Currently...

I'm now working on a really gripping interview, one that is so strewn with pitfalls that one feels like you're walking through a minefield. It's a story that needs to be told, however, and one that I know I will look back on for years to come.

There is so much feature work coming up and I love it. I wonder sometimes how I found myself so involved in this area and I feel so frustrated that I can't speak more openly about my projects. But I'm a staunch believer in the writer's age old fear of never discussing your work before it's written, as you will lose the ideas and feeling for it; rather like watching a flower wither and die.

I'm also putting together a collection of my short stories. This is something that I have thought of doing for a very long time. Much has been published in a variety of markets, from the web to small press, at home and overseas. I strongly feel that short fiction, once published, shouldn't be simply abandoned. It should be picked up later on and dusted off. Perhaps rewritten and (copyright depending) sent out to publishers again, so that people who missed them the first time can discover them and hopefully look for more of your work. Success in the field of short fiction can lead to success in longer works. Well, here's hoping.

New Writers And The EBook

I'm absolutely delighted to see the first part of one of my interviews with Dan Witters up on the Professional Writing website. I got a lot out of this article and I believe it shows that there is indeed hope for the new writer in today's market and also the way ahead with EBooks.

If anyone would like to take a peep you can find this at:
www.profwriting.com/articles/new-writers-and-ebook

What a great fortnight!

I heard yesterday that the four interviews I have written over the past few weeks have all been accepted for the March issue of Combat. These were with Sammo Hung, Darren Shahlavi, Donnie Yen and Michael Jai White. I'm delighted for many reasons, not just for the acceptances sake (although it's always a delight to hear that your work has been taken) but the fact that they were taken by Combat and it was well worth staying up until well gone midnight and then getting up again at 3.30am to ensure that I hit the deadline!

Combat is the magazine that I first started writing for way back in 1984, whilst based in Hong Kong. I have written for them on and off over the years. I will be forever grateful to the editor, Paul Clifton, for having faith in me and giving me the chance to interview these amazing people and to further my writing career.

I'm still waiting to hear back regarding my series of three articles on digital publishing for another market but I have to say that working on these has really opened my eyes to how the market is changing and how it affects the new writer. The constant ebb and flow of the publishing world can easily deter even the most seasoned scribe and I believe that the information contained in these features will give many despairing writers hope and a realisation that, despite all, there is a growing market for our work.

Darren Shahlavi Interview

After a catastrophic technical issue caused problems with our interview on Friday I was absolutely delighted when Darren Shahlavi called me again on Saturday and we re-did the whole interview. No only does this show that Darren is a superbly talented actor but also a thoroughly nice guy!

Very easy to talk to Darren expanded on his entry into the martial arts film industry and the roles in which he has played. We discussed his most recent role as the menacing 'Twister' Milos in 'Ip Man 2' and his many stunt roles in such films as '300'.

I just have to write the interview up now. Cut off for the magazine is Tuesday at the latest, so I need to crack on.