Author Interview With Stephen Faulds
This interview is with Stephen Faulds, author of ‘Ian’s Story’ and many other titles.So, what exactly do you write?
I write fiction in a variety of genres including satirical science fiction, adult literary fiction, fantasy, young adult fiction, children’s stories and stage scripts.
How would you describe yourself in a short third person bio?
Stephen Faulds is an English Teacher whose real job is getting up at 5.00am to write novels before he goes to school. He loves teaching but his real mission in life is to write.
What made you initially want to write? Has your motivation changed since then?
At the age of twelve I started writing poems to document events in my life. Before long I was writing to make sense of life and that has been the driving motivation since. I don’t understand things until I write them down.
What do you think is the most important part of writing?
The fifth draft.
What is your favourite part of writing?
Those moments when I am writing on the crest of a wave of inspiration. Second to that, the final draft when I am ready to let someone else read it.
Tell us an interesting fact about you.
I tried several times to give up writing but I eventually realized I am addicted to it.
Do you have a day-job, (other than writing)?
I am a High School English teacher. I was a Drama teacher for many years.
Are you an indie author, or did you get your work published the ‘traditional’ way?
I am self-published through amazon and smashwords. I tried for many years to find a publisher who believed in my work. Now I no longer seek publishers. I seek readers.
Tell us a little about your novel, ‘Ian’s Story’.A disturbing split narrative tale about the human spirit versus the power of shame, despair and grief.
A former pastor, working as a social worker in an institution for emotionally disturbed adolescents and caring for his wife who suffers from bipolar disorder. An unrequited infatuation for a young occupational therapist leads him to violate his own moral boundaries with disastrous but liberating consequences.
Which projects are you working on at the moment?
A stage play about an Australian business man meeting the ghost of Indian philosopher J Krishnamurti in a New Delhi bar.
Sequels to my novels Sinkronisity and An Eventful Year in the Life History of Norbett Thickle.
How do you come up with the titles for your books? And do you have the final title before completing your book, or after?
Every novel is different. Some of my working titles have survived, others have been replaced at the very moment of publication.
How has writing changed your life?
It has taken me on some interesting vicarious journeys.
Where do you get inspiration for writing from? Do you listen to music whilst writing or have a ‘writing cave’?Inspiration has some direct entry point at the top of my head. I don’t know where it comes from or why.
Is there a particular form, style or genre that you’d like to have a go at writing? Why?
Screenplay, because it translates into something very big.
Favourite book and/or author(s)?
Salman Rushdie, Peter Carey, JRR Tokein, Terry Pratchett, TH White, Jack Kerouac, Douglas Adams, William Horwood, AS Byatt and Arundhati Roy.
Do you think it’s necessary to have a degree (of any sort) in order to be a successful author?
Henry Lawson certainly didn’t. No, of course not. Writers should learn from the university of life and the works of great writers.
What would you say to those who want to become a writer? Any advice?
In the words of another writer: ‘Never, ever, ever, ever, ever give up.’ If you do then there is no other advice that will help.
LINKS
