Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a house with one parent, no siblings and little money, so I developed a hyperactive and fairly abstract imagination very early on. I used to improvise stories for other kids when I was 4. I couldn't stop having ideas all the time and I still can't now. I do a lot of the work on my novels in my head before I write anything down. Once I've begun a novel the ideas never stop, I don't have to search for them. I'm also very happy being on my own, which makes novel writing the ideal activity.
When did you first start writing?
I tried to write a novel when I was 7, managing 4 pages before giving up. At 9 I wrote a half hour one act play and press-ganged 2 school friends into endless rehearsals. I asked for a typewriter for my 10th birthday and began writing stories and poems. At 16 I started writing hundreds of comedy sketches. I again tried to write a novel at 18 and managed a 20,000 word novella which was dreadful. After distracting myself with stand-up comedy, journalism, music, life and stuff, I got back into novels in my late 30s and finally finished one properly just before my 40th birthday.
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