Oldman Brook

Q: What were you like at school?

I was very studious at school. I enjoyed going to lessons and loved to learn. My favourite lessons were English, PE and Art. I used to write a lot of stories which I passed onto the English teacher, hoping for a critique, whilst impressed my teacher told my mum politely, "I don't have enough time to read them all. Please tell him to stop."

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

I don't know why, but a solicitor sticks in the mind. I now buy biscuits for a living.

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Driven Awkward Good-hearted (secretly, don't tell anyone)

Q: What makes you cringe?

Real life tales of blood and gore. When people talk, I can visualise the situations they are explaining and sometimes pre-empt what will happen next.

Q: What are you afraid of?

Wasps! I run a mile, if one gets close by.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

It was a first edition, first impression of The Hobbit. Now, I would say, my book, and Ella, my daughter, for whom the book was written.

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Go to the gym, visit car boots, book collecting, DIY, too much to mention. I love to sit down and spend time relaxing when I'm not doing these things.

Q: What strange habits do you have?

I have a 'thing' about best before dates on food. I can't touch things that are even a couple of days away from going off.

Q: What’s your favourite food?

Hard to say, I love all foods, every Friday night though, I'll treat myself to a vegetable curry.

Q: What do you day dream about?

Anything and everything. I want to dream. Day or night, I'm an escapist.

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

The most exciting was taking a year out to travel the world. I've been lucky enough to see a good many things. India and New Zealand are my favourite countries. India, for its colour and chaos. New Zealand for its beauty.

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

I want to be a writer. To work from home, for yourself, dream up stories and words as a living, would be bliss.

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

Some days I feel older, some days I feel younger.

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

Tolkien, would be up there.

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

Fairness.

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

India, the colour, the people, the culture, the differing landscapes and the chaos is inspiring.

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

I'm often quite grumpy and pessimistic, I've often been decribed as 'carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders'. I would like to be more carefree.

Q: What has life taught you?

If you persevere in anything that you do, sometimes it will bring great riches and sometimes you will be disappointed; but keep persevering nonetheless.

Q: How long have you been a writer?

I've been a writer since school, however, it was only two years ago that I made a serious effort to write.

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

Ella is my inspiration. I wanted to write her a short story, to read at bedtime. Putting pen to paper, The Wizard of Crescent Moon Mountain was born.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

On the sofa, in front of the TV, or whilst listening to music.

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

The best thing is letting your imagination run wild. The worst is editing grammar and words imagined, over and over until the story is perfect.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

Other authors, other books, through film and television, from talking to people at work or observing others. Ideas and inspirations are everywhere.

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

Greybeard the Wizard. He is grumpy and often insensitive, but good hearted, loyal and always wanting to do the right thing.

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

Take a few days out and experience real life. I find this unblocks the mind.

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.

Q: What book do you wish you had written?

The Hobbit - pure genius.