Mymcbooks Interview Author Martin King

March 1st 2010 is the morning I woke up and decided, “Hey I’m going to write a book.” Having already a degree in the art of idiotic ideas, at the time this had to be one of my all time craziest. The only books I had ever read were comic annuals and my literary skills ranged somewhere between zilch and diddly-squat.

 I spent most of my scholary time camped at the resident ice-cream van parked outside West Craven High School buying Wham bars and Jawbreakers, the latter being responsible for the large metal content in my mouth commonly known as fillings.

 I didn’t need books to captain a frigate on the seven seas or to be the next super hero – and if anyone tells you at the age of twelve I was spotted running down my street with a blanket tied around my neck, pretending to save the world – well okay, it’s true. But please don’t tell anyone.

 On paper my qualifications as a children’s writer are nonexistent. But that is the magic of your imagination. You don’t need people telling you what you can and can’t be when you grow up. You can be anything you want to be. And now, I’m an author – I think.

 Not that I wanted to be a writer of books. Born back in 1967, when I was growing up, boys only had three choices to choose from; fireman, an astronaut or a footballer. Being honest, I chose door number four. Now apparently it doesn’t exist, although your parents and teachers all refer to what lies beyond the other side with phrases such as ‘throwing your life away’, ‘becoming a dosser’ and such. The truth was I didn’t know what I wanted to be, until now. To read more click on the link http://martinkingauthor.com/about/

Martin King is the Author of Jack Hunter Secret of the King

 

I want to thank you for being my guest here on Mymcbooks Blog

What is the last book you read? – Artemis Fowl and the Artic Incident’

What were your earliest memories of writing? – When I was seven, I won the best handwriting competition in my class and received a brand new fountain pen complete with ink cartridges.

What was your favorite children/teen book? – Tintin.

Were you encouraged to write or was it something that came natural? – It just sort of happened.

Are you working on a new book? – YES. The second Jack Hunter book.

What inspired you to write Jack Hunter Secret of the King and how did you come up with each character? – It’s revolves around a true story that happened to me when I was a kid. Let’s just say the character called Martin is loosely based upon myself.

What is the most difficult part of writing? – Learning new words.

Do you write full time or do you still have a day job? – I work full time as well.

How do you react to a bad review and have you ever suffered from writer’s block? – I’ve never suffered from writer’s block and the first bad review I received…I cried.

What do you hope that readers will take away from your book? – For young children I hope they can just have fun. Nowadays they are expected to grow up far too quickly. And adults…to remember what it was like to be young again!

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.? – To make sure I write every single day, even if it’s just 100 words.
 
What advice would you give parents on selecting the right books for their children to read? – That is a tough one because no single child is the same. I don’t think you should force them to read a book. Maybe go to a book store and help them to select a book that is right for them, after all, if it is something they are interested in, and then they will want to read it.

What advice you would give to new writers? – Not to dream about being rich. Write for yourself and enjoy it.

Thank you for this interview.