As it's Christmas I thought it would be fun to answer my own interview questions to let you all know a little about me.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
Well, I was born and raised in London, and still live there. Hope to leave soon though, as it really isn't good for my health. I've loved reading all my life, and have always been passionate about music from an early age. I write novels, scripts, lyrics, soon to start a cat memoir, and I sing and write songs.
What is your book about?
FROZEN IN TIME is the story of an Ancient Greek vampire. It's set in the 4th century BC. Before he becomes a vampire, a man called Philip rescues the love of his life Amaranthea from her controlling father and marries her. But things don't turn out like he expected. After he loses her in childbirth he joins Alexander the Great's army (in my story, Alexander is Philip's half-brother). On the night before the battle of Issus. a heartbroken Philip meets a vampire in the guise of his dead wife. She tricks him into becoming a vampire, and he now finds himself trapped on the vampire's Island. He now must find a way to escape, and with the help of an immortal sorceress he must find the link to another world, a parallel world, a kind of faery realm which contains a secret ingredient which will help in destroying the most powerful vampire of all, his maker. Philip also begins searching for his wife.... reborn, but this doesn't turn out like he expected either. The novel is not simply about vampires though as it deals with deeper stuff like love and explores humanity, the afterlife, immortality and reincarnation.
How long did it take you to write?
About two years.
What inspired you to write this novel?
It's an idea I had many years ago, after being inspired by watching Interview With The Vampire. Also, I've always been interested in Ancient Greece and thought how great it would be to invent an ancient Greek vampire.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
When I was young I used to write my own magazines and little books. However, I was always interested in singing so pursued that for a while. But it was always in the back in my mind that I wanted to write novels one day.
What part of writing do you struggle with? Character, plot, description or dialogue?
Description. I never know how much to put in. Personally, for me, when I'm reading a novel (mainly because I don't have the time to read as much as I'd like) I tend to skip long descriptive passages, so I can't help but believe that less is more.
What made you decide on self-publishing?
I'd had enough of rejections with my previous 2 novels so I thought I'd try it differently with this one. Also heard inspiring success stories from other indie authors, and yes, mainly reading about Amanda Hocking's success helped me decide that it was the right way to go at this moment in time. I just thought, why not? There is nothing wrong with self-publishing. Even great poets and writers like Percy Bysshe Shelley and many others are known to have self-published.
Did you have a professional editor?
I did have the first draft of Frozen looked at by a literary consultancy, but I did the final edits myself.
Do you edit as you write or wait until your book is finished?
Sometimes I do both. It depends really.
Are you currently working on any projects?
The sequel to Frozen, a screenplay and a cat memoir.
Any advice for new authors?
Write what you want to read and what you are passionate about.
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what type of music?
Music is my passion and I can't exist without it. When writing I listen to movie soundtracks mostly, like the work of Hans Zimmer. Then there's my favourite band Nightwish, whose music is also inspired by movie soundtracks. Sometimes words distract me though, so I tend to listen to the instrumental versions of their albums. Their latest Imaginaerum is bound to inspire me with the writing of Book 2.
Best time of day to write?
Early morning and late afternoon.
Top 3 authors?
Anne Rice, Emily Bronte, Mary Shelley
Top 3 novels of all time?
Wuthering Heights, Dracula, Frankenstein
Top 3 movies of all time?
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Interview With The Vampire
The Omen (1976)
What do you read the most? Fiction or non-fiction?
I enjoy both, but I tend to read more non-fiction these days. Mainly as research for my novels, but I also have a very inquisitive mind and love learning new things. I go through phases too, and right now I am obsessed with books about animal communication, and of course animal memoirs, mostly cat ones.
Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
Both.
Where can your readers contact you?
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