Could You Tell Us About Yourself? 

I am a published author of 10 traditionally published titles. I reside in Germany with my Dutch artist wife. I am now retired from work.

What made you write your book (s)?

The urge to write was always within me from an early age, poetry, short stories, satire, and books.

What is the first book you remember reading?

Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Fin

What’s your favourite book?

Sapiens

Who is your favourite author and why?

I have no particular favourite author

How many hours a day do you write?

On average 2-3 hours

What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?

Nothing, because I now have time.

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

I have no problems, it just flows. 

If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose and why?

Yuval Noah Harari because he wrote the most important book ever to be written in my honest opinion. More important than the Bible, Koran, or any other religious, political book that has led humankind down wrong historical paths.   

What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused? 

Freedom of thought and mind.

What’s your favourite writing snack or drink?

Nothing in particular

How do you celebrate when you finish your book?

I do not

Do you listen to music while you wrote your book (s) ?

Not particularly

Where do you get your idea (s) for your book (s)?

Every book has a different source, either my fantasy or creativity, or in commission.

What is / was your writing process like? 

Either based on free-flow or research.

Do you try more to be original or rather give readers what they want?

My books are never written to please readers, either they like them or dislike them.

How did publishing your (first) book?

My first book was published by an Australian publisher after pitching over the internet and finding someone. 

What kind of research do you do and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?

Depends on if the book is in commission or just my creativity. Research always runs parallel to the biography or story involved.

How do you develop your plot and characters?

There is no planning, they just are created as the novel goes along apart from when I write a biography.

What’s your favourite and least favourite part of publishing your book (s)?

Editing and reediting is a pain, attempting to achieve grammatical perfection. Publishers these days have editing departments, however, many are not so precise, and mistakes can appear even in bestsellers! It is quite an achievement getting a manuscript published these days, a million to one, but when it happens it is satisfying.

What part of the book was the most fun to write? 

All the way through

How did you come up with the title for your book (s)?

My creativity

Would you and your main character get along?

Depends on which book, but the main character in my trilogy, Erskine Quint, most certainly, and here is why

If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?

You are all brilliant!

Which of the characters in your book (s) do you relate to the most and why?

Again, depends on which books. But my Erskine Quint character I would love to be similar to.

What is a significant way your book has changed since the first draft?

Not a lot, although my ex-Texan publisher attempted to remove light erotica from the book, which I protested against

How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?

Again I have too many books published to pin-point a certain readership. However, the readers of Erskine Quint must have totally open-minds and a hellish sense of humor.

What did you edit out of your book (s)?

Nothing really

What was your hardest scene to write?

Again, no real scene, apart from a sadistic scenario in part 2 of my Erskine Quint trilogy, that was hard to write because it is very evil and I had to dig deep into my ‘dark-side’!

How long did it take for you to write a book?

On average one year 

What do you hope your readers take away from your book (s)?

Again, it depends on which book. My biographies hopefully will touch people’ s emotions because the subject matter is very emotional, positive, and negative. My trilogy, which is enormously funny and mad, and I hope readers enjoy the ‘insane rides’!  

What was the hardest part of writing your book (s)?

Research.

Did you get some negative feedback on your book ? And if so how do you deal with  that?

Never!

How did you feel when you first published your book (s) ? Scared ? Excited ? Nervous?

Most excited after getting my first publishing contract.

Where can people who are interested in your book, buy your book ?

All over the planet through the usual outlets; Amazon, Flipkart, Barnes & Noble, Apple, my present publisher; Pharos Book Publishers here

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?

Yes, I am writing my final manuscript, a parallel autobiography pertaining to my life and my 64-year-old-love affair of an English football club, Manchester United

After writing your book (s) what is your advice to people who want to become writers?

Always attempt to engage with an honest, creditable, literary agent if one wishes to get into the traditional publishing world, just like I did many years ago. 

What are common traps for aspiring writers and have you faced any of them?

Avoid at all costs ‘VANITY PUBLISHERS!’ They only want your money! And do not be fooled by authors who claim they are bestsellers, 95% are not!  

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Mostly yes, and I have not had any bad ones until now.

Is it something more you want to tell us which I forgot to ask about?

No, thanks for the possibility, it was my pleasure.

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