Paul Roberts
Describe your desk
It is generally neat and tidy. I find it difficult to write with clutter around me. Clear desk, clear mind!
Where did you grow up? How has this influence your writing?
I grew up in North Wales, UK in the small city of Bangor. I grew up on a street that was involved in crime and drug use. It gave me the willpower to try and make something of my life and escape the place.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Being able to put my own ideas onto paper, it's a relief to write them down and make some space in my head for new ones.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My ideas inspire me to get out of bed in the morning. I think we should all be thankful we get to live another day.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Going out for a drink, usually a hot chocolate or tea. I love going to the cinema and playing new games on my Xbox console.
Do you experience writer's block?
A lot of people say it exists and a lot of people say it doesn't. I do get times where I stare at the screen, wondering what to write. A quick tip for anyone is to just write total nonsense, even if it doesn't make any sense, somehow it gets the juices flowing again.
Who are your favorite authors?
It's difficult to choose a favourite as there are so many talented authors around. A personal favourite of mine is Stephen King. He has wrote so many books,yet his plots and storylines continue to shock and surprise.
Do you prefer e-books or physical copies?
Physical copies, it's nice to feel it in your hands. With ebooks, I tend to get eye strain staring at a screen for so long.
What motivated you to become an (indie) author?
I've always been imaginative and penned short stories. One day I just decided to write a full length novel and put it out there for everyone to read.
What is your favorite genre to write?
I have dabbled in young adult fantasy, but I prefer horror.
Who do you feel has been the most supportive, other than your family?
My partner Karen, who helps me a lot with my dyslexia.
Do you put yourself into any of your characters?
Yes, I only recently noticed that I do share my personality amongst my characters. Each one has a small part of me in them.
Do you have any strange writing habits?
Only habit I can think of is that I tend to feel in the mood to write around midnight and after which is annoying because I should be sleeping.
Where do you want to visit that you haven't visited before?
I do have an urge to travel. As of yet, I have not been abroad. I hope in the future I can fulfill my dreams and go traveling to different countries and experience different cultures. Some where I would love to go is America because it seems like a place full of opportunities where anything goes.
When you start a new story or book, do you know how it will end?
No, I don't plan how the story will end. In a way I let the story take me on an adventure and show me how to end the story.
Do you write every day?
Not everyday, but I do tend to write notes down for future ideas.
What's your favorite genre to write?
My favourite genre is horror. I love all things horror from art to movies.
How did you choose the genre of your work?
I didn't really choose the genre, it's just something that I have always been into and it feels familiar to write.
What have you written?
My first book was a young adult fantasy fiction called Toby Ripwood in the Dark Sphere Enigma. It is a coming of age story full of suspense, mystery and action. My latest book is a zombie horror book called Chromozone – Flesh and Blood. It is based on a mother trying to survive a zombie outbreak with her young deaf son. It's not completely full of gore, there are some sweet sentimental moments in it to.
Where can your books be purchased or viewed?
The ebooks are available from most online book retailers and Chromozone – Flesh and Blood, is available in print as well through Amazon and Lulu.com.
What are you working on now?
I am having a short break to promote my book, which is a lot of work in itself. In a few weeks I shall start writing the second installment of Chromozone – Behind Closed Doors. I already have plenty of ideas.
When did you decide to start writing?
It wasn't really a decision, it's just something that I started to do one day and it progressed into full story writing.
Have you ever collaborated with another author?
No, however I have had a conversation with an author about doing this so watch this space!
What's your writing process like?
I don't feel like I have a process. I tend to write whatever is in my mind and that is my first basic rough draft. After that I spend endless hours editing and polishing things up. When I am writing, I don't even know how the story will end myself. I just type and allow the story to take me down different paths and sometimes, I come up with things that had never previously occurred to me.
What do you think is the hardest part of writing?
Editing. It is so difficult to know which bits of your story should be cut out after hours of writing them.
What's your favorite motivational phrase?
Everyday is a second chance.
What's your favorite film and why?
Dark Knight Rises. It's my favourite because it shows there is a hero in all of us.
What's your favorite quote?
Everything is hard before it is easy
Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
Brian Cox. I find the universe just as fascinating as him and I'm sure he would be a great person to talk to.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven't included?
Just one thing if that's okay, there's a lot of stigma about people with dyslexia and I don't want to come across that I can't write a book. It is possible and I know I am not and never probably will be a massive fancy writer, but you can do anything and follow any ambition if you truly want it with the support of friends and family. Like I always say, I praise anyone who is struggling yet continues to follow their dream.
Website: www.thesinisterseries.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSinisterSeries
Twitter: @MrPDRoberts
Book links
Chromozone – Flesh and Blood
ibooks http://tinyurl.com/qeazdrz (ebook)
Lulu http://tinyurl.com/ovo2qg3 (print)
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/nh9s4mn (print)
Nook/Barnes and Noble http://tinyurl.com/pacujty (ebook)
Smashwords http://tinyurl.com/p82x3bd (ebook)
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/nmbxe8g (ebook)
Kobo http://tinyurl.com/pc46zq3 (ebook)
Barnes and Noble http://tinyurl.com/ndtj6dn (Print)
Baker and Taylor (ebook)
Toby Ripwood In The Dark Sphere Enigma
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/pzslx8q (ebook)
It is generally neat and tidy. I find it difficult to write with clutter around me. Clear desk, clear mind!
Where did you grow up? How has this influence your writing?
I grew up in North Wales, UK in the small city of Bangor. I grew up on a street that was involved in crime and drug use. It gave me the willpower to try and make something of my life and escape the place.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Being able to put my own ideas onto paper, it's a relief to write them down and make some space in my head for new ones.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My ideas inspire me to get out of bed in the morning. I think we should all be thankful we get to live another day.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Going out for a drink, usually a hot chocolate or tea. I love going to the cinema and playing new games on my Xbox console.
Do you experience writer's block?
A lot of people say it exists and a lot of people say it doesn't. I do get times where I stare at the screen, wondering what to write. A quick tip for anyone is to just write total nonsense, even if it doesn't make any sense, somehow it gets the juices flowing again.
Who are your favorite authors?
It's difficult to choose a favourite as there are so many talented authors around. A personal favourite of mine is Stephen King. He has wrote so many books,yet his plots and storylines continue to shock and surprise.
Do you prefer e-books or physical copies?
Physical copies, it's nice to feel it in your hands. With ebooks, I tend to get eye strain staring at a screen for so long.
What motivated you to become an (indie) author?
I've always been imaginative and penned short stories. One day I just decided to write a full length novel and put it out there for everyone to read.
What is your favorite genre to write?
I have dabbled in young adult fantasy, but I prefer horror.
Who do you feel has been the most supportive, other than your family?
My partner Karen, who helps me a lot with my dyslexia.
Do you put yourself into any of your characters?
Yes, I only recently noticed that I do share my personality amongst my characters. Each one has a small part of me in them.
Do you have any strange writing habits?
Only habit I can think of is that I tend to feel in the mood to write around midnight and after which is annoying because I should be sleeping.
Where do you want to visit that you haven't visited before?
I do have an urge to travel. As of yet, I have not been abroad. I hope in the future I can fulfill my dreams and go traveling to different countries and experience different cultures. Some where I would love to go is America because it seems like a place full of opportunities where anything goes.
When you start a new story or book, do you know how it will end?
No, I don't plan how the story will end. In a way I let the story take me on an adventure and show me how to end the story.
Do you write every day?
Not everyday, but I do tend to write notes down for future ideas.
What's your favorite genre to write?
My favourite genre is horror. I love all things horror from art to movies.
How did you choose the genre of your work?
I didn't really choose the genre, it's just something that I have always been into and it feels familiar to write.
What have you written?
My first book was a young adult fantasy fiction called Toby Ripwood in the Dark Sphere Enigma. It is a coming of age story full of suspense, mystery and action. My latest book is a zombie horror book called Chromozone – Flesh and Blood. It is based on a mother trying to survive a zombie outbreak with her young deaf son. It's not completely full of gore, there are some sweet sentimental moments in it to.
Where can your books be purchased or viewed?
The ebooks are available from most online book retailers and Chromozone – Flesh and Blood, is available in print as well through Amazon and Lulu.com.
What are you working on now?
I am having a short break to promote my book, which is a lot of work in itself. In a few weeks I shall start writing the second installment of Chromozone – Behind Closed Doors. I already have plenty of ideas.
When did you decide to start writing?
It wasn't really a decision, it's just something that I started to do one day and it progressed into full story writing.
Have you ever collaborated with another author?
No, however I have had a conversation with an author about doing this so watch this space!
What's your writing process like?
I don't feel like I have a process. I tend to write whatever is in my mind and that is my first basic rough draft. After that I spend endless hours editing and polishing things up. When I am writing, I don't even know how the story will end myself. I just type and allow the story to take me down different paths and sometimes, I come up with things that had never previously occurred to me.
What do you think is the hardest part of writing?
Editing. It is so difficult to know which bits of your story should be cut out after hours of writing them.
What's your favorite motivational phrase?
Everyday is a second chance.
What's your favorite film and why?
Dark Knight Rises. It's my favourite because it shows there is a hero in all of us.
What's your favorite quote?
Everything is hard before it is easy
Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
Brian Cox. I find the universe just as fascinating as him and I'm sure he would be a great person to talk to.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven't included?
Just one thing if that's okay, there's a lot of stigma about people with dyslexia and I don't want to come across that I can't write a book. It is possible and I know I am not and never probably will be a massive fancy writer, but you can do anything and follow any ambition if you truly want it with the support of friends and family. Like I always say, I praise anyone who is struggling yet continues to follow their dream.
Website: www.thesinisterseries.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSinisterSeries
Twitter: @MrPDRoberts
Book links
Chromozone – Flesh and Blood
ibooks http://tinyurl.com/qeazdrz (ebook)
Lulu http://tinyurl.com/ovo2qg3 (print)
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/nh9s4mn (print)
Nook/Barnes and Noble http://tinyurl.com/pacujty (ebook)
Smashwords http://tinyurl.com/p82x3bd (ebook)
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/nmbxe8g (ebook)
Kobo http://tinyurl.com/pc46zq3 (ebook)
Barnes and Noble http://tinyurl.com/ndtj6dn (Print)
Baker and Taylor (ebook)
Toby Ripwood In The Dark Sphere Enigma
Amazon http://tinyurl.com/pzslx8q (ebook)