I vividly remember curling up with Enid Blyton and the Famous Five novels when I was very young. I was a slow reader and struggled until she captured my imagination. In high school I was blessed with the most amazing group of english teachers so was introduced to Ernest Hemingway, DH Lawrence, Gerald Durrell, Joseph Conrad, Shakespeare, Chekov, Chaucer, F Scott Fitzgerald, Rudyard Kipling, Dickens and Thomas Hardy .
Would you say your childhood and teenage reading has had a distinct influence on how you write fiction now, and why?
My childhood and teenage reading just opened up a whole new world to me. My style is nothing like any of these writers. They just brought to me the sheer joy of reading.
Pick one of your favourites among your fiction stories or a story which is an interesting example from your fiction. What makes this story one of your favourites or an interesting example of your fiction?
One of my favuorites is actually a short story for children in the 7-9 age group. It's not funny but there is some humour in it. It's not quirky and it doesn't end with a twist.
It's a beautiful gentle unfolding of a little girls grief after her mother dies. I simply found myself inside this little girls head and wrote her story.
It's very poignant without being sentimental. I like it because it is so different.
Who is another author whose fiction writing you admire and why?
The list is impossibly long. I read voraciously. I devour books and average 5 books per month. I have a stand out favourite - The Dandelion Clock by Guy Burt - his debut novel.
Then equally I enjoy John Marsden, Morris Gleitzman and James Phelan and I can't go past a Dan Brown - his books are so formulaic but the pace of his novels makes them
impossible for me to put down.
How would you summarise one of your short stories in one paragraph?
Short, sharp, often quirky with a twist.
How would you describe the appeal of this short story to readers?
I drop the reader into the action immediately, lull them into a false sense of security concerning the central character then shock the reader right at the very end.
The reaction is usually urghhh then laughter.
How would you summarise a scene or sub-section from this short story in one paragraph?
I can't - I write very short short stories most of the time.
How would you describe the contribution this scene or sub-section makes to the short story?
The whole story is meant to ensnare the reader into one set of beliefs about the central character: the shock effect is because she does something so unexpected.
Do you aspire to primarily write novels in the future, or are you more interested in writing short stories, and why?
I will always write short stories as well as novels and poetry. I find if things are not going well in one area of my writing I can always flip to something else.
I have never suffered writers block. I'm always writing something.
Do you read many short story anthologies, and why?
Yes - I love them. When it is a collection of several authors there is constant variety. The strength of one author producing an anthology of their own demonstrates their versatility as a writer. It's a way for an established author who may be known for one style of writing to escape those confines and enjoy some freedom.
What lengths of short stories do you usually write, and why?
Usually less than 2000 words. I have a couple that are longer, but I enjoy the challange of making every word count so I edit and edit
Do you submit for many short story competitions, anthologies and magazines, and what are your main motivations for this?
I do submit to anthologies, magazines and competitions. My main motivation used to be - seeing myself in print, but now I am seriously searching for paying opportunities.
Author website: http://findpublishing.wordpress.com
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