PERFECT 10
Perfect 10 is simply brief and informal interviews with other writers, some aspiring and some successful.
The interviews on this page are with: Claire Nixon, Mike Acton, Michael Treacy, 'Hazy-Jo' and Elle Bryant.
Claire Nixon.
James: Before we get too deep - tell me a bit about yourself (where you’re from, family, occupation etc)
Claire: Simply just a housewife, from the North East,
James: How old were you when you first wrote poetry or prose and what inspired you?
Claire: I think I was about 27, maybe 28, I think! It was that long ago I can’t remember. What made me do it? Reading, one day I thought I could do that, so I did.
James: What was your first story/poem called and what was it about?
Claire: My very first attempt was an erotic piece it was called Freedom. I had almost forgot about that one.
James: Do you still have your first written work, or is it lost forever (and if it is lost are you glad it’s gone?)
Claire: I have most of my early written works but a fair bit vanished. I think the aliens took them, wish they never took them.
James: What inspires you to write today?
Claire: Hard one... Allsorts really, the slightest thing can trigger me off, which is very easy.
James: What are your favourite three books and who are your three favourite authors?
Claire: My top three authors are, Stephen King, Stephen King and Stephen King. Okay, so I like Shaun Hutson and Dean Koontz too! Green mile, Dream Catcher and The Dark Tower Books are my favourite reads, of course all done by Stephen King.
James: Do you have any current writing projects and what are your plans for the immediate future?
Claire: Oh crikey, I have few going at the minute. My novel Barry, a horror screenplay Something, a mini series Emily, another novel based on a diary of a sex mad woman. I’m also editing the follow on book to Tabitha and Pirate Jim, so far I have written another two to follow on. I’m also editing a few horror short stories and I plan to send them off to magazines. Also editing an erotica short to send off too. As for immediate future plans, to bloody finish these and submit my works to magazines!
James: Have you ever been published or have you any literary awards/achievements under your belt?
Claire: I have a short story published on TellYouATale.com, Christmas Bloody Shopping and I have self-published a children’s story, Tabitha and Pirate Jim for my daughter. As for achievements, I was commended in a competition and that was published in their anthology too. And I’ve come close in other competitions. Otherwise nothing much.
James: Are you an author who has embraced the internet or are you a technophobe?
Claire: Internet, it has helped me a hell of a lot with my writing, without it I wouldn’t be where I am today which is in a small cold room.
James: Finally. If you had control over your future where would you like your life and your writing to be in ten years time?
Claire: Very tough. I’d like to see at least one novel published. As for my life... hhmmm... sitting on a beach with half naked men running around after me.
James: Claire thank you for your time, it was a pleasure.
Mike Acton
James: Before we get to deep - tell me a bit about yourself (where you’re from, family, occupation etc)
Mike: I was born with the unfortunate name of Michael Jackson on 31/10/1946 (weird in its self!). I was brought up by my grandparents who, as a small boy, I believed were my parents. When I was seven a strange woman appeared in my life who it turned out was my birth mother. She married my stepfather (hence my altered surname) who adopted me in 1956. Despite asking many times I have never found out who my birth father was. There is a suggestion that is name was Bill Davies a soldier from
James: How old were you when you first wrote poetry or prose and what inspired you?
Mike: I was a very late developer in more ways than one! I didn't start writing until I was 33 and that was because I suffered a breakdown and was encouraged to write as a "therapy"
James: What was your first story/poem called and what was it about?
Mike: My first story was a sci-fi piece whose title escapes me anyway it was about Jesus returning to earth in a spaceship. No wonder I had a breakdown!
James: Do you still have your first written work, or is it lost forever (and if it is lost are you glad it’s gone?)
Mike: The above was my first piece and I still have it buried somewhere. I saw it the other day and nearly died with embarrassment!
James: What inspires you to write today?
Mike: Anger is my inspiration. Those that know me also know the reason for my anger. Without it I would have nothing to write about.
James: What are your favourite three books and who are your three favourite authors?
Mike: My three books are: Cries Unheard (the story of Mary Bell), Oliver Twist because his life and mine have many parallels and anything biographical. Favourite authors; Charles Dickens because his characters live on. Oscar Wilde for his wit and P D James for no other reason than she is a lovely lady and I had the pleasure of meeting her on more than one occasion.
James: Do you have any current writing projects and what are your plans for the immediate future?
Mike: I am writing my first novel UNLOCK which portrays a lot of the anger I mentioned above. It needs working on but thanks to people like Claire and Don from the UKA Press Gang I'm getting there. My plan is to finish this novel and retire from the proceeds of film rights .....I wish!
James: Have you ever been published or have you any literary awards/achievements under your belt?
Mike: My first serious piece of writing was a children’s ghost story called SEABOOTS which, in 1982, won first prize in a national competition. I won several small local competitions during my time on the
James: Are you an author who has embraced the internet or are you a technophobe?
Mike: I am still learning about the internet. It’s a fascinating world which is shouting out to be discovered!
James: Finally. If you had control over your future where would you like your life and your writing to be in ten years time?
Mike: I would love to be responsible for reuniting many more people by the time my ten years is up. As for my writing I hope I still feel angry.
James: Mike, thanks you for your time, it was a pleasure.
Michael Treacy
James: Before we get to deep - tell me a bit about yourself (where you’re from, family, occupation etc)
Michael: I’m a 50-something year old married man with 3 children, 1 grandchild and 2 cats. I live on the southern tip of
James: How old were you when you first wrote poetry or prose and what inspired you?
Michael: I wrote my first poem at the age of 11, for which I won a 10 shilling book token in a school competition (early 60s). Next time I wrote one, was in 1982 (called ‘1982’ funnily enough) - I was a bit cheesed off with 4 million people on the dole at that time. I took up writing poetry seriously in 2003 and I haven’t stopped since. I don’t think one particular thing started me off again - it was something I’d thought about all my life and I finally had time to do it. I regard it as an absorbing hobby.
James: What was your first story/poem called and what was it about?
Michael: It was the poem I mentioned above, called, “Running away From School”. I still have the poem floating about inside my head - I was packing my bags and running away to
James: Do you still have your first written work, or is it lost forever (and if it is lost are you glad it’s gone?)
Michael: I don’t have ‘Running Away From School’ written down, but could probably recall it if I had to - hopefully I’ve got it forever. I’ve still got ‘My Love’ recorded and it’s definitely one of my favourites.
James: What inspires you to write today?
Michael: I write poetry for the sheer hell of it. I can’t run marathons and I never got to climb Mount Everest or score the winning goal for
James: What are your favourite three books and who are your three favourite authors?
Michael: I just don’t have favourite books or authors. I read and enjoy almost anything that I pick up.
James: Do you have any current writing projects and what are your plans for the immediate future?
Michael: I’m currently attempting to put together a collection of 80 poems (10 chapters, each of 8 poems) with a view to getting them published. I’ll self-publish if I’m not successful by the ‘normal’ route. I want to do this for my own sake because I have a desire to leave a book of my poetry for my children, grandchildren and the trillions of nieces and nephews that I have.
James: Have you ever been published or have you any literary awards/achievements under your belt?
Michael: I’ve had about a dozen poems published in various anthologies and magazines, to date. I also have about a dozen pending publication this year.
James: Are you an author who has embraced the internet or are you a technophobe?
Michael: I’ve definitely embraced the internet (with a little bit of help from the family techno-whiz kids). I post poetry on a couple of different on-line writers groups and I have my own website...
James: Finally. If you had control over your future where would you like your life and your writing to be in ten years time?
Michael: Concerning life, I’d like to still be fit and healthy and to still have a happy and healthy family around me. Concerning writing, I’d like to have published my poetry collection and safely got a copy of the book into the hands of as many family members, that would like to own a copy. As well as... selling the millionth copy of my latest novel... and having a million pounds in the bank from the sale of books to date... and of course, finally having that hot, steamy affair with Michelle Pfeiffer.
James: Thanks Michael for your time. It was a pleasure.
Hazy-Jo
James: Before we get to deep - tell me a bit about yourself (where you’re from, family, occupation etc)
Jo: I'm a Londoner (well, actually I'm an ex-Essex girl, but maybe we shouldn't go there!) I have one sister, Vicky and I'm a very proud Auntie to her 3 kids. I work as a legal secretary in the City for a corporate law firm.
James: How old were you when you first wrote poetry or prose and what inspired you?
Jo: First wrote poetry in my early teens. It was my 'outlet' for my emotions. I didn't start writing prose until I joined UKA last July.
James: What was your first story/poem called and what was it about?
Jo: I think my first poem was about riding a horse through a forest in autumn. My first story (since school/college!) was "Do You Remember?" as subbed on UKA.
James: Do you still have your first written work, or is it lost forever (and if it is lost are you glad it’s gone?)
Jo: Story - see above, and poem - well, haven't got the horse one, but have handwritten all that I wrote in my late teens/20s into a hard backed book. Some of the early ones are just awful... others not so bad.
James: What inspires you to write today?
Jo: For me, it's an interpretation of how I see or feel something. Almost like when you try to recall a dream and you're trying not to lose the thread as you relay it. Absolutely anything can inspire me. A word, an image, a memory, an emotion. I can't bear sitting there trying to force an idea. If something comes to me, I have to get it down and work with it there and then.
James: What are your favourite three books and who are your three favourite authors?
Joe: THREE? ONLY THREE? OH MY GOD! Favourite book ever is REPLAY by Ken Grimwood. Everyone must read it. I love it (am sure you can get it through Amazon or eBay) and have read it heaps. Other two faves probably include WHITE OLEANDER by Janet Fitch and THE INSULT by Rupert Thomson. This list varies often, but the fave stays the same. Sod the restrictions, I'll rebel and also say WEAVEWORLD by Clive Barker, THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING by Milan Kundera, THE RESTRAINT OF BEASTS by Magnus Mills and THE BEACH by Alex Garland. Fave authors include Rupert Thomson, Clive Barker, Jeffrey Deaver... and just to rebel, I'll add Jim Crace, Douglas Coupland, Peter Carey, Milan Kundera, Anne Tyler and Lesley Glaister.
James: Do you have any current writing projects and what are your plans for the immediate future?
Jo: I've got heaps of unfinished stuff now - poems and stories. Saving the book for my retirement ;)
James: Have you ever been published or have you any literary awards/achievements under your belt?
Jo: Nope, it's only in the last month that I've actually sent some stuff off to competitions, etc. I think I'm still finding my feet and believing in myself. Only been writing seriously since last July.
James: Are you an author who has embraced the internet or are you a technophobe?
Jo: I have no idea how I ever managed before the internet!! I am on it constantly all day and at night if I'm not out. I Google just about everything!
James: Finally. If you had control over your future where would you like your life and your writing to be in ten years time?
Jo: In ten years' time, I'll have married Brad Pitt. Fact. We'll have ourselves a couple of sprogs and I'll be able to write all day (in-between the parties, premieres, dirty nappies, etc!).
James: Jo, thank you for your time. It was a pleasure.
Elle Bryant
James: Before we get to deep - tell me a bit about yourself (where you’re from, family, occupation etc)?
Elle: I’m from the
James: How old were you when you first wrote poetry or prose and what inspired you?
Elle: For a long time, I believed that I began writing when I was 14 and inspired by a dream. But this never made sense to me because you don’t begin writing a book without any experience at all. Then during a tidy up I found some of my earlier work. The oldest was a six line story in very large, printed handwriting. I must have written it when I was age 7 because after that I joined my writing up.
James: What was your first story/poem called and what was it about?
Elle: The piece I rediscovered had never been given a title but it was about a dog that kicked a ball at a window and broke it.
James: Do you still have your first written work, or is it lost forever (and if it is lost are you glad it’s gone?)
Elle: I do now. I am pleased that I do have it. It is a VERY bad piece but it’s my first (that I’ve found) attempt at writing and shows that I was write when I thought it odd to begin so suddenly.
James: What inspires you to write today?
Elle: Nature mostly and the things around me. Most of my poetry is nature themed, just simply capturing a passing moment. My book was originally inspired by a dream, but now seems to continue growing.
James: What are your favourite three books and who are your three favourite authors?
Elle: That’s tough. My favourite two authors are JRR Tolkien and Terry Brooks. I’m not sure who a third would. Books – The Lord of the Rings and the Shannara series but I can’t be more exact than that.
James: Do you have any current writing projects and what are your plans for the immediate future?
Elle: My current projects are my science fantasy book and a poetry collection I’m putting together. As for future plans, well I’m a planning a sequel to my science fantasy book and a book charting the history of the world in which they are set.
James: Have you ever been published or have you any literary awards/achievements under your belt?
Elle: I’ve had six poems published in various places as well as one short story and one article. But my main projects are still incomplete.
James: Are you an author who has embraced the internet or are you a technophobe?
Elle: Both. I have found the internet and various sites have given me access to feedback I needed on my work and this has helped me improve and given me access to competitions. But I’m also someone who can really hate technology at times, for instance I will always write with a fountain pen before my works gets anywhere the computer.
James: Finally. If you had control over your future where would you like your life and your writing to be in ten years time?
Elle: Hopefully just to be better than I am now. I don’t see myself as a full time author but I do see myself still writing.
James: Thanks Elle for your time, it was a pleasure.