I began writing many years ago and I started with poetry, don't ask me why, it just seemed to be appropriate at the time. However, I have always wanted to write a book and actually started in with planning fifteen years ago. It didn't go anywhere and I think that was because I'd been influenced by reading something about needing to plan thoroughly! It's not me. I gave up on that book, time passed and the urge was still with me so four years ago I began. It's rather like eating the elephant, one mouthful at a time!

My most recent publication, Cessation, is a departure from the genre I have been writing within up to now. It comes under the heading of SF/dystopian style although I find 'dystopian' to be a rather depressing categorisation. It is also a response to my own political persuasion which I must hasten to add cannot be described as conservative or socialist, not capitalist or communist, more Christian humanist. I find abhorrent the greed that runs all of the countries of the world and Cessation is a possible outcome of that selfish greed. Having said that it was also my aim to delve deeper into human interactions and this I believe has been achieved.

Like many 'wannabees' I bought a copy of 'The Writer's Handbook' as soon as I'd finished my first novel, 'I Have To Get It Right', and as suggested sent a synopsis, the first three chapters and a personal bio to a succession of agents. After around half a dozen rejections, I'm not renowned for my patience, I read an article in Publisher's Weekly extoling the virtues of an online publishing house in London called CompletelyNovel.com and decided to give them a try. They've been great supports and quite efficient in getting my books out so six novels later I'm still with them. I have read blogs since by other indie authors and love the interaction and fellowship so have never tried the traditional option since my first attempts.

In answer to the question about greatest joy, I must refer to something that some writers, and most non-writers, may not fully understand. I know I had never considered it as an aspect of writing. I have always known about the need for strong well formed characters, but what wasn't aware of the fact that they can be come so well embedded they actually take over the story. Their personality and abilities drive the story where they want it to go. Stemming from that is the minor character you introduce to serve a purpose with the intention of not using them again and they refuse to leave! Believe me it is a great feeling when that happens.

The fans are really precious. I respect their opinions and their dedication and often wonder why they are interested in my work. Choosing to read a book can have so many triggers, I recently saw an interview on TV by a writer called Ben Aaronovitch and was so interested by his past experiences in writing I decided to try the first of his Peter Grant stories and have read two more since. If someone buys into what I'm offering I am truly grateful but at the same time writing is me and so if no one bought my books it would be a small disappointment but I would still write. People are immensely kind and supportive and I feel the love when they buy my books. Thank you.

The first five books I wrote were based on a character called Patrick A Steele who has a strong sense of injustice and does everything he can to correct situations that harm the ordinary people in the world. He is not as pure as the driven snow and so is on the edge of the law, sometimes stepping over that edge. I got the urge to write Cessation but I have returned to Steele for the next project and at the time of writing this have completed the first chapter.

My taste in authors, in fact in all of the arts, seems to be rather eclectic. I have read classics and love Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' and two or three of his books but wouldn't say that I like everything he has written. In my formative years I read a lot of Alistair MacLean and also have enjoyed, Dick Francis, Patricia Cornwell, Bernard Cornwell, Colin Dexter, Ian Rankin and many more. There is an unrealistic expectation that great authors will always write great books which, when you consider that it is an art form at which you become more skilful the more you work, is almost impossible.

When I'm not writing I am involved in church and have quite a busy time singing for two different choirs. The big choir that I sing with is the Huddersfield Choral Society (have a look at their website) and that has given me the opportunity to sing in countries from Japan, eastern Europe and France as well as all over the UK including the Royal Albert Hall. I used to sing with two or three amateur societies when I was younger and have taken solo roles such as Herod, in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat; Ali Hakim in Oklahoma; and, Guiseppe in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers. Being involved in music is very time consuming as is writing but I will be sad if I have to give up singing.

My writing process is intensely personal and is similar to Ian Rankin's, he is the guy who writes the Rebus novels about a Scottish police detective operating in and around Edinburgh. He writes from scratch, just sits down and does it. I'm not that good I usually get an idea, and it can come from anywhere, rough out the first five chapters, no more than a couple of sentences per chapter, list my characters, location and skills or equipment then I start. Quite often where I'm going is decided by the characters and their personalities. I think that is why I've not suffered the dreaded writer's block. No matter where you are in your writing if things seem to be slowing or taking a different direction don't be afraid to deviate from your plan. Sticking slavishly to a plan is where blocks can be generated if the plan has weaknesses!

The first story I had read to me was 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' by Lewis Carroll and I didn't like it at all. I have no idea why perhaps the fact that it was being read by the head teacher at my infant school and we were severely constrained. Having said that it probably encouraged me to look for stories to read for myself so in a negative way it had a positive effect. A story that I'd chosen for myself was Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book and this was before the film came out, but I loved that book.