Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Hi Fiona.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

My name is Richard M. Ankers and I’m older than I look and younger than I feel.

 

Fiona: Where are you from?

East Yorkshire in England

 

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I’m married with four fish. School was so long ago that not only did I want to forget it but have. (I did not like school!)

 

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I always have lots of news these days but my latest would be the third and last book in The Eternals Series, Into Eternity, being about to go on sale. I am literally waiting for the date from my publisher. I have also finished my next novel, Britannia Unleashed, which is an Alternate History/Steampunk adventure and am about to start the long process of writing freely for the first time after three years of continual editing. The Theatre of the Moon Trilogy will flow from the pages of Britannia Unleashed and I cannot wait to get going.

 

 
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always written but have suffered from a chronic lack of self-confidence. Terribly so. It wasn’t until I plucked up the courage to post work on HarperCollins’ now defunct Authonomy author site, where I won a Gold Medal, that I realised people liked my work.

 

 
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I think when I was first published in a book was when it hit home. I got told anyone could be a writer but you would never be an author until you sold your work. I’ve now sold lots of work so consider myself an author.

 

 
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

The death of a friend inspired me to not waste what talent I had. From that moment on I became a different person and wrote, wrote, wrote. I gave up my job and the rest is history.

 

 

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

The first book I wrote won me my Gold Medal and was called The Snow Lily (one I will one day rewrite and release). The central figure was a child called Lily and the book was predominantly set in the winter hence the title.

 

 
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I don’t find any genre challenging. If I want to write something a certain way, I do. Simple as that really. As regards a style, I would leave that for others to state. Perhaps, dreamy, but then I am a dreamer.

 

 
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

I write mostly Fantasy. None of it’s real, it comes from in my head.

 

 
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

I can’t afford to travel, but have been to some wonderful places in the past. If you’ve  an imagination that should be all you need.

 

 
Fiona: Who designed the covers?

A company called The Cover Collection have done all The Eternals Series.

 

 

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. Time is short and happiness is more important than anything else.

 

 
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

My favourite author is Michael Moorcock. I love all his books. Haruki Murakami runs a close second. Of new authors, Erin Morgenstern (The Night Circus).

 

 
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Not many know. I’m intensely private.

 

 
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

It is my career and always will be now.

 

 
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Just writing it about twenty years earlier.

 

 
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

I learnt lots from the editing side, but the actual writing comes naturally.

 

 

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Possibly Tom Hiddleston for the lead and Emma Watson for the Nordic Princess Aurora.

 

 
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Write what you want how you want and don’t cater for others.

 

 
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I hope you continue to enjoy my writing. Simple as that really.

 

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I’m reading a new Sherlock Holmes book called Art in the Blood by Bonnie MacBird. (It’s appropriate to the time period I’m writing in).

 

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. (I still love it).

 

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Littering! I hate people littering. Daft things make me laugh.

 

 

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

No. I’m easy going. I meet who I meet and don’t who I don’t.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Running.

 

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

The Simpsons. The Big Bang Theory and I used to love Friends.

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Favourite food: Clear Honey.

Favourite colour: Jet Black.

Favourite music: I like everything from classical to rock.

 

 

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Cry.

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

A dirty Limerick or nothing at all.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

My blog/website is richardankers.com

My Facebook Author page is https://www.facebook.com/richardmankers (I’d love to see folk there).

Amazon authors  page

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Richard-M.-Ankers/e/B01GEM7690/?tag=creati0a5-20

https://www.amazon.com/Richard-M.-Ankers/e/B01GEM7690/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1494079219&sr=1-2-ent

Thank you very much for the questions, Fiona.

I hate taking about myself, but that was painless.

 

Richard