Why do you write?
I could say something to make you groan here, like: I write because I live. But that would be a crock of minced insects. Honestly I think I write to show off. If nobody read it I wouldn't bother. That's not to say I don't love words, I do, but that probably wouldn't get me writing novels all by itself, that might get me writing the odd poem.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
I mostly don't enjoy it! I mostly suffer writing, and frankly I think it suffers me in return. On occasion, I write a few lines that come together like pieces in a jigsaw and I think – in hindsight – I enjoyed that. It's rare though, and that's odd because I've been writing since I was a teenager even though it's a chore. Crikey, think about that; a quarter of a century making yourself do something you don't really enjoy very much. I must be bloody stupid.
What motivates you to write?
I remember reading that rather than wanting to be a writer, most people want to have-been writers. I think that's what I want – I don't really want to spend the time writing, I want it all to be finished so I can point at my work and say, “Hey look, I did that,” and everybody can stare and say, “Wow, that's amazing!” Shallow, I know.
What writing are you most proud of?
As a technology journalist I wrote a few pieces for the UK's Guardian. It's a world-famous newspaper with an excellent reputation and I'm proud to have made it into its hallowed sheets.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
No doubt here, my children. Frankly it's not much to do with me, but I still try to scrape some credit for them!
What books did you love growing up?
So many books... this question is just too hard. But if I have to name some then here goes: Watership Down was the longest book I'd ever read, and it wasn't long enough. I stared at the cover for hours after I'd finished longing for another chapter to magically appear. I read all the Asterix books dozens of times and never failed to titter at all the word plays and ridiculous character traits --- I know some of you are shouting that they aren't really books, and you're probably right – but luckily I'm the one answering the questions.
Who is your favorite author?
I really struggle to answer this one now. When I was younger I'd have shouted James Herbert back at you before you'd finished the question, but now I'm older, wiser (some say not), and believe you cannot compare apples with bingo halls. Herbert is just one of my lifetime favourites, in a list that includes Dickens, Iain Banks, Steinbeck, Azimov and Ian McEwan
What book should everybody read at least once?
Well this is easy. Everybody should read Generation by yours truly – at least once. Now I suppose I have to justify that brazen piece of self publicity. Err... Well, it's got something for everybody, science for nerds, thrills for chiler fans, medicine for hypochondriacs, a rich seam of irony and will make you think about your own mortality (that's if you need a dose of reality because your head is too big or because you are naturally introspective.)
Are there any books you really don’t enjoy?
This is really hard to admit, but I mostly struggle with anything that has won the Booker prize. I'd love to come across as intellectual, witty and literary but those books bore me. It's awful, isn't it. I'm supposed to be a writer and appreciate great prose as judged by incredibly clever people, but anything deemed to be worthy normally sends me to sleep.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
Died suddenly aged 120 playing strip scrabble with beautiful women. (Which he was winning)
A man emerges from the sodden undergrowth, lost, lonely and starving he is mown down by a speeding car on the edge of a remote forest.
Rumours of ghostly apparitions haunt a rural Northumberland community.
A renowned forensic research establishment is troubled by impossible results and unprecedented interference from an influential drug company.
Hendrix 'Aitch' Harrison is a tech-phobic journalist who must link these events together.
Normally side-lined to investigate UFOs and big-beast myths, but thrust into world of cynical corporate motivations, Hendrix is aided by a determined and ambitious entomologist. Together they delve into a grisly world of clinical trials and a viral treatment beyond imagining.
In a chase of escalating dangers, Aitch must battle more than his fear of technology to expose the macabre fate of the drugged victims donated to scientific research.
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre – Crime, Thriller, Horror
Rating – R-16
More details about the author
Website http://www.williamknight.info
No comments:
Post a Comment