Today iI’m pleased to be taking part in the blog tour for Oakwood Falls. My post is written with thanks to Zoe O’Farrell for inviting me on the blog tour and to the author for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write? 

I’ve wanted to write since about the age of 18. Prior to that, I wanted to be a police officer. I even joined the West Sussex Police Cadets, which unfortunately put me off joining.

What were your previous jobs? Have they helped you with your writing process?

Wow! What a question! I’ve run pubs and social clubs, I’ve worked in kitchens, I’ve run off-licenses and convenience stores; I’ve done telemarketing and telesales, and the list goes on and on. In all honesty, these life experiences have shaped my writing. In Marble’s Marvels, the kitchen in it is identical to one I worked in a while back. 

What was your inspiration for Oakwood Falls?

I can’t say there was any specific inspiration. I had this cool idea about supernatural beings living in the earth, who help Mother Nature prevent humans from destroying her. The Reclaimed are humans who have been chosen. The strong ecological message in the story is intentional. My wife and I are big advocates of trying to save the planet.

How do you construct your characters? Do they have traits of people you know?

This is a difficult question. I have an idea of what traits they’re going to have. For example, I wanted Ashley Oakwood to start off young and innocent, liking humans, until later in life she gets rejected. Knowing she is better than humans, the rejection doesn’t go down well. It’s essentially about her descent into madness, becoming a tyrant. So you will see her going from this lovely young girl, to the monster she becomes.

What does your writing process look like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I would say 75% plotter and 25% pantser, which is to say that I always know what’s going to happen at the start and end. Often I will know what’s going to happen in the middle, too, but there’s always an element of flying by the seat of my pants in all my books. I work as a dental technician in the day, so I write in the evenings and more on weekends. I try to write 1000 – 1500 words a day and 3000 words on a weekend day.

How did you research Oakwood Falls? Did you enjoy it?

I had to research places mainly. It’s set predominantly in Kielder Forest, Northumberland, so I Googled the area, the types of trees they have there etc, to try and make it as authentic as possible. Being a supernatural fantasy, research is a bit limited, but for location I researched a lot. I love research; I love finding out new bits of information.

Who are your favourite writers? Are you influenced by them?

Mari Puzo and Stephen Leather. In romance, I’m really enjoying Leigh Duncan. I wouldn’t say I’m influenced by them, more movies I’ve seen, I think. I know it sounds bad, but I’m a slow reader. On the flip side, I can watch a movie most nights. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I read and write mainly, watch films. I go out with friends when I can, so I enjoy the socialising. I love hosting cocktail parties round our house. We have a fully stocked spirits cabinet, complete with shakers and gorgeous cocktail glasses.

What is next for you?

I’m writing a romance series set in America right now. I’ve just finished Like Strawberry Wine, set in Ridgmont, Ohio, about a mum and daughter who go and visit their grandad’s farm on vacation. While there, the mum meets her ex-boyfriend, and the daughter meets someone special, too. It’s double trouble, two stories running consecutively. Now I’m writing the next book in the series, That’s The Good Stuff.

Favourites:

Book? The Godfather

Film?   Poltergeist

Band/Singer? Country Music, too many to choose, but probably Deanna Carter, or Loretta Lyn.

TV show? Gomorrah

Colour?    Green

Place?      Portsmouth

Biscuit?    Chocolate Digestives

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Oakwood Falls is available from Amazon.

You can follow the rest of the blog tour here: