Interview with the Lovely Michael Rowland
This very personable gentleman is multi-talented - there is nothing he cannot turn his hand to, from children's books to more serious adult ones - check out the interview with this lovely man. It has been my pleasure to interview him twice now - sadly the first one can't be uploaded due to technical difficulties.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule, Michael.
Maybe we could start with a brief introduction to you?
I am 63 years of age and over the years I have read hundreds of books. I am passionate about children reading and to get them off their Play stations for a while. When you are engrossed in a book, you can forget about the harsh world around you.
What is your background – have you always wanted to be an author?
From the tender age of 15, I've been in the Printing Industry.
Can you tell me what you latest book, Christmas Presence, is about?
This book is about a young boy (Barnaby Tinker-Tailor) who buys three Tree Spirits from a weird old gentleman at a Christmas Fair.
Barnaby becomes embroiled in an adventure, where he come across an evil Shadow Thief - Nanny Buttoncap. You will have to read the book to know what happens to him.
Where did you get the inspiration for this book from?
To be honest, I don't know. It was an idea that cropped up one day.
Can you tell us a little more about the competition you are planning to run (re: Nanny Buttoncap)?
When I wrote Christmas Presence, I made a conscious effort NOT to describe Nanny. So the competition will be for someone to draw or describe her. The winner will then appear in my next children's novel. Not bad hey?
What inspired you to become a writer, and what was the inspiration behind your first book?
Nothing really inspired me to be a writer. Yet when I think about it, it was because of the atrocities on 9/11 which weren't being reported by the media, that made me decide to write a novel about 9/11, based on FACTS.
You seem to concentrate on children’s books – why is this, and do you have any plans for adults?
At the moment in time, I am concentrating on writing for children. Yet my first book was a serious novel about 9/11. 9/11: Official Complicity by Michael Rowland. I've spelt out my full name, because I use an anagram of my name for the children's novels. - Daniel M Warloch. This reason for the Pen Name, is that I didn't want to associate a serious novel with a children's novel.
The reason behind writing about 9/11 was due to the inconsistencies and lies reported in the press and by the then American Government. I am delighted to say that Dr David Ray Griffin (nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize and voted one of the top 50 influential people in the world by The New Statesmen) has endorsed it.
Can you talk specifically about 9/11 and Leap Year series?
9/11 is as above, but Leap Year was an idea I'd had since an early age. And it was only when I received so many requests to write a sequel, I decided to sit down and write one. Which you may be interested to know, I've now finished.
What do you do if you’re writing and you come across a block - how do you get back into the flow again?
If I have a block, I normally go for a drive or a walk. I also make sure I have a dictaphone so I can capture what I am thinking.
I know you’ve had a few letters from children - what has been your biggest compliment - and have you ever written to a favourite author yourself?
To get a compliment from a child whose read my books and said they loved them is what writing is all about. I am also pleased to receive compliments from other authors. I have never written to my favourite author as I have that many.
Could you talk us through a typical writing day for you – do you have any rituals to help you to get into the right frame of mind or anything like that?
I have no rituals. I write if I am in the right frame of mind.
Do you plan your story or do you go with the flow and let the story write itself? If you plan it, could you talk us through how you do it please?
Sometimes I write with the flow, other times I make notes and work out a plan of action.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
To be honest I don't think of myself as being a writer. I just enjoy writing.
Which was your favourite chapter to write and why?
All of them as I feel as though I am part of that person I'm describing at the time.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Listening to people and words. I know it sounds funny but I can see scenes from a word. Such as RIPPLE, as an example
How do you cope with and overcome writer’s block?
To date I've not experienced it?
Who are your favourite authors and how did they inspire you to write?
I have dozens of favourite authors. Tolkien, Stephen King, James Patterson to name a few. I wouldn't say they inspired me. I just like the way they write.
Which books have most influenced your life?
Lord of the Rings.
What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
I have never cut anything.
What do you find is the best time to write?
Any time of the day or night.
How do you deal with rejection letters?
I self-published 9/11 and Leap Year so I wouldn't be rejected. Christmas Presence is published by Mira and they approached me.
Which do you prefer, editing or writing, and why?
Writing and editing. I write like a painter. I layer the story, building it up until I an happy with the final result.
I know you self-published this series of books. Would you be kind enough to explain why that was right for you, and whether you pursued a traditional route first, or was it always your intention to self publish?
I self-published because I didn't want to walk around London with a manuscript in my arms, knocking on doors. Some publishers receive hundreds of manuscripts a week. Most of them don't get read.
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? What’s your greatest ambition?
To be a top selling author, and to be on the New York Times bestseller list.
Other than writing, how do you spend your day?
At the moment I'm looking for work.
If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
A criminal lawyer.
What are the best and worst bits of being an author?
The best bit is getting great reviews. The worst is trying like mad to have your books on the shelves at Waterstones! It's so frustrating!
E publishing has taken off in a big way. What are you views on this and do you think we have seen the death of the paperback? Why do you think eBooks are so popular – would you have one?
First of all, I DO have an e-reader. Why? Because a number of books I want to read have the type face so small I can't read it!
I personally don't think e-readers will take over printed books. Especially reference books. But I would think it will take a lot of printed books off the shelves.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 luxury items would you take?
E-reader. Fridge stocked with food and drink and a tent. Need I say more?
What’s your most treasured possession?
A lock of my late mother’s hair, and my late father’s ring.
If you could have lunch with one person past or present, who would it be and why?
John Lennon. Why? Because it was interesting to hear his views.
What’s been the most unforgettable moment of your life?
Seeing both my children being born.
What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve ever done?
Spending two weeks in Japan with my two sons. Out of this world!
What has been your greatest achievement so far (personal or business).
Writing four novels and working on my fifth.
What is your worst fault?
I'm lazy. Can you believe that?
You are always very smartly - are appearances very important to you and why?
For the past 40+ years I have worked in an office environment, which meant wearing a suit. That's why I like to be presentable. I do wear jeans when I'm relaxing at home.
What is your biggest fear?
Dying.
What hobbies do you have?
Writing and reading.
If you could turn the clock back, what would you do differently?
Start writing at an earlier age.
What has been the highest point of your career so far?
I'm still waiting.
What are your future plans (immediate future?).
Just keep doing what I like doing. Writing for children and seeing their happy smiling faces when they tell me they enjoyed reading MY novels.
Thank you Michael - I'm sure we'll do a catch up soon. If you haven't already, why don't you head on over and see my review of Leap Year and Christmas Presence./
Maybe we could start with a brief introduction to you?
I am 63 years of age and over the years I have read hundreds of books. I am passionate about children reading and to get them off their Play stations for a while. When you are engrossed in a book, you can forget about the harsh world around you.
What is your background – have you always wanted to be an author?
From the tender age of 15, I've been in the Printing Industry.
Can you tell me what you latest book, Christmas Presence, is about?
This book is about a young boy (Barnaby Tinker-Tailor) who buys three Tree Spirits from a weird old gentleman at a Christmas Fair.
Barnaby becomes embroiled in an adventure, where he come across an evil Shadow Thief - Nanny Buttoncap. You will have to read the book to know what happens to him.
Where did you get the inspiration for this book from?
To be honest, I don't know. It was an idea that cropped up one day.
Can you tell us a little more about the competition you are planning to run (re: Nanny Buttoncap)?
When I wrote Christmas Presence, I made a conscious effort NOT to describe Nanny. So the competition will be for someone to draw or describe her. The winner will then appear in my next children's novel. Not bad hey?
What inspired you to become a writer, and what was the inspiration behind your first book?
Nothing really inspired me to be a writer. Yet when I think about it, it was because of the atrocities on 9/11 which weren't being reported by the media, that made me decide to write a novel about 9/11, based on FACTS.
You seem to concentrate on children’s books – why is this, and do you have any plans for adults?
At the moment in time, I am concentrating on writing for children. Yet my first book was a serious novel about 9/11. 9/11: Official Complicity by Michael Rowland. I've spelt out my full name, because I use an anagram of my name for the children's novels. - Daniel M Warloch. This reason for the Pen Name, is that I didn't want to associate a serious novel with a children's novel.
The reason behind writing about 9/11 was due to the inconsistencies and lies reported in the press and by the then American Government. I am delighted to say that Dr David Ray Griffin (nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize and voted one of the top 50 influential people in the world by The New Statesmen) has endorsed it.
Can you talk specifically about 9/11 and Leap Year series?
9/11 is as above, but Leap Year was an idea I'd had since an early age. And it was only when I received so many requests to write a sequel, I decided to sit down and write one. Which you may be interested to know, I've now finished.
What do you do if you’re writing and you come across a block - how do you get back into the flow again?
If I have a block, I normally go for a drive or a walk. I also make sure I have a dictaphone so I can capture what I am thinking.
I know you’ve had a few letters from children - what has been your biggest compliment - and have you ever written to a favourite author yourself?
To get a compliment from a child whose read my books and said they loved them is what writing is all about. I am also pleased to receive compliments from other authors. I have never written to my favourite author as I have that many.
Could you talk us through a typical writing day for you – do you have any rituals to help you to get into the right frame of mind or anything like that?
I have no rituals. I write if I am in the right frame of mind.
Do you plan your story or do you go with the flow and let the story write itself? If you plan it, could you talk us through how you do it please?
Sometimes I write with the flow, other times I make notes and work out a plan of action.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
To be honest I don't think of myself as being a writer. I just enjoy writing.
Which was your favourite chapter to write and why?
All of them as I feel as though I am part of that person I'm describing at the time.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Listening to people and words. I know it sounds funny but I can see scenes from a word. Such as RIPPLE, as an example
How do you cope with and overcome writer’s block?
To date I've not experienced it?
Who are your favourite authors and how did they inspire you to write?
I have dozens of favourite authors. Tolkien, Stephen King, James Patterson to name a few. I wouldn't say they inspired me. I just like the way they write.
Which books have most influenced your life?
Lord of the Rings.
What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
I have never cut anything.
What do you find is the best time to write?
Any time of the day or night.
How do you deal with rejection letters?
I self-published 9/11 and Leap Year so I wouldn't be rejected. Christmas Presence is published by Mira and they approached me.
Which do you prefer, editing or writing, and why?
Writing and editing. I write like a painter. I layer the story, building it up until I an happy with the final result.
I know you self-published this series of books. Would you be kind enough to explain why that was right for you, and whether you pursued a traditional route first, or was it always your intention to self publish?
I self-published because I didn't want to walk around London with a manuscript in my arms, knocking on doors. Some publishers receive hundreds of manuscripts a week. Most of them don't get read.
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? What’s your greatest ambition?
To be a top selling author, and to be on the New York Times bestseller list.
Other than writing, how do you spend your day?
At the moment I'm looking for work.
If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
A criminal lawyer.
What are the best and worst bits of being an author?
The best bit is getting great reviews. The worst is trying like mad to have your books on the shelves at Waterstones! It's so frustrating!
E publishing has taken off in a big way. What are you views on this and do you think we have seen the death of the paperback? Why do you think eBooks are so popular – would you have one?
First of all, I DO have an e-reader. Why? Because a number of books I want to read have the type face so small I can't read it!
I personally don't think e-readers will take over printed books. Especially reference books. But I would think it will take a lot of printed books off the shelves.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 luxury items would you take?
E-reader. Fridge stocked with food and drink and a tent. Need I say more?
What’s your most treasured possession?
A lock of my late mother’s hair, and my late father’s ring.
If you could have lunch with one person past or present, who would it be and why?
John Lennon. Why? Because it was interesting to hear his views.
What’s been the most unforgettable moment of your life?
Seeing both my children being born.
What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve ever done?
Spending two weeks in Japan with my two sons. Out of this world!
What has been your greatest achievement so far (personal or business).
Writing four novels and working on my fifth.
What is your worst fault?
I'm lazy. Can you believe that?
You are always very smartly - are appearances very important to you and why?
For the past 40+ years I have worked in an office environment, which meant wearing a suit. That's why I like to be presentable. I do wear jeans when I'm relaxing at home.
What is your biggest fear?
Dying.
What hobbies do you have?
Writing and reading.
If you could turn the clock back, what would you do differently?
Start writing at an earlier age.
What has been the highest point of your career so far?
I'm still waiting.
What are your future plans (immediate future?).
Just keep doing what I like doing. Writing for children and seeing their happy smiling faces when they tell me they enjoyed reading MY novels.
Thank you Michael - I'm sure we'll do a catch up soon. If you haven't already, why don't you head on over and see my review of Leap Year and Christmas Presence./