I read almost anything, provided it is well-written, engaging has depth and is thought-provoking. Preference goes to intelligent use of literary tools and license

Apple iPad

This is my first book ever. However, author reputation has led me to seek out certain books, as has the use of clever titles

Cluttered with books, a laptop, a mug of coffee and an iPad... haha

I grew up in the countryside, with limited exposure to electronic distractions such as television. I naturally found solace in books, and by age 8 I was reading several steps above my level. This opened up a whole new world to me: the world of fantasy, curiosity, infinite knowledge and a need to keep reading. My writing has thus been a way to join that world, to be a fellow explorer as well as influence the thinking of those around me. Rather than depend on a somebody else's idea of anything, with writing I can create an entire universe exactly the way I want it

I started writing in 1993, at the age of 8

The book is actually my first, a non-fiction. It is a compilation of my newspaper articles, along with some addenda. Being subjected to my newspaper editor's whims, I felt it was about time I did things exactly as I visualized them originally

I wanted to be an author all along. Naturally, I also wanted to get published. Unlike before, the world today has a lot more authors than it did, say, 10 years ago, and so getting a publishing house to notice you, buy your manuscript and publish it then pay you royalties is become almost impossible. Rather than pay hundreds of thousands of dollars that I don't have to publish a book, I found it more practical to start out independent and try to make a name for myself. THEN maybe, just maybe, a publishing house will notice my work

This is my first book. My success is yet to be seen

Writing for me is a way of release. It is also a way to create worlds, influence opinion and engage and talk to many people who I will most likely never meet

Without my fans, maybe I would have chosen to do something else. It is because of my fans that I stick to writing

The second instalment to the series. It is not a sequel, or an addition; but the works are related

John Grisham. Barbara Kingsolver. Sidney Sheldon. Tom Clancy. Danielle Steele. The list is a little long

As of the past few weeks: the need to see my book published

Reading. Talking long walks. Finishing projects not related to books or writing. Spending time with my son

I just trawl the internet until I see something I might like

Yes.

I come up with an idea. I write it as it develops in my mind. Once I get to the end of it, i start reading what I have just written, ironing out inconsistencies, fleshing out some details, eliminating redundant and/or irrelevant material, polishing expressions, phrases and sentences. I do this repeatedly until I am fairly satisfied with what I have.