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1. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Just keep writing, keep reading, believe in your work – and get as much experience of human nature as you can. You don’t know as much as you think you do!
2. Favorite childhood memory involving books?
I was a huge fan of the library, and I devoured the William
books by Richmal Crompton, the Jennings books by Anthony Buckeridge and
the Doctor Who novelisations. I’ve talked about them all on my YouTube
channel!
3. What fantastical fictional world would you want to live in
(if any) given the chance?
I always rather liked the utopian Culture in the Iain M Banks
novels, but I would also like to explore (maybe not live in!) Middle Earth and
the solar system of The Expanse (although one’s life expectancy there
seems rather slim!).
4. Did you want to be an author when you grew up?
Absolutely. I was set on it from about the age of 5 or 6, and
was always writing little ‘books’ on exercise-book paper. Some were in the form
of comics, but I soon realised I could not draw. I looked at the names on the
books I owned and the books I got from the library, and decided I wanted to be
like these people – having writing as a job! As a teenager I got hold of
Michael Legat’s legendary books on writing and my first ever Writers’ and
Artists’ Yearbook, which began to open my eyes to the professional side of
writing.
5. Have you ever met anyone famous?
Several Doctor Whos, who are all splendid fellows, and
assorted companions. A few singers and musicians just to chat to briefly, all
nice people. Various actors and other writers at conventions, etc. Just people
doing a job!
6. If you were the last
person on Earth, what would you do?
Look for a way off…
7. Do you have any advice
for aspiring writers?
Read widely, even in genres
you may not like – you can learn from everything. Even if you read a bad book,
it will help with your writing – realising what ‘bad’ is, and how it could be
better, is enormously helpful in your writing process.
8. What book do you wish you
had written?
Many, but one from the last
10 years which stands out is Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.
9. What’s a typical writing day like for you?
I try to do something first thing in the morning, which
usually ends up being admin – emails or similar. I always give myself a break
for Ken Bruce’s Popmaster at 10.30am! I don’t have a set number of words to do
every day or week, but I do admire people who can do this. A few summers ago I
experimented with getting up really early to write (5am), seeing if the early
light helped, but it didn’t – I am just not a morning person at all! I often
get more done very late at night.
10. If you had to pick a celebrity to cast for your main
character, who would it be?
When I first started writing Exiles, Kaya Scodelario
would have been ideal for Beth, but she’s a woman in her late 20s now, so
things have moved on! I would have to take advice from the younger people in my
family. I’m sure they could recommend someone.
11. Would you ever write under a pseudonym?
I have written as Dan Roberts, and would consider doing so
again.
12. What’s one thing you’d like to say to your readers?
Thank you very much for reading my books. I know it is very
hard to keep up with everything that’s out there, and writers really appreciate
the support!
Author Bio
He is the author of several novels for children and adults, as well as a writer of non-fiction on subjects as diverse as popular music, politics, collecting gadgets and games, parenting and the history of robotics. He has written several of the official Doctor Who books licensed by the BBC, including Autonomy. Daniel's first book with a teenage narrator was The Cut, which was followed by further novels Losing Faith and This is the Day. In 2012 his first supernatural fantasy novel for young readers, Shadow Runners, was published. Emerald Greene and the Witch Stones (for age 9-12) was published in 2015 and a sequel Emerald Greene: Instruments of Darkness in 2017. He has written shorter 'reluctant reader' books called New Dawn, I Spy (nominated for the Leicester Reading Rampage Award 2018), Fascination, Kill Order, Hope and Truth and Kiss the Sky.
Daniel has worked as a visiting author in over 400 schools, and has taught on the MA in Creative Writing at Sheffield Hallam University. He now mentors, advises and edits writers of all ages through Cornerstones UK and the Faber Academy and is a regular judge on the Novel Slam for the 'Off The Shelf' festival. Daniel lives in the Peak District, with his wife and their two student children.
Follow him at:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielblythewriter/
Twitter : https://twitter.com/danblythewriter
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/danblythewriter/
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