Interview with Alan Garner

CA: Alan, Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to interview this week. I hope a little bit of Kentucky seeps its way into Auckland, New Zealand *grins*!!

Author Pen Name: Alan J. Garner

CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?

AG: Oddly enough, that’s a tricky question. My publisher, Deb Staples, has me under the heading Science Fiction, but I prefer my own label of Science Fantasy. I take the best elements out of both fields (sci-fi machinery & fantasy magic) and mix them up with my own brand of humor.
The type of stories I write, from my novels right through down to my short stories, are all about escapism, the same reason people go to the movies: to flee the mundane. It’s all about being transported to another time and place, where hope exists and the good guys always defeat the baddies…eventually.

CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

AG: Not until my mid twenties. I originally wanted to be a cartoonist, and indeed became published in my regional daily newspaper. Then I progressed onto writing & illustrating children’s picture books, none of which made it into print. I had a hankering to write my first novel, but stayed undecided for ages. Fortunately, my wife made up my mind for me! At her urging I wrote (and rewrote) The Chosen One and got well and truly hooked. Although I haven’t completely forsaken the drawing side of my talent and keep my hand in designing my own book covers, for better or worse!

CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?

AG: Looking back on my childhood and sounding terribly clichéd, reading my father’s single volume copy of The Lord of the Rings at a tender age sparked my love of reading. But my interest in writing stems from Terry Brooks and his fantastic The Sword of Shannara, in many respect a latter day LOTR. Immersing myself in his exquisitely constructed world kindled in me a desire to create solely using the written, as opposed to the drawn, line.

CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

AG: Working my day job as a foreman painter/decorator in order to pay the usual bills kind of restricts the time I can spend tapping the keys. Since I’m normally up at sparrow’s fart (Kiwi slang for ‘before dawn’) I have a burst of creativity prior to leaving for work. Then my nose is back to the grindstone when I come home, remaining there until I scoot off to bed. I set myself a daily page target and try to achieve that, if the muse isn’t on vacation!

CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?

AG: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

CA: LOL that’s the first for someone to use that word here!

CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?

AG: Finding the time. When growing up my mother often said to me “There aren’t enough hours in the day!” I didn’t truly know what she meant until I took up writing.

CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

AG: Nothing very original. Books are my number one passion (after my wife, of course!), so I’ve usually got my head buried in a favorite author’s novel or I’m busy researching various subjects in my ever expanding reference library. I do take time off to watch movies however: I’m a sucker for a well crafted action movie.

CA: How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

AG: Four (three published and one pending), with the fifth book a few chapters away from completion. The Chosen One will always remain my firm favorite, not only because it was the first book published, but because it was the first novel I actually finished. But I’m equally proud of the two sequels, Chosen Too and Three Times Chosen.

CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?

AG: Bit of both really. I drew heavily from people I know for characters in my first book, but in later stories I’ve branched out and created personalities from scratch.

CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

AG: Don’t let anybody say you can’t write. The best way to gain experience is to get stuck in and do it. I’m put in mind of a good adage: Don’t let a single day go by without writing. Even if it’s garbage, if garbage is all you can write, write it. Garbage eventually becomes compost with a little treatment.

CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?

AG: For eBooks, go to my publisher’s website www.synergebooks.com or
www.writeronlinebooks.com
www.amazon.com/books
www.fictionwise.com

The Chosen One remains available in print form at www.nationwidebooks.co.nz

To get in touch with me personally, please leave a message at www.authorsden.com/alanjgarner or visit me at www.myspace.com/kwikfoot

I enjoy receiving feedback from my readers and fellow authors. I’m also working on getting my own website up and running one day soon!

CA: Is there anything you would like to add?

AG: Cursed with my mother’s feet and father’s stammer, I feel blessed to be able to express myself and diminish my physical limitations through writing.
Thanks heaps for the interview, Crystal. I hope I didn’t waffle on too much. You’re a real sweetheart.

CA: Alan, nope you didn’t waffle me but that does sound really good right about now ;) I am glad that nothing has stopped you from writing, now just don’t ever give up! And you’re a sweetie too, thanks so much again!!! Hugs, Crystal