The Great British Book Off

Welcome to the Great British Book Off. Please, introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you.

 

Hiya. My name’s Phil. I’m a regular guy. Husband and father, etc. All the usual stuff really. With one exception. I love to write.

 

1. What or who was your first inspiration to pick up a pen and write? Where do you find your current inspiration?

 

I first drafted a few short stories back in 2009, which I enjoyed doing. I then got the whiff of an idea in the run up to my wedding in 2010. I lay on a sun-lounger for two weeks plotting a story in my head, trying to craft a decent plot. I did other things as well. I didn’t abandon my new wife to writing. Lol. My current inspiration comes from my fellow authors, both indie and mainstream. They drive me forward with their great stories and support.

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2. What made you choose your particular writing genre? Have you or thought about writing in any other?

 

I grew up with Stephen King and later James Herbert. They got me into horror, loving the darkness of their books. I love the thought of supernatural stuff going on around us. The normal and the paranormal coming together. I have a Sci-Fi book in the works, along with a dark thriller planned for 2018/19. Watch this space.

 

3. How do you like to conduct your writing? Is there a set routine you follow?

 

Err, no. I write when I can find the time. I have a very busy life at the moment, with a wife and two boys taking up much of my time. Which is great by the way (if she’s reading this). I also have a day job, which is very full on. I somehow manage to write though. If you love something enough, you’ll find the time.

 

4. How do you choose your covers? Where do you start and how do you come to the final decision? Do you have a final say?

 

When my first book was released back in 2015, I pretty much had full say on how it would look. Now I am with a publisher, they have a big say. I wondered how this would pan out, as my ideas on covers is quite specific. My fears were quickly put to rest though. Rebecca, who designs the covers has done a truly fabulous job with both books, knowing what will catch the eye far better than I do.

 

5. Are your characters, good or bad, based on anyone you know?

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Mostly good. The bad guys are not really based on anyone I know. Well almost none of them (mother-in-law).

 

 6. Is there one piece of writing you are most proud of and why?

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Yes. At the end of The Turning, I had to kill of a main character. Don’t worry, I’ll not disclose that here. Writing the scene made me cry. I think that was my greatest moment as a writer, causing that much emotion to pour out onto the page.

 

And for a bit of fun…..

 

What is your favourite book from childhood? What is your favourite book at the moment?

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From my childhood, I’d have to say Of Mice and Men. At the moment, I’d opt for The Five People You Meet In Heaven. Both great books, fabulously written.

 

If you could have any 4 authors (alive or dead) at a dinner party who would it be and why?

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Stephen King – Just because it’s Stephen King.

Wilbur Smith – Because I love his books and love the whole Africa thing

Ernest Hemmingway – Because he’d be good in a drink off. Lol. I also think he would have a yarn or two to tell.

Michael Palin – Because he’s a hero of mine. I mean come on, who doesn’t love Michael Palin.

 

Quick fire round……

 

Favourite colour- Magenta.

Favourite food- Indian.

Favourite film- Raiders of The Lost Ark.

Favourite song – OOO. Toughie. At the moment I’d say, Both sides now by Joni Mitchell.

 

Real ale or wine? Ale. Just about.

Beans or peas? Beans.

Sauce-Red or brown?- Err hello, brown all day long.

Kindle or paperback?- Paperback. (I do have a Kindle though)

Chocolate-Milk or Dark?- Milk.

Tea or coffee? Coffee.

Coke or pepsi?- Coke. Cherry if possible.

Tapes/C.D’s/Vinyl?- C.D’s.

Marmite-Love it or hate it? I paint the gate posts with it.

 

And your final thoughts...

 

I just love the whole author scene. I love how we’re all pulling for each other. I’ve met some truly wonderful people since I started putting pen to paper. We’re unlike anyone else on Earth. We’re da bestest.

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And Now i can give you, my readers, an extract from the fabulous 1st novel, UNKNOWN by PHIL PRICE

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Lerwick

 

      The small steamer gently nudged the quayside, no harder than a baby would nudge its mother with its tiny feet. A wiry old man in a sloppy grey sweater, jeans, and a green woolly hat jump onto the harbour side with the agility of a man fifty years his junior. He quickly tied the boat in place, front and aft, aware that a storm was heading in. He spoke quickly and quietly with the Harbour Master. They exchanged slaps on the back and chuckles as the sky suddenly clouded over. Vince Kerr jumped back onto the steamer and went below decks. He would unload his true cargo tomorrow morning. He needed to get to his local. His belly thought his throat had been cut, needing a few pints of heavy for pudding. He walked aft, until he came to the one cabin he reserved for passengers. He was about to knock when the door swung open, startling him. “Shite man, yer took ten years off me.”

 

“Sorry Captain. I heard your footfalls. I was ready anyway.”

 

“Aye OK. Foller me.” The passenger did as he was bid until they were both stood on the harbour side. Vince feared few men, but looking up at the giant who had shared his beloved ship for three nights, he had made a recent exception. The old man stood a full head and shoulders taller than him. He wore dark eye glasses, which made Vince wary. His voice was deep and melodious. He’d expected trouble the first night. An instinct that had served him well all his life. On this occasion though,  it was way off. The giant had been a perfect passenger. Friendly, convivial. Almost jolly. He’d spoken of his family in a far off land that Vince had forgotten to ask the name of in his merry state. He’d also paid him handsomely for his passage. Little did Vince know, the Krone had come to his passenger by ill-gotten means. It mattered little to him.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” the giant said. His voice just audible above the wintery wind that was blowing in from the north.

“My pleasure Erik. Will you be staying in town overnight? I can recommend a good bed and breakfast above an equally good pub.”

The other man started to walk away. “No. I must continue my journey immediately.”

“Really. There is a storm on its way. Where are ye heading?”

“South.”

Vince chuckled. “Sooth is a big place. Where, in particular?” he asked, now curious.

The giant turned back towards him and smiled. As he did, Vince shivered from head to foot. The vampire, with many names, most recently Erik and Smeets said, “I’ll just follow my nose.”