How many copies of Let's Kill Love have you sold?
All that matters to me is that YOU read it (and hopefully enjoy it).
How many copies of Numbskulls have you sold?
See previous answer.
I expected you to be a science-fiction writer, but I've been reading your book and there ain't much in the way of alien monsters or space battles or stuff like that in it.
That's a common misconception people have about me. Another one being that I don't like Christmas. (For the record: I LOVE Christmas. Two weeks to myself without distractions; what's not to like?) But getting back to the original point, and without wishing to denigrate an entire genre, aren't there already enough books out there featuring alien monsters and/or space battles?
I expected you to be a science-fiction writer, but I've been reading your book and there ain't much in the way of alien monsters or space battles or stuff like that in it.
That's a common misconception people have about me. Another one being that I don't like Christmas. (For the record: I LOVE Christmas. Two weeks to myself without distractions; what's not to like?) But getting back to the original point, and without wishing to denigrate an entire genre, aren't there already enough books out there featuring alien monsters and/or space battles?
What makes you think I have a choice?
Into the night.
Silence or music?
Silence. I INSIST on it.
How do you go about writing a book?
One word at a time.
Anywhere but the beginning.
And finish?
When there are no more gaps left.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
Observing, noting, and then a spell of daydreaming in which I throw different ideas together to see what happens. Most of the time they shatter on impact (or fall back to earth with a deadening thud), but very occasionally they coalesce to form something new and exciting and worthy of the rigorous work required to turn it into a readable story. I'm sorry if that all sounds a bit vague and wishy-washy, but there really is no magic formula behind the creative process. And if you don't believe me, read this rather wonderful essay by Neil Gaiman (who knows a thing or two about storytelling).
Do you have any writing rituals or superstitions?
None, apart from a nagging sense that the best ideas I've had were the ones I forgot before I could write them down.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Well, if you insist on music, I suppose it would have to be Sleep Walk by Santo & Johnny.
Because that's what everyone else does.
I'm a writer too; will you read my book/story/screenplay if I read yours?
I already have a stack of things to read, as well as a stack of things to write, so sadly, no.
I've got this great idea for a story and I was wondering if you'd be interested in -
Again, no.
I'm about to start writing my first book; do you have any advice?
Write as if it's your last.
I've just finished writing my first book; what should I do next?
Bin it and write a better one.
I've just finished writing my first book; what should I do next?
Bin it and write a better one.
Okay, so I've binned the first book and written a better one; now what?
Bin that too and start over.
Any other advice?
Ideas can strike at any time, so never leave home without a notebook and a pen (and a good book to read, of course).
Any other advice?
Ideas can strike at any time, so never leave home without a notebook and a pen (and a good book to read, of course).
