of storytelling. The submitted manuscript was in English. In 2015, I decided to self-publish, and perhaps as a tribute to the hard work behind my writing. The difficulty my books have is reaching readers. Another is proofreading and editing. I’d made the mistake of self-editing and proof-reading my debut book. I subsequently sent the book to a professional proof-reader/editor. The second book I sent it off for editing/proof-reading, but I had mixed feelings about the results. Needless to mention, I cannot afford to send my manuscripts to top professionals.
Who was your favourite character to create while writing Strangers In Another Country? Was there a character or scene that was particularly hard to write?
It’s generally with beginnings and endings of stories that I find troublesome. Regarding my favourite characters, Binky is one of them, for I had similar attitudes at his age. Harry is another. Both might well be the same character though at different stages of life. Both shared perhaps a similar passion for knowledge, are highly opinionated, and emotional.
When are you most satisfied with a book or piece of writing? Do you often edit things OUT of your books?
No, editing out things isn’t a problem. I’m not easily satisfied with my writing, and there is, of course, always room for improvement. I can, however, be too particular at times over sentences, and in time compelling myself to let go. I remembered seeing a quote by the French poet Paul Valéry that “A poem is never finished, only abandoned”. I feel more or less that way about some of my writing – I often blame the perfectionist in me, a part of my personality. The American Author, Faulkner, regarded perfectionism, to be healthy thing for the writer, so long as he/she accepts that the pursuit of perfectionism is an impossible goal.
What were the key challenges you faced when writing the book, "Three Love Stories" that includes two short stories and a novelette?
With that collection, there wasn’t any difficulty, because two of the three stories are already published. Also, after finishing my latest story, The Ballad of Calle and Maja, the idea appeared to publish the three stories as paperback and ebook editions.
How much do you think you have grown as a writer from publishing a novella The Eternal Struggle in December 2016 to your latest book released in 2018?
I’m not sure. I like to think I have grown somewhat as a writer. I still consider writing a story difficult. The two books you referred to are different in style and mood. In Making Sense of Past Time, I made an effort to write concisely. It has become my ambition to attract young readers at a secondary level of education.
What was the inspiration for the "Tell Me Who My Enemy Is?" Why did you decide to set the story in early autumn in the 70s in Stockholm?
In 1972, there was an attempt to form a cultural centre in Stockholm for black folks. And the idea to write a play was suggested to me. But it was never performed because the cultural centre only survived a few months. I have rewritten the theatrical drama and referred to it as a closet drama (one to be read) since I have no experience with theatrical plays. The autumn setting carries no symbolism, at least not consciously, and moreover, I’m fond of the fall. The cover is from my photography.
A lot of people get fed up of their jobs after a while. Have there been moments where you momentarily get tired of writing? What do you do to get out of these stumps?
I retired from my mental health occupation in 2007 but continued with a private practice I had started in 2005. I closed the practice in 2016. I enjoy writing, though at times I fret whenever writing appears too frustrating.
How did you come up with the title of your book, "Two Girls in a Café?" Why did you choose a café in London as the setting of the story?
Two Girls in a Cafe was one of three stories in a self-published collection in 1977. It emerged from an idea I had for some time: our accurate or inaccurate perceptions of others. In revising the story, I woke up one morning with one of Shakespeare’s drama and decided to add a twist to the story.
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?
Not currently. After I published Making Sense of Past Time, I wanted something different to write about. But soon I rewrote an unpublished tale “An Amorous Encounter” which I renamed The Ballad of Calle and Maja — I extended the plot. With that short story, I was attempted to write a story where the main characters were Swedes. I would like to write stories about elderly folks like myself, but the obsession with writing about the 60s and 70s has become annoying to me. Schopenhauer remarked that “the first forty years of life give us the text; the next thirty supply the commentary on it.” I hope I can find a way to let go of the obsession.
What are some tools you use for book promotions? How did you come to know about AllAuthor and what are your thoughts on this website?
Since my debut book in 2016, Strangers in Another Country, I’d frequently promoted my books through various book promoters – but to no avail. I’m no longer a big believer in online promotions. I’ve spent much on book promotions. Reaching readers remains a tremendous challenge. Some of my readers aren’t on FB or Twitter. I’m not sure there’s a silver bullet by means of social media to reach readers – except for the bestsellers. One promoter had suggested that I should write novels with intriguing plots and all the rest. But I’m not that kind of writer. I can understand many a reader is drawn to plot-driven stories – page-turner books. In my recent short story, The Ballad of Calle and Maja, I made an effort to focus equally on the characters and plot. A decent number of book reviews appear to be a positive means of attracting readers to one’s books. The mail list approach seems to be popular among many writers. Despite my pessimism about online promotions, I hang my hopes, (and keeping my fingers crossed), on AllAuthor attractive and engaging approach to book promotion to make a difference.
