Interview with Ray Daley

Published 2013-10-27.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Sleeping. Eating chocolate. Watching old sf shows. Reading. Oh, and attending the Eye Clinic.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Not really, I started writing stuff when I was about 8 or 9. I had an English teacher called Mr Lewis, he was quite an old fella as he'd been at the school teaching some of my older siblings so he was pretty long in the tooth but he was a really positive influence as he let me write whatever I wanted.
I recall one of the oldest things I wrote being a time travel story where I was the hero but I died at the end after I was burnt at the stake for being a witch.
What is your writing process?
It varies. I either get an idea and start typing it up or I get the idea when the computer isn't switched on and I hand write it then type it up the next day.
How do you approach cover design?
I design my own (I have had 1 cover designed for me), I generally use images that I think reflect the content. I choose line art that I colour in myself or choose a few images and splice them together. I have had 1 cover created for me (the book is currently still being written) and another has been farmed out (yes, book also in production) recently. Unless I credit someone in my authors notes then my covers have been created by me, perhaps not completely from scratch (sometimes I see a piece of an image and use it, I'm a bit of a visual magpie) but they are all done by me.
What do you read for pleasure?
Science fiction mostly, Robert Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, Joe Haldeman, Harry Harrison, William Gibson.
Or humour, Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt, Robert Rankin.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle, K3 keyboard, wifi only. It's been rooted so I have better screensavers.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
Coventry, I don't think it has influenced my writing apart from the fact I am very much a city boy though I grew up in the suburbs.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
This might upset some users but I actually get more downloads from Feedbooks.
Sorry Smashwords, but it's true!
Smashwords has got me onto Itunes which I'm quite proud of.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I write to amuse myself, I write the stuff I'd read. If anyone else enjoys it then that's a bonus as far as I am concerned.
What are you working on next?
Currently nothing, I have a lot of stuff finished and ready to be released. It's nice to be ahead of the game for a change.
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