I've always wanted to be a writer. Well, truthfully I started off wanting to be an artist (aged 5), but realised later (15) that while the idea of the destitute artist is very romantic, the reality isn't all that great. So I carried on drawing and painting but with no real aim of making it a career, and along the way realised that I could write as well, thanks in no small part to some excellent teachers that gave very good (and very constructive) feedback. So here I am, trying to make that a reality while I work full time. I don't want to be a destitute writer either.
I mainly read Fantasy, Science-Fiction and Horror stories but I've delved into a lot of Historical Fiction and Thrillers along the way. Nothing is out of bounds if it's interesting, which may well explain my fascination with Ancient History, and my resulting degree in Classical Studies with English from King's College London. Sounds very posh, but it really wasn't! Currently I'm working for an online DVD rental company called LOVEFiLM (yes, it's written like that, I haven't gone mad with the cap lock) and in my few hours at home I'm trying to write, while satisfying my gaming habit, and getting through my films at home. I am not succeeding at all these things all the time...
I'm currently working on a first draft of a novel which, without giving too much away, is a gothic horror fantasy mystery... thing. It's still a work in progress and technically was begun a year ago (2010) but I've recently picked it up again and am determined to finish it! I also write short stories when the whim takes me, but I often find these turning into far longer exercises. And lastly I have done some freelance articles and film reviews for a couple of sites and am always happy to hear about new opportunities. If they're paying. I don't mind doing tiny little things for free but I would like to make some money form my writing. Note the whole "don't want to be destitute" bit above. I love writing. But I love writing and making money from it more.
This blog mainly features my mutterings about life the universe and everything, but I try to keep it reasonably focused on the areas I'm interested in (see above). Though I may write about sun dappled unicorns if the whim ever takes me.
Favourite writers: Stephen King, Sheri Tepper, Robin Hobb, Stephen Donaldson, China Mieville (to name only a few)
