Sleeping with the Blackbirds
What
inspired you to write your first book?
"I
wanted to write a story for my own kids to show them that not all children had
it as easy as they did. But I also wanted to show them that people behave in
certain ways for a reason, and that, as Anne Frank once said, ‘everyone is
essentially good at heart.’ This said, I also wanted to make the story amusing
and entertaining. I wanted to engage with the reader, and intrigue them enough
to keep them wanting to turn the page."
Do you have a specific writing style?
"I
deliberately set out to write the story in an old-fashioned, whimsical style,
even though it’s set in the modern world of high technology and the internet. I
suppose I just feel that there just isn’t enough colourful and engaging
language in most contemporary teen novels these days."
Is there a message in your novel that
you want readers to grasp?
"Life
is never as it may outwardly appear. And you can’t judge people from their
actions alone. We’re all complicated, have our own backstories, and can be
hugely influenced and moulded by our environments and personal circumstances.
It’s an important, fundamental life lesson we all have to learn.
How much of the book is realistic?
"Parts
of the story are believable, while other parts are larger than life. Added into
the mix is a hefty dose of magic realism in the form of anthropomorphic birds.
I believe that combining the real with the fantastical makes for a more
compelling narrative."
Who designed the book cover?
"The
cover was photographed by a good friend – the very talented advertising and
fashion photographer, John Mac. In fact, John also designed it and briefed the
typographer, Lyndon Povey to hand draw the typography. I think he did an
excellent job in capturing the spirit of the book."
Are experiences based on someone you
know, or events in your own life?
"There
are some elements in my story that are based on real people and events. For
example, the character based on the old gardener who inspires Roy our
protagonist to write his essay, is based on a real old gardener who used to
keep my parents garden in good shape. He too had physical difficulties and used
his bicycle and tools to lean on for support. And he too used to be an ARP man
during the war. And Roy’s account of getting locked into a record shop on
Christmas Eve is based on a real incident. Yes, you’ve guessed it – it happened
to me."
Which books have most influenced your
life?
"In
relation to this book, many other books have had an influence including Sue
Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, the books of Roald Dahl, Clive
King’s Stig of the Dump and Richmal Crompton’s Just William. The last four
being books that occupied an important place in my childhood. In terms of adult
books, I love the works of countless authors. Margaret Attwood, Ian McEwan,
John Irving, Sebastian Faulks, Marcus Zuzak, Marina Lewycka, Natasha Solomons and
Carlos Ruiz Zafon to name just a handful."
What books are you reading now?
"I
recently finished reading ‘The Taliban Cricket Club’ by Timeri N. Murari – a
love story set amid the brutal regime of the Taliban in war-torn Kabul, which I
enjoyed enormously. And previous to this I read ‘First Light’ by Geoffrey
Wellam – an extraordinary account of the writer’s experience in the RAF, flying
Spitfires during the Battle of Britain at the tender age of 18. Besides being
beautifully written and incredibly detailed, Wellum knows how to tell a
captivating yarn and hold his reader on the edge of his seat."
What are your current projects?
"I’ve
just had a short story (‘Scared to Death’) published by Mardibooks in an
anthology of short stories entitled ‘The Clock Struck War’ to mark the
centenary of World War I. You can read mine on my blog here:
http://rhubarbrabbit.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/scared-to-death-one-of-23-short-stories.html
My
next project is a story that will combine two genres: crime and the
supernatural. That’s the objective at any rate. It’s still in the early stages
of plotting. I can’t really tell you any more than that, as it may very well
change shape and evolve."
Do you have any advice for other writers
starting out?
"Don’t
stop writing. Don’t be put off by criticism and rejection. Take it on board and
consider it. But never let it get you down. We’ve all received countless
rejection letters from agents. Even J K Rowling has piles of them. At the end
of the day, writing is a subjective activity. Most important of all, enjoy your
writing. Because if you don’t, nobody else will."
