After a gap last week due to me being lazy off work and soaking up the relaxing vibes with my family and new puppy I have a Wordy Wednesday interview for you once again.
This week I'm pleased to hand the stage to Terry Ray Hall, as I don't know a lot about Terry and his writing I asked him to introduce himself, I'll just lurk and have a cool drink in the shade of a tree to avoid the heat while he says hello:
I have been writing and drawing since I was very little and my mum encouraged me to read almost as soon as I could talk. She grew up in the war and was moved from school to school, so she became embarrassed about reading. She made sure I never had that experience. She says I was born with a pen in one hand and a suitcase in the other...so writing
a children's book about travel seems quite appropriate!
Do you have another job or are you a full time author? If you do something else (exotic dancer?) what is it and do you like it?
I am a film screenwriter and producer. I like the creativity of it, but dislike the time it takes to raise investment for the projects. That can be disheartening.
I work as a trainer for international blue chip companies, teaching staff about customer service and developing the necessary business skills for managers to run a company effectively.
I am a hypnotherapist and have teamed up with musician and movie score-writer Imran Ahmad to create
"Mindtracks," downloadable audio mind entrainment MP3s, which enable people to achieve natural sleep or for business professionals to relax, meditate and alter their perspectives when dealing with issues in their day to day working environment.
I also trained as a dancer, raced in athletics meetings at Crystal Palace and have acted on screen. However, I would definitely liked to have trained as a gymnast. -
busy busy!
What was the first thing you wrote (apart from your name, I mean the first story)?
I went to Cubitt Town school on the Isle of Dogs until I was about five or six. I remember I wrote a little 5-minute play for the rest of the children to act in. It was about a flying saucer and we built a cardboard box to represent the alien craft. I liked magic and sci-fi a lot - and still do!
What 3 things are guaranteed to make you smile?
The funny things animals do, a beautiful sunny beach or mountain scenery, elegant events where everyone can dress up and enjoy each other's company.
Do you have any pets?
No. But I think they would help with the writing process.
(you better add one to your list of things you need then!)
Who is your favourite author? Do they influence your writing?
Bill Bryson, I love his sense of humour, his fascination with words and language, and his urge to travel. I read his entire book "The Lost Continent' on a flight from London to Los Angeles and couldn't put it down. It fits very well with me and is the sort of book I'd like to have written. -
Oh I love his books too, to be informative while being funny is such a skill, and to be wry in that humour without ever being mean is even more of a skill! - My favourite of his is A Walk in the Woods.
Which book(s) are you reading at the moment?
I actually prefer non-fiction books, filled with beautiful pictures, maps and factual information. I also like inspirational self-help, health manuals or spiritual books which help people change perspectives.
Where do you do most of your writing?
Currently at my parent's place, so that I can use the internet. Sometimes in Starbucks where they also have wi-fi!
What three words would your best friend use to describe you?
Some words I have heard so you can choose from: Electric, considerate, approachable , trustworthy, open-minded, teacher-like, avant-garde, creative, inventive, arty, quirky, weird, friendly, interesting, magnetic, futuristic, day-dreamy. My dad, when he wants my attention, often says, "Earth calling planet Zog." Says it all, I suppose.
Tell us about the character that you've written that you like the most - no spoilers!
Gwendoline. I saw her character first. She knows what she wants and she goes out to get it. Whether anyone else wants the same thing is another matter.
What is your favourite biscuit?
Anything with a minty taste. Although I like Bourbons and Ginger Nuts.
Tea or Coffee?
I prefer coffee
In the film of your life, who would play you?
Haha, I used to look like John Travolta, back in the day, and used to teach the dances in Saturday Night Fever. I even had a shiny blue shirt and white flares! So I guess it would be him. Or maybe Clive Owen!
If you could genetically cross an animal and a vegetable, what would you pick and why? I like the idea of a cauliflower sheep - you could cover it in cheese and then shear ready made cauliflower cheese!
A tree squirrel. It would be an animal that had a ready made place to live! -
with a very shrubby tail!
Thanks for taking part Terry, all the best with the book!
Passports To Peril is
available on Amazon in paperback or on Kindle.
Terry is also promoting a movie "The Border Guide", an inspirational war story about a young boy Aksel who guides refugees over the Norwegian/ Swedish border. He is working on getting the script produced. It is filmed in the National Geographic style, to show the beauty of Norway.
Find out more about what
Terry is up to on his Facebook, and don't forget to
like my page too while you are there!
Until next week - keep reading!
