S D Price

Many of the male members of my family worked in the steel and coal industries of Port Talbot and Pontypool, it takes a certain type of person to work in those environments, there was a toughness to those people, which I admired but struggled to emulate, but it did instil a sense of resilience and grit in me. Though I was also impressed by the women who supported those men, by creating and maintaining the home life and family bonds to be able them to focus on their work. this aspect of life was often taken for granted and not valued as it should have been. In addition, these environments shaped my storytelling by emphasizing the struggles of individuals on a personal level as well as against larger societal forces, which is reflected in my characters who often face daunting challenges.

Living in the Southwest, in the counties of Devon and Cornwall, exposed me to a rich tapestry of landscapes and folklore. These elements have influenced my writing style, encouraging vivid descriptions and a deep appreciation for nature, which often serves as a backdrop for my themes of adventure, spiritualisation and exploration and how these are reflected in nature and the land itself.

My first exposure to Japan was as a very young age in the early 1960’s. At that time comic books and movies regularly depicted scenes from the second world war and the battles with the Japanese. These epic events had a great effect on me as a child, that fascination with Japan and its people growing stronger as I discovered more about these amazing people and their rich cultural heritage.

This fascination has stayed strongly with me and manifests in my stories through the incorporation of Japanese folklore, character dynamics, and themes of honour and loyalty, all of which are integral to my narratives.

The accident and its accompanying head injury was a brutal but effective catalyst for a profound shift in my perspective on creativity. It ignited a desire to express myself through storytelling that I really did not have before then. The change that took place allowing me to channel my experiences and emotions into my writing, transforming my vivid imagination into purposeful writing.

My writing process tends to be very focussed once I commit to a project, often involving long sessions of writing. Once I have got something down and out of my system doing something totally different such as outdoor activities like mountaineering and skiing, I find helps me to refresh my mind and sometimes provide inspiration, allowing me to return to my writing with renewed energy and perspective.

I don’t feel that I do use my personal interests to create my characters. Many of the characters I create are very different to the world I life in, other than my general intrest in the subject matter through research and study. Many of my characters are so far-removed in ethnicity, culture, gender, morality etc that drawing on my life experience would fall short of what I can form from my imagination.

I have been very fortunate to overcome two life changing events, one was a sudden, violent and unexpected motorcycle accident at age 19 the other was overcoming a chronic genetic anomaly, an illness that was cured by major surgical intervention at age 40.

My desire to write stems from a need to create fictional narratives and see them through to explore complex themes and human emotions. Life-altering experiences have taught me that storytelling is a powerful way to connect with others, and I find inspiration in the resilience of individuals facing adversity.

I strive to integrate my interest in Japan and Eastern culture by focusing on authentic representations and deep character development. By researching and understanding the cultural nuances, I avoid stereotypes and create multidimensional characters that reflect the richness of their backgrounds, particularly with their interactions with one another.

My outdoor pursuits inform themes of resilience, exploration, and the relationship between humanity and nature. These experiences often find their way into my writing, where characters must confront the elements and their limitations, mirroring the lessons learned in the great outdoors.

In regards to the ‘The Tides of March,’ I am particularly focused to explore further themes of legacy with connection to other historical, events using the characters developed in the origin story in next novel. I want to continue to delve deeper into how historical events shape individual identities and societal dynamics.

I have always read quite broadly and not just in the fictional world, biographies and historical books as well as number of technical works are equally as important to read as fictional ones.

I don’t have a real favourite author, but read across a spectrum of authors, conn iggulden, Steven King, Steven Pressfield, Lee Childs, Richard Flanagan, Hilary Mantel, an endless list really. Reading writers who can intertwine complex themes with compelling narratives has greatly influenced my writing style.

I view feedback as a vital part of the writing process. Feedback is a gift, but always keep the receipt… Constructive criticism helps me grow as a writer, allowing me to refine my work and explore new perspectives that enhance my storytelling. That said both good and challenging feedback should be viewed clinically at the end of the day.

I’m afraid I have not really had an opportunity to engage with many other writers thus far, but I am looking forward to finding some opportunity do so in the future.

Looking back, I’ve realized that my injury transformed my relationship with creativity. It also instilled a since of resilience and a perspective on life that I often fall back on when things get a little hectic. I have also learned the importance of vulnerability in storytelling and how it can lead to authentic connections with readers.

I first joined AllAuthor as a pro-member, drawn by its resources and community support. The platform has been a valuable tool for connecting with readers and other writers, enhancing my visibility and engagement in the literary world.