Writer, Dreamer, Geek
About Me
It's always difficult to write about yourself, isn't it? Ah well, here goes.
Growing Up
I was raised on the mean streets of Wombwell in South Yorkshire, here in the UK.
As with many writers, as a young boy, I'd forever be starting writing projects, whether it be drawing and compiling an encyclopaedia of aliens or writing Doctor Who mysteries for Ace and the Doctor to solve.
I've grown up now, but I still love Doctor Who and periodically try to convert my two lovely daughters into being fans of the classic series, although I've not managed it yet.
Early Career
It wasn't until 2013 that I took my writing seriously, though. I joined my local writing group and completed my first NaNoWriMo that year, writing a story that vented my frustrations about my day job.
Through the writing group, I found new friends whom I teamed up with to compile multiple collections of short stories under the banner of The Monday Knights (because we met on a Monday, duh!) They were never going to get widespread success, because we never marketed them, but it was fun while it lasted and it helped me with my writing a lot.
Dark Worlds and Dreamscapes
Nowadays, I focus on writing novels. I've produced three finished works, with more on the way, and I'm looking for representation so that at least one of them will see the light of day.
My writing is typically varied, and whilst I read epic fantasy for fun, I feel pulled far more towards writing supernatural thrillers. Some might call them urban fantasy, but I don't see it that way myself, as they don't contain the usual suspects of werewolves, vampires or faeries. I'm far more inspired by people like Clive Barker, Stephen King, Joe Hill, Dean Koontz, Brian Lumley, Michael Crichton, and Blake Crouch.
If you want to know the style of worlds I like to craft, go at take in stories like The Crow, Highlander, The Outsider, Wayward Pines, Hellraiser, NOS4A2, 3x3 Eyes, and Tokyo Ghoul.
Hobbies and interests
If you go to Eastercon, Fantasy Con, or WorldCon (when it comes to the UK), you will see me hanging out at the bar, joining in with panels and probably doing a bad rendition of Lynrd Skynrd on the Karaoke.
In my free time, I love to take part in living history, and I'm a member of the US 1st Infantry Division Living History Group. I tour the UK, showing people exactly what life was like for the American Soldier in 1944-45, and now and again I get to ride on the back of a half track, screaming with joy as 50cal blank rounds explode into the air, and the brass casings pepper my head!
I also like to paint, following the footsteps of Bob Ross. I'm very much an amateur, but my hope is that someday, I'll be good enough to paint very good versions of locations in Middle Earth.
