Everyone else did these ages ago, but I'm behind as usual. Nevertheless...

These questions come from Steph Burgis, who asks:

1) How old were you (and do you remember a specific moment) when you knew you wanted to be a writer?

I know that by the time I was 13 I was sure I was going to be a writer. A friend and I were skipping English class to write a novel (with the teacher’s permission--sadly, something that couldn’t happen now). We’d even asked her if she would help us get it published. She’d said yes, if it was good enough. Okay, we didn’t finish the novel, but I wanted to be a writer. I suspect I must have wanted to before that, but I don’t remember when it first came upon me.

2) What would be your ultimate mix CD of music to listen to while writing fiction?

Now that’s a tough question. To a degree, it depends on my mood and what I’m writing. But it would probably include at least the following:

Paschendale - Iron Maiden
Hallowed be thy Name - Iron Maiden
Precious Jerusalem - Blind Guardian
Nightfall - Blind Guardian
1776 - Iced Earth
Melancholy - Iced Earth
The Spirit - Magnum
Kingdom of Madness - Magnum
Caught Somewhere in Time - Iron Maiden
Sea of Madness - Iron Maiden
Räven - Hedningarna
Täss’on nainen - Hedningarna
If I Ever Leave This World Alive - Flogging Molly
What’s Left of the Flag - Flogging Molly
Powerslave - Iron Maiden
Ghost of the Navigator - Iron Maiden
Children of the Damned - Iron Maiden

That should fill at least one CD.

3) What's your favorite method of writing-avoidance?

The internet. I used to be fond of looking at how long my stories had been out at various markets, but that takes up insufficient time. There is also the “wandering around aimlessly method”.

4) What books do you think have influenced you most as a writer?

I’m not sure if I’m suitably self-aware to know all of the influences that affect my writing. Some books that have directly influenced things I’ve written, though, are:

Lord of the Rings - Tolkien
The Folk Keeper - Franny Billingsley
Kit’s Wilderness - David Almond
Passage - Connie Willis
Lavondyss - Robert Holdstock

A lot of my writing is more influenced by short stories though, as I write more short stories than novels.


5) What would your ideal writing space look like?

A nice, clear desk in front of a window. Outside, grass runs down to trees and a stream. Behind me, there’s a woodburner. The rest of the walls are covered by oak shelves absolutely packed with books. There is no internet connection to my computer.

RULES:
1 - Leave a comment, or send an email, saying you want to be interviewed.
2 - I will respond; I'll ask you five questions.
3 - You'll update your journal with my five questions, and your five answers.
4 - You'll include this explanation.
5 - You'll ask other people five questions when they want to be interviewed