Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

In October of last year, I celebrated 50 years of (mostly) happy marriage to my wife, Sylvia, as well as my 80th Birthday. We have two children and four grandchildren and have lived in Meopham, Kent since 1963, apart from spells in Hong Kong (2 years), Cyprus (6 months) and Norway (4 years). Played cricket, tennis and football. Have written as a hobby for 45 years and have produced numerous short stories, several plays and a number of half-finished novels - A Pattern of Shadows is the only one of the latter I have completed.

Describe your book ‘A Pattern of Shadows’ in 30 words or less. 

Set in the first month of The Great War, APOS chronicles its effect on the lives of three young people who have grown up together in a small Kentish village.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Researching the period, which is why it took 6 years to write.

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

V.M.Yeates Winged Victory; R.C.Sherriff Journy's End; H.G.Wells War of the Worlds; John Terraine The Right of the Line; Len Deighton Bomber; Bill Bryson Notes From a Small Island; Derek Robinson Piece of Cake.

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

Not a lot, although I have spent (for me) quite a lot of money with Trafford trying to manipulate various social sites like Facebook. The truth is, I find the whole process extremely boring and overly time consuming. I have also listed the book on Amazon Kindle and reduced the price to £1. I think I have sold 3.

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

Very involved with the local Amdram group, mostly on backstage stuff. They have been kind enough to produce two of my full-length plays.

What are you working on next?

Considering resurrecting a play I'd previously set to one side as well as intermittently writing a novel based in the 1950s.