The Next Big Thing

Thanks to Jan Edwards for nominating me as one of her writers who are going onto great things. Another thank you too to Barry Lillie who awarded me the same honour.


Now that the baton has been passed to me, and I've already mentioned two people previously nominated, I'm going for five fresh nominees. These, like the above, are people whose careers you should watch, because they are all immensely talented in their own fields and more than deserve to be The Next Big Thing.

So here goes:

Krishan Coupland
Guy Rowlands
Jonathan Clarkson
Paul Gubbins
Elisa Green

To be honest there are more people out there I would have liked to add to the list, but the rules are to choose only five and I have a sneaking suspicion that I've already bent them a little. So if I haven't mentioned you, think Renegade Writers, it's not that I don't think you're good, brilliant, or deserving of success.

Now to the questions:

1 What is the working title of your next book?

That's "House of Shadows" which is at the being considered by my agent stage. Currently, however, I have "Dragonfire" a kids book 8-12 range, but adults love it too being promoted on Kindle. This is basically aimed at anyone who is suffering from Harry Potter deprivation.

The most recent of my short stories to be in an anthology is "The Satan Stones" in "The Alchemy Press Book of Ancient Wonders."

2 Where do your ideas come from?

Places often inspire my stories. The inspiration behind "House of Shadows" is a sinister old house that looms above the estate on the outskirts of Bristol where I lived as a child. The city has provided the background for many of my stories as has the Devil's Ring and Finger, ancient stones in Shropshire.

"Dragonfire" however is based on my family and friends. My daughter Posy was the inspiration for Polly and her brother David and sister Lucy, as well as their partners and half brother, all play important roles, all with their permission of course.

3 What genre does you book fall under?

"House of Shadows" is a supernatural, time slip novel. "Dragonfire"a Harry Potter if there is such a genre, kids' fantasy if not.

4 What actors would you choose to play the parts of your characters in a movie rendition of your book?

This was hard as I'm not sure the rules allow actors from all different eras, though given the subject matter of "House of Shadows" this ought to be possible. Still this is my 21st Century list: Ann Hathaway as Jo, but with blonde hair, Colin Firth as Richard, the older but still sexy husband, Katie McGarth as Sophia an incarnation of evil and revenge and David Tennant for Nicholas. He has the looks and he is such a brilliant and versatile actor.

5 What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

At Kingsfield where past and present dissolve and melt into one, Jo must fight for her future and her very soul.

6 Will your book be self-published or represented through an agency? 

Hopefully my agent will be able to sell it in the traditional way, if not "House of Shadows" will be unleashed upon the internet.

7 How long did it take you to write the first draft?

Years. The book has been gestating for a long, long time. The first version I planned when I was about twelve and it has developed from there. There has been constant drafting and re-drafting until I asked Jan Edwards to look at it. Her pertinent comments sorted out the basic flaw in the structure and that was it. I can recommend her critical eye to anyone needing an honest appraisal. Also thanks to Beta Reader Rachel Hallett.

8 What other books would you compare this story to?

"Labyrinth" by Kate Mosse and "The Lady of Hay" by Barbara Erskine.

9 Who or what inspired you to write this book? 

KingsWeston House in Bristol.

10 What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Glimpses of Bristol's history and heritage of the Slave Trade and of course the central character, who is a strong and determined woman who forges her own path through life. And there's sex too.