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Frequently Asked Questions

What made you want to be a writer?

 

I started writing to stay out of trouble and stop myself from being bored! Then I carried on because I enjoyed it so much - it gave me the chance to visit all kinds of times and people and places. Now I write because it`s a way of explaining myself to the world, and the world to me. I don`t write for the money - I do it to make a life, not a living.

 

Why do you like to write Horror and Science Fiction?

 

Lots of reasons. I like to be safely scared and I like to be overwhelmed by a sense of wonder. Writing in these genres does that for me. I also think that well written SF, Horror and Fantasy does the same job that the old fairy tales used to do (before they were cleaned up and censored): they teach you, remind, warn, alert and protect you. And they`re great fun.

 

What sort of fiction do you prefer to write?

 

I write SF, Fantasy and Horror; poetry and prose for children and adults. I enjoy writing it all. But what I write depends sometimes on the mood I`m in, and sometimes what publishers ask me to do. If an editor invites me to write, say, an SF story, that puts me in the mood!

 

Why do you like writing for children?

 

Because I used to be one and I enjoy going back to visit. I started writing at age thirteen, and I`ve never really lost touch with who I used to be. I have clear memories of much of my childhood, and I also love the energy and imagination I meet in many kids today. I think a tragedy of today`s society is that it shortens childhoods. There`s so much testing and competition and `ground to cover`, so little time to be carefree and play. Kids are being urged or made to grow up so quickly. I like to think my stories help to redress the balance.

 

You visit schools a lot. Why is that important to you?

 

Look again at my previous answer. I taught in schools because I think education is important. I left teaching because I think education is important. I go back into schools to tell stories and show kids how to play games that will help them to become more creative, independent and powerful in their thinking. That`s what education is all about.

 

What has been your most successful book?

 

In terms of copies printed and sold, Dreamcastle (from The Web series). It`s been a hardback and paperback (reprinted), and the series has sold to France, Italy, Portugal and other countries. And all the stories have been made into an omnibus - The Web 2027. It`s a virtual winner!

 

What are you working on currently?

 

Several things. Most of my writing over the past few years has been for teachers - books about what goes on in your head when you want to have ideas and think more clearly. I've also written a collection of short stories all set on Halloween Eve. The book is called Halloween Pie and I've published it myself because it's very difficult (unless you are a famous author) to sell a collection of short stories to a publisher.

 

I've had lots of ideas in recent months for other short stories and novels, which I intend to work on as soon as I can. I have a few books coming out over the next year, but again these are educational books to do with thinking, creativity and writing. I sometimes wish there were two of me so that I could get all this stuff written!

 

If you hadn`t been a writer, what would you have become?

 

Dissatisfied I think. My careers teacher at school said to me once 'Find something you love to do and get people to pay you to do it.' So, with that in mind, I'd love to have been an astronaut (but not fit enough) or a dinosaur hunter (but not clever enough) or an Egyptologist (but my Mummy wouldn't let me. As It was, before I was a full time writer I was an English teacher and that was good fun because I love words, books and working with kids. So I can't complain.

 

You are also a Hypnotherapist. What led you into that?

 

Like most people I was fascinated by hypnosis but suspicious of it. At that time I was very frustrated and angry in my day job, and I needed some way of dealing with it. As a writer I knew that the subconscious mind is a very powerful part of us; it`s where ideas for stories come from for a start! After going along on some taster days, I decided to train as a Hypnotherapist. This training allowed me to be hypnotised and deal with my anger problem. When I qualified, I started treating people for a whole range of problems - and I`m still doing it.

 

What`s it like to be hypnotised?

 

If you`ve ever daydreamed, and if you`ve ever been entranced by a great movie or story or piece of music, you`ll know.

 

What authors have influenced you as a writer?

 

Too many to list! One of my favourite books to this day is David Whitaker`s Dr Who & The Daleks. That got me interested in reading as a young boy. I have also been highly influenced by Arthur C. Clarke and the wonderful stories of Ray Bradbury. Clive Barker`s short stories are among the best Horror I`ve read. I could go on and on.

What ambitions do you have as a writer?

 

Mainly, to go on writing. One of my heroes is H. G. Wells, who had a publishing career of fifty years. He lived to be eighty, and was writing on the last day of his life. I`d also like to write a TV series or movie treatment, and I`d like to try my hand at thriller / detective fiction.

 

So would you like to be rich and famous?

 

Of course, but that`s not why I write. I write to make a life, not a living. But if a book really does take off in a big way, that would be great.

 

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

 

Do it because you love it. Practise, practise, practise.

 

(Steve was interviewed by Mr Ben Leech).

And in case Steve's answers interested you at all, here are some more Q/A's from Nikki Gamble's Write Away website - www.writeaway.org.uk

WRITERS’ SECRETS

Nikki Gamble

Do you have a special place where you prefer to write? – I have ideas any time, any place and write them immediately into my notebook. I once wrote a load of notes at a rock concert (though I finished my drum solo first). I actually compose my books in a room at the back of our house, where it’s lovely and quiet.

Is there a special place that has inspired your writing? – The Rhondda Valleys in South Wales where I grew up. Back then there was lots of open space for us kids to play and for our imaginations to grow.

Have you ever been prompted to write a story by something that has appeared in the news? – Not specifically, though following the news can spark off trains of thought that might lead to stories and poems.

How do you approach planning? – Reluctantly. I love daydreaming about my books and sometimes I treat myself to the experience of just writing-without-planning just to see what happens. Most often I feel I need to have a fairly detailed plan, which I find more difficult to write than the first draft.

Can you tell us the name of one of your characters and the story of how you found their name? – I like characters with ‘punny’ names. Sometimes I feature a minor character called Ian Stanner. He’s always a paperboy (Have you ever listened to a newspaper vendor shout of ‘Evening Standard’?). I also have a villain in my Double Dare Gang stories called Stonehead Henderson. He is a real person with a skull like concrete and he loves to head butt people. Nasty piece of work.

Is there 1 item that you have to have close to hand when you write? – Apart from a pen and notepad, I carry a little ‘worry chain’ which I play with when I’m trying to decide which words to use.

Do you prefer writing in the first or third person? Why? – I pick the viewpoint that suits the story best, though I do prefer first person as it allows me to get right insight the head of that character and I find the language sounds more natural. Colloquial and ‘flowy’.

Do you ever experience writer’s block? How do you overcome it? – Rarely. If I think of it as a ‘block’ it will be just that. I prefer to think of it as a writer’s opportunity, to rethink and / or work on a different story until I find my way forward.

What is the best piece of advice about writing that you have been given? Who gave you the advice?- The best single word of advice I was given was ‘diversify’, in other words to try lots of different things. My ex-agent said that. We fell out afterwards!

Who did you most enjoy reading when you were younger? Do you write the sort of stories you enjoyed reading? – I read lots of comics and watched loads of movies when I was a kid (Who said TV was a bad influence?). I loved Dr Who, Star Trek, Jason and the Argonauts and many of the schlocky American SF B Movies. I love to write SF, Fantasy and Horror now for all kinds of worthwhile reasons.

Does music help you write? What are you listening to at the moment? – I never have music on when I write. For relaxation I like to listen to rock and heavy metal. It’s an emotional release you know.

Do you keep a notebook or journal? What sorts of things are recorded in it? – Apart from my ideas notebooks I keep a ‘feelings diary’ where I write about how I feel more than what’s going on in the outside world. I also muse on the meaning of life, the universe and everything and I’m beginning to think the answer may not be 42.

Which comes first for you, plot or characters…. or something else?- It varies. Often I have an ‘overview’ idea where I see the whole sweep of the story. There aren’t many details, but a know generally how the book will work. That fills me with excitement, which gives me the motivation to put in the hard slog of working it all out.

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