Colin Guest Interview Published on: 22, Jun 2023
Where have you spent most of your childhood.
Plymouth Devon, England.
Were you an avid reader as a child? Do you still read books.I read books, but was not an avid reader. I now read books in between writing my own.
Do you remember the first book you ever wrote? Was it also the first book you got published? If not, why didn’t you publish it.My first book was Follow in the Tigerman’s Footsteps. It was a memoir based on 19 years of working in 14 countries spread throughout, The Middle East, Far East & North Africa. Not knowing better, I paid a publishing company a lot of money to have it published in hardback. Although it looked great, the publishing company did not do as they had told me, and were later black-listed.
How did immersing yourself in different cultures and environments influence your personal growth and perspective on the world.On the contracts I worked on, we usually worked long hours, 6 days a week. Therefore, apart from local workers, I had little contact with the people. I did however, learn to appreciate and understand the cultures from people in other countries than my own.
What inspired you to write a memoir about your experiences working in fourteen countries across Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.I did so to inform others that there is more to life than a boring 9-5 job.
Did you encounter any unexpected or life-changing moments during your time abroad that significantly shaped your worldview.Yes, I learned that the saying nothing is what it seems, is a fact. In Turkey, due to my trusting what I thought to be my best Turkish friend, I lost both my hard-earned money and my beautiful Chevy convertible.
In your memoir, An Expat’s Experiences of Living in Turkey, did you find it challenging to strike a balance between sharing personal anecdotes and highlighting the cultural and social dynamics of the country.No, as usual, I spoke the truth. However, in Turkey, it is best not to say things against the government. Especially if like me you are not a citizen .
What unique challenges do you face in writing across different genres, particularly romance and thrillers.None really. I use locations that I have visited, and research others that I mention in my books. I also try and combine romance with danger and death, as I think it makes them more interesting.
Can you share any insights into your creative process when crafting a romance novel.I just let my mind go loose and think of scenes I have read about in other author’s books. However, I never copy what I have read, and only use them to think of ways to alter and make the scene/action my own.
How do you handle the emotional depth and romantic aspects in your thriller novels.I have seen a lot of things in my 83 years, but I must admit I sometimes get emotional while writing my stories. But then, I would not be human if I did not.
How do you manage your writing time and keep a balance between your writing projects in different genres.Being retired, I have a lot of time on my hands, plus an understanding wife. I could be writing a thriller, then for a change switch to a romance story. Or one of the short film scripts that I also write.
What sparked your passion for wildlife and led you to pursue volunteer work at Animal Rescue/Rehabilitation centres.As a child, I enjoyed going to the zoo or a circus with my parents and seeing wild animals. While in Thailand in the 90s with some Thai work colleagues, I had my photo taken with a large python wrapped around me. Then the woman photographer asked if I would like one with a tiger. I had always loved tigers, so then stood next to a full-grown tiger while she took my photo. This was how I later came to use the name Tigerman on various of my social media accounts. Some of my books were published under the name Tigerman Press. For the past twelve years, I have adopted a tiger from a number of organisations. My working at wild animal sanctuaries, came about while on holiday with friends in South Africa in 2000. One said, “As you love wild animals, why don’t you volunteer at a wild animal rescue centre.” After checking out various one, at 60 years old I signed up for one month at Bambelala Rehabilitation centre in South Africa. I enjoyed the experience so much, I later worked at San Wild, another site in South Africa, then at the WFFT in Thailand, which proved to be my last one.
Were there any particular countries or experiences that left a profound impact on you.While working in Turkmenistan, I visited the zoo. The sight of a huge bear stood shaking its heads from side to side was something I will never forget. Wild animals belong in the wild, not behind bars. In Thailand, where I worked as a volunteer at the WFFT rescue centre,, many of the animals, including Tigers and elephants, live in huge enclosed areas, with pools to swim in. WFFT, is the largest wild animal rescue centre in Asia. It recently rescued over ten tigers and some other animals from Phuket Zoo, as they had no money to feed them.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book.I’ve completed another romantic novel entitled, It Happened in Barcelona, which I am waiting to be edited. At present, I am writing Accidental Death, a thriller. This, unlike in most thrillers, the various deaths are usually not due to shooting or stabbing.
How did you first learn about the AllAuthor website and how do you think it measures up to other sites that you’ve tried.I have used various paid promotion sites that I found online. However, I have found All Author an excellent site, with my well satisfied with their promotions of several of my books. These show various clips of the cover pages, along with a short sentence that I supply. With a six-month promotion for a one-time payment, without a doubt, All Author offers a great chance to get your books seen by many people.
