Questions and Answers  

Where are you from?

I was born in Bournemouth on the south coast of England where I had a happy childhood. I now live now in Canterbury as a happy adult!

Jasper's childhood home, La Maison Bleu - named by his father who was half French.

When and why did you begin writing?

In 1995 when I was 42. When my children were younger I used to love making up bed-time stories for them. They loved listening to them too, but the only snag was that I would sometimes fall asleep first! The Kingdom Of Gems trilogy began its life as one of these. The whole story only took 10 minutes to tell but they kept asking for it. I decided to write it down and so I sat down one evening and started writing. The first short chapter emerged and I took it upstairs to read it to my children. The next day, in the evening, chapter 2 was written. To my surprise it was growing naturally. This went on for 92 nights until I had written a book of 50,000 words and 92 short chapters! Now it has grown even longer and become a trilogy of books.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When Candara’s Gift was on the shelves in Waterstones and that was in August 2006.

Candara's Gift on sale in Waterstones, Canterbury.

What inspired you to write your first book?

My inspiration was my children and their delight in hearing bed-time stories. They especially enjoyed the ones that I made up on the spot.

Who or what has influenced your writing?

I love the ingenuity of a clever plot in books and films. I have been influenced by the beauty found in many different places… nature, poetry, tennis, music and art. This appreciation has brought great care in the creation of a book, from the formation of a sentence to the flow of the plot as well as the cover and illustrations.

I think the biggest direct influence on my writing, my style and use of English, has been poetry. When I was twenty I started reading poetry and soon grew to love it. When I found a poem I liked, I read it over and over for enjoyment and found that my appreciation and love of the poem became deeper. A good poem skillfully uses words, rhythms and rhymes to portray experiences and ideas. The essence of writing, beautifully presented and crafted, can be found in a few verses. It’s a great teacher.

So, influence has come from many areas of life.

How did you come up with the title Candara’s Gift?

My wife produced the name Candara. She was playing music with some friends when they came across an unusual musical term. She changed some of the letters and produced Candara and suggested it for the book. I heard it and thought ‘yes’. Candara is a wizard who gave the three magical gems to the Kingdom of Gems , hence the book was named Candara’s Gift, which immediately sounded right.   Jasper's oil painting of his wife Sarah playing the violin (right).

What books have most influenced your life?

Hard to say. Hmm… Books with a message that help one to live better. There are many. I love novels that are enjoyable, well written and have a goodness about them that strengthens ones life. Nowadays I don’t read so much because I’m always writing!

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider as a mentor?

What book are you reading now?

I am dipping into a poetry book – Palgrave’s Golden Treasury – which is an excellent selection. Apart from this I am reading my own books! I enjoy writing so much that I write just about every day. I do not seem to have much time for reading other people’s books.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

I enjoyed some books as a child although I was mainly busy playing tennis! I remember a book of short detective stories and some fairy tale books particularly. I loved these and read them several times. I started reading a lot more in my late teens and early twenties. As I said, poetry was a major influence. However I never imagined that I would write a book.

Who is your favourite author and what is it that really strikes you about
their work?

I do not really have one favourite writer. My favourite poet is probably Shelley. I have read some poems of his over and over. I have enjoyed reading Antoine de St Exupery, not only The Little Prince but also Night Flight and Southern Mail. I like his ideas and the beauty of his writing.

Do you have to travel much concerning your books?

Not yet but it is starting to develop! I have done some traveling in England and also Europe . I think I shall need to visit the US as things develop.

Who designed the covers?

My son, Joseph, played a large part. I did the artwork and then we worked on it together. Also a friend, Alan Downs, had some input too at the beginning. Joseph was the designer and created the layout. He was also the technician with skillful use of the computer. The combination of the two of us created a cover which has received many compliments. One bookseller said, “We have your book faced outwards because we like the cover so much.”

Some sample designs showing our development towards the final cover. Notice how we tried out different fonts and colours!

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

It was all hard in the sense that it took many, many days of working for long hours. A lot of this was done whilst working as a supply teacher. I am unusual to have done everything myself except for the printing and distribution. But everything has been thoroughly enjoyable so working long hours is a delight and easy.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

Do not let trying to be published become a burden… just write anyway. Write what you like and from the heart. Listen to all advice and use what you think is valid. Ignore the rest. Be prepared to change and rewrite when necessary.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

I am always excited to hear that someone is reading and enjoying my book. I love hearing feedback from readers, so please email me if you want and tell me what you think. This is one of the best things about being a writer.

Keep reading my books… there is a lot more to come!

What are your hobbies?

Tennis is an important one because I was brought up in a tennis playing family. I play for the local club and run some teams there. I play for the Kent Over 55's Team and in 2007 we were National Champions. I also enjoy playing the guitar… mainly Ralph McTell songs. I love painting but because I am so busy writing I have not painted for a while. I think the art I do in the future will mostly be for my books.

Do you have any pets?

We had two cats for 15 years, Tilly and Jessie, until last year when they sadly passed away. I miss having them around and always stop to stroke (and talk to) any cats I meet.

I love animals as you’ve probably guessed. Animals are a big feature in my books. Tilly is in Candara’s Gift… have you noticed where?

Jessie (above), and Jasper's painting of Tilly (right)

For the last two summers we've had seagulls nesting on our roof! The chicks have been a bit like pets until they grow up and fly off. They are very friendly and come and look in at our window! Here's a few pictures of them.

After The Kingdom Of Gems trilogy will you write more in the same series?

Yes, I intend to and would love to write more in the series. The series is called The Accounts of Candara. I have a few pages packed with ideas and some rough maps. The story is vague at the moment but becoming clearer in my mind. As soon as I think about it I start getting ideas so I have to restrain myself and concentrate on the present books.

Where do you get your ideas from?

This is one of the best things about writing. It is a really creative thing that happens. Sometimes ideas are sparked off by something that happens in life. At other times they just pop up from within and this is really delightful. I find that the book I am working on lives with me, and so I am, in a sense, developing ideas all the time. It is in the back of my mind as I am doing other things and so sometimes when I am in bed, or relaxed somewhere, up come the ideas. Then I rush off to my laptop at the first opportunity and write like mad!