As we gear up for this amazing event, I’ll be bringing you author interviews so you can get to know the attending authors in more detail! There are lots and lots of authors for you to discover, not to mention, hundreds if not thousands of books! Why not grab a cuppa and sit back and relax! All while hearing more about our writers and their writing lives, inspirations – and maybe even a secret or two!
What is the first thing people should know about you?
I’m super shy, which means I can often look a little grumpy and aloof, but I’m really not. Honestly, I’m very nice… please come and say hello.
Tell me which genre or trope you are most well-known for writing.
Definitely international action thrillers set in fascinating, exotic locations.
What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I’ve lived abroad almost all my adult life, except 3 years at university in my 30s. I only moved back to the UK in 2022 after living all around the world since my early 20s.
Name a book you’ve written that you wish more people had read, and why.
I Have Lived Today. It was my debut novel and it’s a literary coming of age adventure. I only wrote it as a challenge, having never written before. I’ve never stopped writing since.
What is your favourite book (not your own), and why?
The Book of Human Skin by Michelle Lovric. Absolutely amazing historical fiction storytelling, and the best cast of characters I’ve ever read. Oh, and the most evil villain ever created.
Was there a book you wrote that broke you and made you feel like you’d never write again?
Um, almost all of them. No, Of Curses and Kings was a real struggle. I found being creative during the pandemic very challenging.
Are you one of those authors for whom music is EVERYTHING and without it you’d never write?
No, not exactly, but I like to feature music in my stories. When I’m plotting I do like to have some background music on… usually hard rock or grunge.
Is your desk/writing space tidy or messy?
Pretty tidy and organised… unlike the rest of my life. When it comes to writing, I am definitely OCD.
Who or what inspires you as a writer?
My own experiences and travels have helped shape my writing, namely the people I’ve met and locations I’ve visited. Also my university studies have played an important role.
Are you an introvert or extrovert? Or something else…?
I am 100% an introvert… I try to hide it, but I am definitely not an extrovert.
The literary world moves fast, but what’s the one thing that never changes?
People will always love to read, me included. Nothing better than a good book.
What is your advice to authors just starting out?
Write as if no one is reading, because they probably won’t. And remember, as Hemingway said, ‘The first draft of everything is shit.’ Meaning, don’t overthink it… finished is better than perfect!
Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
Until recently, it was the UK, since I’ve always lived abroad. Now? I’ll travel anywhere, but I have a special penchant for the exotic and slightly edgy.
If you could live inside any fictional world, where would that be?
Probably Lord of the Rings/Middle Earth. I wouldn’t last five minutes, but it’d be fun to explore.
Your favourite place to read and/or write?
Poolside or a beach for reading. For writing? If it’s a first draft or brainstorming, I’m partial to a pub. If it’s serious, nowhere but my desk.
When you’re as old as Gandalf the Grey, how many books do you think you might have written?
I am, and the answer is almost thirty.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met?
True story… I once snogged Pamela Anderson at Dennis Rodman’s 40th birthday party. I was working at a bar in LA and she liked my ‘cute’ British accent.
What did you always want to be when you were growing up?
Professional football player or an archaeologist. I played semi-pro football and have a degree in archaeology, so not a bad effort.
If writing is your full-time job, have you ever been told to get a “proper job”?
No, not really. My ‘proper job’ is editing, so I’ll take it.
Who is your biggest cheerleader?
The missus. She’s a writer too, so we ‘get’ each other.
BONUS Q. Tell me a secret about one of your books that nobody else knows yet!
Most of the characters I’ve killed are based on someone I’ve met and, let’s say, I haven’t liked very much.
Thank you so much for your time, Steve! To connect with the author, visit…
https://linktr.ee/stevenmooreauthor
If you want to meet Steve amongst others, click the graphic below! Authors at the Armouries is about inspiration for all!
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