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Genre: Horror, Supernatural, Anthology Publisher: Troubador Publication Date: February 19, 2016 Pages: 144 Add to GoodReads Synopsis The ‘Wakeful Children’ anthology by S P Oldham showcases eleven short tales of the horror and supernatural genre. There’s something for everyone’s taste here, providing you are looking for a scare! Ranging from the mildly spooky to the outright graphic and gory, these highly original, imaginative stories, finely scattered with a touch of dark humour, are definitely not for children. Grown-ups only please, though be warned, even you may want to keep the lights on whilst reading... via goodreads About the Author S P Oldham: I live in the Sirhowy Valley in beautiful South Wales, UK. I have been writing stories and poetry since childhood. My first success was a poem called ‘Pegasus’ which I was thrilled to have accepted for publication by the village newspaper at the age of 12. Since then I have been published in various anthologies, calendars and eZines, greetings cards and other media, as well as having a short story broadcast on Rutland Radio’s Sunday Night Story. I only ventured into the world of Self-Publishing in February 2015. I write primarily in the Horror and Speculative Fiction/ Supernatural genre. I currently have five horror fiction books available on Amazon and am in the process of writing a sixth. Connect with the author Interview Where do you get your ideas for your books? Who or what inspired your idea?
SPO: The inspiration for my stories comes from all sorts of places, often unexpected and sometimes unexplained. It can come from an overheard snippet of conversation, something I have seen in passing and so on. A good example is an especially vivid dream which became 'Sleep, Think, Die,' a story about the zombie apocalypse. This story ended up being a trilogy. Another example is when I overheard a young child mispronouncing 'Madagascar' as 'Mad Gasher.' He became a prominent character in the first book of the trilogy. How did you develop the plot and your characters? Are your characters based on anyone? SPO: I try not to base my characters on people, although I may borrow a trait or a characteristic. I often think that writers subconsciously create characters that my be based in part on 'real' people. Speaking for myself, I don't do this deliberately. Do you write when you're inspired? Or do you have a schedule you keep to? SPO: I write when I am inspired, in the main. This can often mean in the wee small hours, when everyone else is asleep. I know this is a cliche but in my case, for reasons I won't bore you with here, it is true! Usually with my little Cocker Spaniel for company. The only schedules I have to keep are self-imposed in the main. I try to be disciplined but it is not always easy! Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? Maybe a piece of advice that stuck with you from your adventure into the world of publishing? SPO: Don't give up! Learn from your mistakes, take on board constructive criticism and professional advice whenever you are fortunate enough to receive it, and learn from it. Don't let the detractors and nay-sayers stop you. No matter the size of your audience, just keep writing. And keep reading too - it helps enormously and you learn so much without even realising it. Plus of course, it is thoroughly enjoyable. Tell us a bit more about yourself. How did you know you wanted to be a writer? Who or what inspires you to write? SPO: Another cliche coming up, but again, it is true. I have always had the desire to write. Ever since I was a very small child, I was writing little stories and poems, and I just kept on doing it. The older I got, the more I wrote (when other commitments allowed) and the more willing I became to share it with audiences other than my family. I have learned a tremendous amount in the process and I am still learning. How much of yourself goes into your writing? Or do you keep yourself separate and base the character on someone else entirely? SPO: In terms of passion, intention and a desire to tell the story, I put a lot of myself into my writing. However, I don't believe I have ever based any character upon myself. I prefer to keep them at arms length, so to speak, so that I can observe their actions and dialogue and 'keep it real' as far as is possible. I don't necessarily base my characters on anyone, at least not knowingly, though I borrow certain traits, I am sure. What has helped shape and improve your writing? SPO: Practice! Just keep writing, keep reading, be willing to accept that you are not perfect and that you make mistakes, some of them so glaringly obvious you feel like banging the keyboard off your head, others that only those in the know can spot and if you are lucky, they will point out to you. Be open to feedback, both good and bad, be prepared to learn from it but don't allow yourself to be so changed as a writer that you no longer recognise yourself or your story. What are you reading right now? Do you recommend it or have any other recommendations? SPO: I have just finished reading The Falcon of Sparta by Conn Iggulden. I would recommend any of his work to lovers of historical fiction, especially the Conqueror series depicting the life of Genghis Khan. Excellent writing and a thoroughly absorbing read. Do your novels carry a message or do you feel it's subjective? SPO: I never intentionally write a message into my work, so it always fascinates me when readers find one anyway. That is the beauty of creative writing, in particular poetry - it allows the reader to interpret it as they may. Wonderful! What works best for you: Typewriters, fountain pen, dictate, computer or longhand? SPO: All of the above, with the exception of dictation. I need to see the written words on the page as I go along. Dictation has its place, but it is not what I would naturally revert to. I do the bulk of my writing on the keyboard, but now and then I need to do things the old-fashioned way and put pen to paper. It is useful to keep a pen and pad close to hand, to jot down those unexpected ideas that just form in your head out of nowhere, too. For instance, at 2 am or when you are staring out of the bus window... Thank you to S P Oldham for kindly providing us with this awesome interview!- Leticia
1 Comment
Wendy Mitchell
1/25/2019 11:16:47 am
A very informative interview S P Oldham. Thank you Leticia. Good questions and very interesting answers S P Oldham.
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