Name SJ Smith
Age 40
Where are you from I live in a small town in North Wales
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc I’m happily married, we live in a nice house in a small town, with our greyhound.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
My first novel is being released at the end of June, which is a dream come true. To say I’m buzzing is an understatement.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. I loved writing stories as a kid and as I got older it didn’t ever stop.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’m still struggling with telling people I’m a writer – it’s a sort of secret hobby I always had that I didn’t really like talking about.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
I always loved reading, so writing was the next logical step. I love getting lost in a story, be it someone else’s or one of my own. I’d knocked out two novels before I was twenty.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I try to keep it realistic and create characters who are plausible, and who have both positive and negative aspects to their personalities. There also tends to be quite a deep vein of sarcasm running through everything I write – I like injecting a little humor no matter how dark the subject matter.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I think I knew the title before I had any idea of what the story was going to be about. I wanted to write something seedy and voyeuristic, so ‘Peeper’ seemed logical.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Not really. I concentrated more on plot and character development than any kind of moralizing this time around.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
Hopefully it is entirely realistic. That was one of the parameters I set for myself when I started – this book had to have one foot in the real world at all times, no matter how crazy the goings on got.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Good lord no. Everyone in the book is entirely a figment of my imagination.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
In my early life I read a lot of fantasy, largely for the escapism aspect. I went through the usual Tolkien fixation, then moved onto Clive Barker and Stephen King. As I got older I started to enjoy more realistic books and began reading a lot of crime and social commentary type stuff.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
I’m ashamed to say I haven’t read anything in over a year – I’ve been too busy with other stuff. I have the new James Ellroy and Irvine Welsh novels sat on my shelf ready to begin, but have yet to pick them up.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
As I say, I’ve not read anything for over a year. It’s a terrible thing to admit, but it’s true.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I’m one of those people who start lots of things but rarely seem to finish them. I’ve got two unfinished novels to work on, plus about a million other things. I’m on a bit of a creative high at the moment, so everything is a whirlwind of ideas, schemes and plans.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
I’ve had some support and encouragement through the publishing process. One or two people have said some really nice things about my work, which inspires me to carry on and have a little confidence in what I’m doing.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
I’m hoping it will become one.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
There was a joke that got cut out after the first draft I wish I had left in.
Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I’m a creative person, so writing is one of several outlets. I’m also pretty reclusive and antisocial, so it fits in with my lifestyle pretty well.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I’m working on an epic odyssey about a perverted afterlife.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Disciplining myself to sit down and get on with finishing it. I enjoy the storytelling aspect, so the first draft is usually very easy. It’s the editing where I struggle as by the time the first draft is done I’ve had some other idea and want to move onto something else.
Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I love reading Hunter Thompson’s stuff, because it’s so insane and honest and funny.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
No. I’m a stay at home kind of guy.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
The cover of Peeper was done by Creative Paramita. I have to say, they’ve done an incredible job.
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Finishing it.
Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I learned that if I stay focused and keep going that I can actually finish a novel.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep at it and work hard. Don’t send your first draft of your first chapter off to a publisher thinking you’re a genius for writing five pages – the real work has barely started.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for buying my book.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I remember having Watership Down read to me as a kid. I always loved that book.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
I have a particularly absurd sense of humor. As for crying, it’s been a pretty grueling few years in the emotional stakes – lots of friends gone.
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
Not really. Every time I meet one of my heroes they seem to hate me on sight. I met a famous rugby player a couple of years back and he swore at me.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why ?
Maybe something obscene. I like to shock people.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
Anything creative. I play several instruments and enjoy painting and designing stuff.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I’ve recently gotten into Netflix, so I’ve stopped watching normal TV. I watched the Battlestar Galactica boxset, which I loved. I’m currently watching Heroes again.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
I’m a total food snob and like cooking proper meals. I love Italian and Thai food. Favourite colour is red. I like all different types of music, but my favourite band of all time is Pink Floyd.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
It would be nice to make money from playing the guitar.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
http://sjsmithrants.blogspot.co.uk/
Amazon Page http://www.amazon.co.uk/SJ-Smith/e/B00MOOA7MQ/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1/277-8004896-9874101
Peeper is now due for release at the end of June. We will be having a launch party here on Facebook, to which you are all cordially invited.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1620148454892843/
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