What's the story behind your latest book?
I am really a fan of epic or heroic fantasy and have been writing in this genre for a number of years. The world and storyline I have created, though, has grown so huge that it's going to make a couple of trilogies. It's still a work in progress and the first book is due out in December 2013.
I did have some interest from publishers but most of them told me the book didn't fit into their lists, mainly because the story was not specifically epic or heroic enough. I don't do orcs, goblins or fairies - Tolkein is the master of those - but I do write about what I can believe in, albeit with a long stretch of the imagination.
As a challenge to publishers and their obsession with limiting books to genres, I decided to write a contemporary novel with a very subtle fantasy element thrown in and publish it myself.
I have set up a publishing company called Ivy Moon Press, which will showcase authors of quality speculative fiction, and launched it with The Sleeping Warrior.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
My books are character driven. I begin with a rough idea where I want the story to be set and put a character in place. Another few come along, they go somewhere and do something and the story evolves organically.
I have no idea where it will lead me or where and how it will end. I don't make lists, draw mind maps or jot ideas down. They tend to flow with their own freedom and expression and everything comes together in the end.
This is the real joy of writing for me as sometimes I am as surprised as the reader.
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