Ian C Douglas

Q: What were you like at school?

Always the last one to be picked for football.

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

An author

Q: What makes you cringe?

Not much. As an author you get to see it all!

Q: What are you afraid of?

Brussel sprouts

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

Can't remember.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

I treasure my family above all things. But in terms of items, I'd say my computer.

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Read, swim, cycle, country walks, bird spotting, origami.

Q: What’s your favourite food?

Fish and chips

Q: What do you day dream about?

Traveling the world.

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

I've never been naughty.(Oops that last sentence is the most outrageous -it's a bald faced fib!)

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

Artist. I used to paint and exhibit at fancy galleries. But I don't have time at the moment.

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

Sometimes I feel about 106 and then other times 6 years old.

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

My favorite singer, Paul Robeson.

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

Honesty

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

Possibly China, or Vietnam or Laos.

Q: How long have you been a writer?

Since the age of 6 really. But in the sense of professional writing 15 years.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

In my studio at the top of the house. It's the attic room.

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

The best thing is meeting readers and having fun. The worst thing is the pension!

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

Everywhere! Science articles, the newspaper, and some just seem to spontaneously pop up in my brain.

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

Zeke Hailey. He lacks confidence but tries hard to overcome this. He's lost someone dear to him but won't ever stop looking.

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

Chocolate: by the truck load.

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

So many! Lord of the Rings? Wizard of Earthsea? To Kill a Mockingbird.

Q: What book do you wish you had written?

Any book that made a million bucks!

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Practice. Read. Connect with other writers, like critique groups. Network. Train. Grow a rhinoceros-thick skin.