Interview with Tim Pearsall

Published 2015-12-28.
What is your writing process?
I think about how I want a scene to turn out, then sit down and type. Usually it evolves a little differently than I'd planned. If I'm stuck with a plot I go for a walk.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
No. But I remember reading Something Wicked This Way Comes as a young teenager and wondering if I could ever write anything as wonderful.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. I was at school and it was an extension of a creative essay. It was a ghost story inspired by The Eagles Hotel California. I don't have a copy of it anymore.
What do you read for pleasure?
I hardly ever read now. I used to read Sci-fi back in the day, the classics of the 60's and 70's such as Asimov, Heinlein and Clarke. Nowadays I'd rather use a computer game for diversion.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I haven't done any! Which is why I've sold so few copies...
Describe your desk
I don't write from a desk. I use a wireless keyboard from my armchair and a 50" TV as a monitor. I do have a desk in the corner, it's bears an antique radio, a metal horse, several notebooks and various bottles of booze.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Evelina 4 is under construction, and whereas 1 to 3 were consecutive and ended on cliff hangers, my aim is to give the reader a definite 'ending' this time. That's not to say there won't any more of the series... just that the sequence will be broken.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I've always wanted to write, ever since I can remember. As a child I would hold books, flick through them in wonder at the masses of words. I graduated from reading Marvel comics to sci-fi novels, I loved the garish, brash covers and the free-wheeling stories. And eventually I realised I had the plot for Evelina in my head just waiting to be written. I had named her Domino back then. I wrote it on a typewriter at work during my lunch breaks. I self-published too early, with no formal training or professional editing, and the result was a mess. I was disheartened for a while, then tried again with the jokingly titled 'She Monster from Hell'. Then tried again with 'Eve'. And then finally I wrote a version that I was pleased with... Evelina.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords gives a wannabe like me a platform. And its strict formatting rules help authors to produce a more professional result.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I love it when my characters develop and speak for themselves, when I don't have to force their dialogue. And of course I get a thrill when someone likes my work.
What do your fans mean to you?
Well, my 'fans' are a handful of generous-minded people who have shown unsolicited support for my work. So they mean the world to me, I am grateful to them. And I want to write more because of them.
What are you working on next?
On Smashwords I will soon be publishing a co-written project called "Anvil Creed - Dragon Warrior, From the dominion of the Vile" It's the first in a fantasy epic series. You can see it here on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/dashboard
Who are your favorite authors?
Ray Bradbury. Stephen King.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Being alive. In a free society, safe. So many others are suffering, it would be a sin to abuse a privilege like that.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I enjoy the usual everyday pleasures. Socialising, films and games.
How do you approach cover design?
I've created my own covers. I'm aware that they could be a lot better but I'm not skilled enough to do it. And I don't have the money, or inclination, to pay someone else to do it.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Titus Groan - The madness and despair. The decay of ages. Surreal yet tangible.
IT - The evocation of the period, the children's coming of age.
Something wicked this was Comes - Another coming of age story, and the unequivocal love of a father.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in the industrial West Midlands surrounded by Steel Works and Glass Factories. Smoke stacks and Iron forges. And grime. It made me want to escape.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.