I started writing seriously in 2006, before then I really did not have enough time, spending most of it working or commuting to or from work. Now I have retired I have the time to write.

Well I found the merest outline for it amongst some old ideas that I had tucked away, on reading it through I thought it might make a short story, in the end it evolved into a full length story.

I had read that it was almost impossible to get published the old fashioned way, in book form, so one day I read an article about e-books and thought that it would suit me down to the ground. I had a lot of stories inside my head and now I could write them down and get them published.

First the Mark Coker guides as how to become an indie author and then Smashwords made it simple to publish my books.

Finishing the story and being proud of my accomplishment.

A lot, they give me a reason to write knowing that my efforts are appreciated.

A story titled The Venetou. It tells a story of a fight against space vampires. When I thought about the hero the British actor Peter Cushing came to mind. He made a lot of good films but his role in the Dracula movies was the one that came to mind.

There are so many. Leslie Charteris, Dennis Wheatley, John Creasey, James Blish, Colin Dexter, Ian Fleming, Arthur Upfield, from my younger days. Now it is Rachel Caine, Dr A Nyland, J K Rowling, S A Hunter, Ben Bova, Tom Clancy, Michael Jecks, Ian Rankin, Douglas Adams.

I am retired now and I live on the Greek island of Crete, there is no problem getting out of bed. I have the warm sun and the blue sea to enjoy and I do it amongst the lovely people of Crete.
Sometimes though it is the rush to write down the ideas that have come to me regarding the new book that I am currently writing. The ideas come when I am still half asleep and I need to get them down. I now have a book by my bedside to jot down any ideas just for this occasion.

Learning Greek, and that is hard as it takes a lot of work to do something that is difficult when you are supposed to be retired and enjoying life.

I check for any new books written by my favourite authors, if that fails I look through the new books published on Smashwords.

My first attempt at Time storm, it was terrible, now thankfully I have a book that I am proud of.

After spending an hour on my Greek lessons I turn to my story and write until either my eyes tire or my mind does. Sometimes it takes all day, other times, especially after I have received a bad review it, it is a much shorter time.

I am too old to remember that far back.