Harry Morris

Q: What were you like at school?

I didn’t apply myself as well as I should have and as a result I ended up leaving school before I was 15 years old without a three year leaving certificate.

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

I always wanted to be a footballer, and join the armed forces, or the Police force.

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Honest, Caring, Loyal.

Q: What is your favourite word?

Marion

Q: What makes you cringe?

People with disgusting habits. Convicted criminals writing about and glamourising the crimes they were involved in. I cringe when I see them being glorified, publicised and paid huge sums of money. It’s despicable and dishonourable to their victims in society.

Q: What are you afraid of?

Losing a loved one. Apart from that, nothing really scares me. (Not yet anyway!)

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

Saturday 13th February 2010, while enjoying a night out with some friends at a pre Valentines Day Party.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

Marion Davren (my wife)

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Going to Auctions, Antique shops, Car Boot sales, and collecting Beatles memorabilia.

Q: What strange habits do you have?

I don’t drink out of mugs if they aren’t white inside. Don’t like wearing brand new clothes….I like that worn look!

Q: What’s your favourite food?

Roast Lamb & Yorkshire pudding / any fish dish and the diversity of Lebanese and Persian cuisine.

Q: What do you day dream about?

Being forgiven by those I have hurt. Travelling around the world and planning trips with Marion.

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

As a police officer, Jumping through the front window of a house that I had just smashed to gain entry, during a drugs raid and being confronted by a large ferocious Rotweiller dog.

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

A serious acting role.

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

I can’t stop the ageing process, but I feel younger. (Even with all my aches and pains)

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

Honesty, good personality, fun loving, loyalty.

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

Ephesus in Turkey

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

Always use my common sense when dealing with a situation/incident..

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

My diction. Although when abroad, people like my Scottish accent.

Q: What has life taught you?

Take each day as it comes, don’t waste time arguing and don’t look ahead and worry about things that might never happen!

Q: How long have you been a writer?

Six years

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

I had always collated funny stories all through my police service and I always used humour to get me through some stressful situations. When I retired in 2001 from the Force, I toured around Europe with a folk band I managed and performed with and in 2004, I felt I had enough of the touring scene and left with the idea, I would sit back and write my short stories for myself. I was fortunate when a friend gave a small excerpt of my stories to a newspaper editor and a week later they published one in the national newspaper. Through this one article, I received almost a thousand enquiries for my book, so I set about self-publishing to begin with, but having received very good reviews about my work from other sources and radio, I was even more fortunate to be contacted by my present publisher Black & White Publishing, Edinburgh, who asked me to sign with them.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

In a small cupboard-like office, just inside the entrance to my house. Nothing fancy I’m afraid, but I enjoy it.

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

Best things are being recognised by readers who have seen my ‘One Man Show “STAND-UP” performances’ or read my books and enjoyed them. Worst thing is trying to please everybody and those who don’t consider my work as a real job! Particularly family members, Credit Card Companies, Banks and ex-cops.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

Listening to people talking. Life experiences, I work on the dialogue and pick up little snippets from supermarket queues, Post offices, Car Boots, everyday situations, etc….

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

My wife says I go in a bad mood, but I usually wait till I think of something!

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

The Famous Five by Enid Blyton. However, I am sorry to say I don’t read books much, due to not having very good concentration. However, along with a co-writer in Spain, ae have written 14 childrens books titled, ‘The Adventures of Harry the Policeman’ and at present are looking for a publisher.

Q: What book do you wish you had written?

Harry Potter! I would even change my name by deed poll! No seriously, probably ‘Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, or The Green Mile, both by Stephen King. So well adapted for the screen.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Just to write what they feel like, don’t try to put yourself into a category that doesn’t suit you. I write about comedy, but people often ask, ‘After 30 years in the Police Service, why not Crime?’ Because I’m comfortable with what I do and I like to make people laugh! With regards to Crime…you can read it everyday in every newspaper and after a while it becomes depressing! I think!