Author Interview with Neil Walters

I was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, but have lived the majority of my life in the West Country.

I have always loved writing in one form or another, whether for my children, Grandchildren, or myself. I also write lyrics as I play in a couple of bands.

• Q1 What are your favourite books?:

  Anything by Stephen King.
  W

• Q2 What did you have for breakfast?:

  Toast normally, though porridge in the winter

• Q3 Your favourite genre?:

  Tough.....Too many tonpin one down

• Q4 Your shoe size?:

  10-11

• Q5 Why do you write?:

  Personal pleasure mainly, and for my children and grandchildren

• Q6 Did you enjoy english classes at school?:

  Absolutely...and the homework. Weird eh?

• Q7 What inspired your story?:

  Many things as it is a collection of short stories. Ideas come from the strangest places

• Q8 If you were to write a fictional story about your life, would you make yourself a hero or a villain?:

  Definitely a villain....but with a noble cause (lol)

• Q9 Where do you write?:

  At home

• Q10 What do you find inspiring about Cornwall?:

  It's independence

• Q11 What do you love most about writing?:

  Getting a good reaction from my friends and family, and just pouring my ideas onto the page

• Q12 How do you think Cornwall has shaped your writing?:

  I wouldn't say that it has shaped my writing at all. I think that you can be creative wherever you live

• Q13 What do you think influenced your latest story?:

  Many things, as I say, it is a collection. Two examples are a real life WWII bunker in Yorkshire with a wicked past, and a driving job I had

• Q14 If you were a cartoon character, who would you be and why?:

  Spiderman....he was always so cool. There is a story in my book entitled "Spiderman takes a holiday". I am not a Marvel or DC fan in general, as you will find out if you read it.

• Q15 What is your ‘signature’ meal/dish?:

  Pizza

• Q16 When did your love of writing start?:

  I used to copy from books and use my Mum's old typewriter from as far back as I can remember

• Q17 What advice would you give to a budding author?:

  Write about what you know....and throw in a twist

• Q18 Do you have a pet?:

  Two dogs

• Q19 If you were an animal, what would you be and why?:

  Hedgehog....simply my favourite animal

• Q20 Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what's getting your fingers moving at the mo?:

  I don't listen whilst I write, I need silence, but I listen to a LOT of music....I also play it as a drummer in two bands