Stephen Griffiths

Q: What were you like at school?

A bit of a maverick, more interested in avoiding work than doing any. Sport obsessed (as a player, never interested in watching) holding down paid jobs while underage.

Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?

Myrmecologist.

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Laid-back, friendly and energetic.

Q: What is your favourite word?

Porridge, who would come up with that to describe boiled oats?

Q: What makes you cringe?

Politics and politicians.

Q: What are you afraid of?

Failure.

Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?

Every day brings something funny.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

There's nothing I couldn't live without or replace.

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Historical re-enactment.

Q: What’s your favourite food?

Much as I'd like to be a vegetarian, its roast lamb.

Q: What do you day dream about?

Moving somewhere sunny.

Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?

I can't disclose such detail...

Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Safari-park warden.

Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?

Younger apart from the knees.

Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

Isaac Asimov, a remarkable mind.

Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?

Probably kindness.

Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Karnak, luxor, Egypt. It has everything. Stunningly impressive.

Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

My dad always told me to listen to others but be true to myself.

Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?

My knees.

Q: What has life taught you?

To learn from the past. There's very little new under the sun...

Q: How long have you been a writer?

I've always had jobs that involve creating written work (adverts, press releases etc) but it was only in 2000 that I started my first book.

Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?

When I was house-bound with a broken leg.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

On my laptop, anywhere.

Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?

The best feeling is when someone praises your work. The worst is trying to get published in the first place.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

History, life or when I'm asleep.

Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?

My fictional hero usually behaves as I believe I would in similar circumstances, though they are usually younger, fitter and a lot better looking.

Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?

Switch genres and go back to the problem a few days later.

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

Season on the Plain by Franklin Russel

Q: What book do you wish you had written?

Harry Potter.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Two things. The obvious one 'don't give up' and, more importantly, leave a piece of work for a few days or even weeks or months before going back to it.