Interview
with
Deb
McEwan
Questions:
R. Murry
Hi
Roy, thanks for interviewing me this week.
Can
you tell me a little about yourself?
I grew up in the
valleys of South Wales and joined the Army as a teenager. 34 years and many
life experiences later, I’m about to leave and move to Cyprus with my husband,
Allan.
I spend my free time
writing, reading, playing sport and avoiding most forms of housework! I’m kind
to most animals and fascinated by spiders. (Please keep reading, I’m not a
weirdo)!
Do
you remember the first story you wrote?
Not really. I started writing stories and verse when
I was very young, this stopped for a while when I first joined the Army. I got
back into writing about 10 years ago and started writing verse and lyrics, and
co-wrote a number of songs. In 2010 I published a rhyming Christmas storybook
entitled ‘Reindeer Dreams’. I’ve always wanted to write novels and love
creating new worlds.
Were
you inspired by someone or something?
I’m inspired by everything and anything, but the best
ideas pop into my head when I’m out walking. I jot down a few notes when I get
home and that’s how I start most of my stories.
What
do you like about writing a story?
So many things! How long have you got? It’s the sheer pleasure of creating a world
where anything can happen. It’s the way
that characters seem to take on a life of their own and sometimes surprise me
with their actions (sounds daft I know, but that’s the way it is.) Very often the story is quite different to the
one I set out to write. And it’s the satisfaction of holding the completed
manuscript and thinking, ‘I did that!’
Can
you tell us about your book?
Most of the story is told from the point of view of spiders
from the planet Phoenix. They have a choice; be eaten by aliens or come to Earth
and film a TV series about humans. After receiving training, the Terries send
them to Earth and the spiders follow the lives of a family. They secretly
record and analyze human mating rituals, various customs and habits and the
vagaries of our waste disposal system, and try to discover whether leprechauns
are real.
What
genre best fits for the book?
Although as the title (An Alien’s Guide to the Human
Species) suggests, it’s a family humorous book.
Are
you working on something new at the moment?
The sequel which is less humorous and more sinister
– my dark book! The planet Largo is in danger of dying and 20 Terry families
are sent to Earth to live amongst us. Only a small percentage of people are
able to recognize Terries as different, and their Chief Scientist is very
ambitious. She won’t allow anything or anyone get in her way.
Do
you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Everyone has a book in them so the saying goes, but
you have to write it. It can be hard work but also very rewarding. Allocate
yourself writing time and switch off the internet and any other distractions
and write. In fact, why not go and write 1000 words now and see how you get on?
Try and remember that most people need people, so
make time for others.
My final tip is not to let self-doubt get in the way
of your dreams.
Where
can people go to read your work?
It’s available on Amazon
in print or as an e-book at these links.
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