What led you into writing?

I had been wanting to write a book for nearly forty years, but kept putting it off because I thought I wasn’t good enough. Then just before I turned 50 I something happened to me that made me realise that now was a good time to start writing that book I had been putting off for so long. So after a bit of research I sat down and began laying the ground work to my book.

How does a typical day look?

Mornings between 8.30 and 12.30 I try and devote that time to writing. After breaking for lunch, I devote the rest of the afternoon to doing marketing/promotional work, answering emails and catching up on reading.

In what ways do your characters test your abilities?

Trying to make my characters more rounded is a challenge. Creating a story that helps develop my characters so that they are not one dimensional, that they are evolving through the experiences being thrown at them.

What’s your setup?

My writing set is a space I have created that I use as my writing space. It has desk and white board which I use to place on sticky notes with plot ideas and other notes to myself.

What lasting effects have your favourite authors had on your writing and style?

I have developed a habit of letting my characters take over the story from me, something that can get a bit out of hand if I am not too careful. If I am not careful I find they have guided me in a direction I did not intend, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Those pesky characters….

What do you do for inspiration?

Sometimes inspiration will come to me when I least expect it. If I am watching a TV show that has an interesting scene, it will give the idea of adding it into my story. Other times I inspiration will come to me from experiences or books that i have read in the past.

You might also be interested in

Finding a lump

by Michael S. Jackson on mjackson.co.uk  

I found a lump in a delicate place and it led me through a series of awkward events. I’m here to talk about them in the hope that if you, dear reader, ever find anything suspect anywhere on your body that you get it checked out, regardless of how awkward you expect it to be.

What repeating themes do you find yourself pulling into your stories?

Placing my characters into perilous situations. I also like to add a bit of humour into my work, to help lighten the dark moments.

How do you wind down?

I read, watch a film or go for a walk with my wife.

What sort of challenges do you regularly overcome while designing your world/setting?

Trying to broaden my vocabulary so that I don’t use the descriptive terms over and over again.

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m reading Kane & Abel by Jeffrey Archer.

What’s the most useful advice you could give to an aspiring author?

Never give up on your dreams, no matter what people tell you. Be proud at what you are doing and always believe in yourself. Don’t worry if there are days when you find you can only mange to write a short sentence – whether it is 200 words or 2000 words, always remember at least you have managed to write something down,.

Tell us about the book you’re promoting.

Double Jeopardy is the first book in my mirror wars series. The story follows Detective Inspector Dave Barnes who, while carrying out a murder investigation, uncovers a global conspiracy emanating from a parallel earth. During his investigations he discovers people are being by doppelgangers, bringing him into conflict with his own doppelganger – the devious Colonel David Barnes. However, it then becomes apparent that both men must set their differences aside when they learn of a danger that threatens both of their worlds.

You might also like

The Man on the Street by Trevor Wood

“Getting constructive feedback – and the constructive bit is vital - on your work is absolutely essential to growing as a writer.”

The Picture on the Fridge by Ian W. Sainsbury

“Empathising with people who don’t think like I do is one of the hardest—and most rewarding—parts of writing fiction.”