Novelist and
former karate champion Ralph Robb recounts his experiences at one of Europe’s
toughest dojos and provides an insight into the philosophy and training methods
of a club which produced national, European and world titleholders. In a
hard-hitting story, Ralph tells of the fights on and off the mat; his
experiences as one of a very few black residents in an area in which racist
members of the National Front were very active; and the tragic descent into
mental illness and premature death of the training partner who was also his
best friend.
Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Memoirs-Karate-Fighter-Ralph-Robb-ebook/dp/B08X2WB8RT/
US - https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Karate-Fighter-Ralph-Robb-ebook/dp/B08X2WB8RT/
Author Q&A
What would you consider to be your
Kryptonite as an author?
Discipline closely followed by time management. I have
to work hard to maintain the schedules I set myself. With a tendency for
daydreaming, I often find myself drifting away from tasks I’d set out to do.
What fantastical fictional world would you
want to live in (if any) given the chance?
The world I’m in now, is as crazy as any I’d want to
be in. If you would have asked me the same question when I was a child, I would
have instantly replied – The Marvel World. That dominated by superheroes who
wouldn’t exist without the super villains.
Did you want to be an author when you grew
up?
Hell no. That occupation could not have been further
from my mind. It wasn’t until quite late in life that I became seriously
involved in writing. And that was only at the behest of a friend who I had sent
a few short funny stories. He encouraged me to put pen to paper and later
became my editor.
What is your most unusual writing
quirk?
I sometimes make notes on scrap pieces of paper and
stuff them into my pockets. By the end of the week, I’d have pockets full of
paper that I would have to piece together to decipher. Even though, I carry a
notebook when ever possible, I sometimes catch myself reverting to the scrap
paper in the pocket method.
What’s one movie you like recommending to
others?
Godfather - I & II
What is the first book that made you cry?
I’ve read books
that have moved me but not to the point of making me cry. Now, movies are another matter, where than
confounded fly, would find it’s way to my eyes.
How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
Way too long!
Particularly when you have other interests and have to hold down a full-time
job. When pushed, there’s always a risk of taking short cuts and forwarding
work that’s not completely finished, particularly when shooting for a deadline.
Thankfully I have an excellent editor who happens to be a close friend,
brutally honest; he would certainly let me know of any such shortcomings.
How do you select the names of your characters?
I try
to select names that support the characters personality, which can at times
point me to historical references, like the bible for example. The goal is for
the name to be memorable and meaningful to the reader. Whenever possible, I try
to avoid stereotypical names and names of people I know.
What creature do you consider your "spirit
animal" to be?
My wife is a very spiritual person who meditates on a daily basis. Knowing
nothing about totem animals, I had to ask for her guidance. She quickly
directed me to a meditation that would reveal my totem animal. Low and behold,
a water buffalo appeared!
What are your top 5 favorite movies?
Here’s six, in no particular order. - Matrix, Godfather 1&2, Raging Bull, Lord
of the Rings (series), Black Panther and Ex Machina.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Don’t be frightened to ask for guidance. There’s a
multitude of sites out there that offer great information for the beginner. One
such site that comes to mind is ‘20 Books To 50K’.
Get organized, find your own feet, persevere,
and enjoy what you do.
What book do you wish you had written?
While I would certainly love to have the talent of
many of the authors whose work I’ve read, I don’t think there’s a book written
by someone else that I wish I had written. I do wish I had the time to write down
all of the ideas that I have in my head!
Tell us 10 fun facts about yourself!
Struggling with this question I decided to ask my
wife, which came up with the following answers. (I now fear I’m going to be
portrayed as some sort of nut.
He has three toothbrushes, that all have their own
‘job’.
He won’t wash his hands in the kitchen sink.
Sports fan, in particularly MMA and Rugby.
Loves potatoes with everything.
Loves learning about cars.
Sometimes orders a beer and a cocktail together!!!!
Drinking them at the same time!!!
Has crippling anxiety relating to picking up dog
poop… or so he wants me to believe.
He has a wicked sweet tooth – loves English Jelly
Babies.
Will not eat lamb chops or chicken wings with his
fingers.
Can be a reclusive.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Crime Thrillers and Mysteries.
When did you write your first book?
I wrote my first book back in 19xx
What sparks your creativity/how do you get
your ideas?
Ideas pop into my head at the most random of times. Often
while asleep, hence the notebook on the bedside table, without which the idea
would be forgotten by the morning.
Do you listen to music when writing?
All depends what mood I’m in and the type of music.
Sometimes the music can become a distraction, especially when I start bopping
to a tune.
Would you ever write under a pseudonym?
For a while I did write under the pseudonym of
Sylvester Young. Then when I decided to re-release some of my past books, I
decided to go with my real name.
Do you have a favorite food/snack/drink
when writing (or anytime)?
Nothing but the occasional cup of tea. Even then I
would take a break to kick back and just drink the tea.
What’s one thing you’d like to say to your
readers?
Thank you for
reading my book. I hope you enjoyed them and I would appreciate any feedback
you may have!
Author Bio
– Ralph Robb was born and raised in the
industrial town of Wolverhampton, England and now lives in Ontario Canada with
his wife, cat and dog. A proud father of four, Robb works as an engineering
technician and loves rugby, martial arts and a good book. His world is balanced
by quality TV, global events, great outdoors and of course his grand-daughter.
Social
Media Links –
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RalphRobbBooks
Twitter: @RalphSRobb
Webpage: www.ralphrobb.com
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