where the writers are
I'm visiting Botswana

LinkI've decided to leave here, albeit virtually, and visit Botswana, hosted by Lauri and her wonderful blog, Thoughts from Botswana. Yes, it's leg 10 on my Virtual Book Tour, the penultimate stop. And what am I talking about? Well, yes, me. Here is a small excerpt:

Describe your writing process. Do you wait for your muse to pitch up or do you do the 9-5?

Ah, well! Neither, actually. I tried the 9-5 for a few days and then discovered that it doesn't work for a short story writer. Novelists need to put in the time, they have a lot of words to get down, and many redrafts to go through. But it doesn't help me to structure my writing like that. But - I also don't wait for any muse. I try to make the headspace for writing and writing-related matters. To just show up, as someone said...............

I’ve had discussions with other writers about using new technologies to up the popularity of short stories and, especially, flash fiction (i.e. podcasts, SMS, etc.) . Do you use any of this technology? If so can you explain how you used it and if it was effective?

I have had two short stories broadcast on podcasts, I didn't read them myself, and I did love how they sounded, but I don't think this works for any short story. I am a great lover of the radio, but not all stories are intended to be read out. The way they look on the page, the layout, and the ability to read them at your own pace and hear the voice in your head as you imagine it not as the actor performs it, that for me is an essential part of the reading experience.........

Head on over there for the rest of the interview, including my 25-word "flash" ad designed to persuade anyone who hasn't already to buy my book! Did it work? You tell me!