Throughout this months I ’ll be posting interviews with the authors and poets who will be taking part in our Book Fair: http://www.narberthbookfair.co.uk/.
There are forty authors, so, obviously, there are many genres for both adults and children. There will be talks an writing and books, creative writing workshops for adults workshops & talks and fun workshops for children, activities for the children Children’s Page and a fun book trail through Narberth, the gorgeous little market town in Pembrokeshire. Location.
All free!!
And, of course, there will be the chance to chat with all the authors and to pick their brains on all aspects of writing. Even to buy their books and have them personally signed.
And, as usual, there will also be the writing competition: this year is a poetry competition: competition . Submit a poem, in any form, of 20 lines or less, on the subject of : –
BOOKS AND READING.
Having outgrown our previous venue we have been lucky to hire the Queens Hall: https://www.thequeenshall.org.uk/ who have been very generous in their support of the event.
Although, five years ago, I started organising the book fairs on my own I was soon joined by Alex Martin: http://amzn.to/2hZCgt2 and Thorne Moore: http://bit.ly/2rc5qyA. Unfortunately Alex has moved on to pastures new (although is still a great supporter), so Thorne and I have been joined by Elizabeth Sleight. Elizabeth is involved in the charity we are supporting through our raffle; The Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust For Disabled Children: http://bit.ly/2sNyeKQ .
Our author today is the lovely author, prolific blogger and all round good guy … Hugh Roberts.
Let’s’ start, Hugh, by you telling us what you love most about the writing process?
Being able to go into worlds that do not exist and creating characters and worlds that I have the power over and which readers enjoy reading about. As a writer, you can do anything you want to the people in your worlds, so it’s probably the closest I’ll ever get to living life as an emperor.
What is the ultimate goal you hope to achieve with your writing?
I would love to write for a TV show such as Doctor Who, or even a well-known soap-opera. I admire the writers in the world of TV and movies and think it such a shame that many of them do not get the recognition they deserve. We need to ensure that these people walk along the red-carpet to loud cheers, as much as the actors do.
If you could write about anyone fiction/nonfiction who would you write about?
The Time Traveller in The Time Machine. I know there have been hundreds (if not thousands) of other time travelling stories since H.G. Wells wrote The Time Machine, but I would have loved to have asked Mr Wells if I could write a sequel to his book. I’m not a huge lover of sequels, but The Time Traveller in The Time Machine is one of my all-time favourite fictional characters.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes, ever since I can remember. It has always been one of my two lifetime goals. Unfortunately, for many years, I allowed being dyslexic get in my way. I’m so grateful to have discovered the world of blogging, as it was the gateway for me to finally conquer the monster I called ‘Dyslexia’.
What genre do you consider your books? Have you considered writing in another genre?
As a writer of short stories, I’ve written in many genres. My favourites tend to be science fiction, horror, and suspense. However, I was recently challenged to write a rom-com, after saying it was a genre I would find difficult to write. It took me a while to write a story, but I’m pleased to say that I wrote one, although it’s yet to be read by anyone.
Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?
So far, I’ve only published one book. It’s called Glimpses and is a collection of 28 short stories I’ve wrote over three years. If you enjoy shows as such The Twilight Zone, Tales Of The Unexpected, The Outer Limits, or Tales From The Dark Side, then Glimpses is a must read. All the stories are full of twists and turns that take the reader on an unexpected journey and an ending they probably never saw coming.
What was the inspiration behind Glimpses?
My love of The Twilight Zone and its creator, Rod Serling. When I first watched The Twilight Zone, I wanted to find out more about its creator. Serling is the master when it comes to writing stories with twists that nobody will have guessed, along with his thoughts about the situations people find themselves in, in each of the stories. He gave me the inspiration to write stories the way he did and to marvel in the delight when people say that they didn’t see that ending coming. It’s one of the biggest compliments a reader can pay me.
How long did it take you to write Glimpses?
I wrote the first story in April 2014. However, at the time, I had no intension of publishing it in a book. Then, as I wrote more and more short stories and published them on my blog, my readers started asking me to put them into a collection and publish them. Glimpses was published in December 2016.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?
No, I always have the reins of a story. In fact, the ending will come to me first, and I then tend to work backwards to the beginning. I’ve never found myself in a situation where a character has hijacked the story…not yet, anyway.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Yes, as many of them follow my blog. One of the best things about blogging is the interaction between my readers and myself. If it wasn’t for my readers leaving comments on my blog, Glimpses would never have been published. I’m very lucky in that my blog seems to attract a lot of comments. I’ve had huge compliments paid to me, as well as great constructive criticism about what I publish. I also enjoy seeing my readers interact with each other on my blog. When I’ve asked people why they leave me comments on my blog, many say it’s because of the friendliness I show everyone who comments. I treat anyone who visits my blog as a guest and always ensure I respond to all the comments.
Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?
Not that I’m aware of, although I have been told that I have a talent of writing stories with an unexpected ending that many never guess is coming.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
That most of my writing is done in the morning. I rarely write after lunchtime, although one story I wrote during the middle of the night did end up in Glimpses.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Walking with my partner, John and our Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Toby. Watching television, cycling, and meeting up with friends and family for meals and drinks.
What is the most amusing thing that has ever happened to you? Not particularly to do with your writing.
I got knocked out by an electric potato peeler at the Ideal Home Exhibition in London. It wasn’t funny at the time, but I now laugh about it.
Give us a random fact about yourself.
I have a collection of 24 foot dated Harrods Christmas Teddy bears and over 50 Christmas themed mugs.
Hugh’s Links:
I’m liking the sound of this Book Fair more and more as I read the interviews and see who is going to be there!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Mary. WE’re an eclectic mix indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for asking the questions and for the interview, Judith. Looking forward to seeing you in Narberth.
LikeLike
Thank you for the interesting answers, Hugh. Looking forward to meeting your new addition to the family… And yourself, obviously. x 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Hugh Roberts is the featured author on Judith Barrow’s blog.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Don
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Don. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG this was such a great interview with Hugh and I was delighted to find him here as one of your author interviews, Judith. Hugh makes me laugh – loved the potato peeler story, even though I can’t imagine how on earth that happened? LOL. Yes, Hugh has a gift with his storytelling and his always anticipated unexpected endings with his stories. It’s no surprise he has many readers of his blog because his posts are always either entertaining and/or informative. Just loved this! Hugs to both! xo ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, thank you so much, Debbie. I’m always so glad I found him on social media. He helped me in my early days of blogging. I shared a table with him at a book fair – i was delighted to fin him exactly the same in person as online… a nice chap. 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I remember you two were at a book fair together. Hugh is so helpful to everyone. You just know genuine people, they shine through their words. 🙂 xx
LikeLike
They do indeed; he’s a star! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your lovely words, Debby. You can’t see how much I’m blushing right now. 🤗
Ah, the electric potato peeler incident. Check out the story ‘Blackout’ in Glimpses. It’s the only story in the book based on a personal true incident. 😀
Hugs to you.
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, wish I’d see you blush Hugh. And wow, how come I didn’t know that little tidbit there was a true story in there. I’m drinking my morning coffee now and off to pull out your book again from my shelf. Curiosity abounds!! 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her’s a fountain of knowledge and tales, Debbie.:) x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great interview! Hugh is a great writer and fantastic person too!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Ritu. He is… on both counts. I’m hoping he has many shares, he so deserves it with all the help he gives other bloggers and writers.
LikeLike
So true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Ritu.
xx
LikeLike
😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely author interview with Hugh, Judith. I love that he has a collection of Christmas teddy bears.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your support with our interviews, Robbie. Hugh is a lovely guy and a great writer of short stories. Oh, and a fantastic help with blogger problems- check out his blog posts when you have the time.x
LikeLike
They are growing by the year, Robbie. Last year, Harrods called their Christmas Teddy Bear, Hugh. Wow! How honoured was I? 🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Judith and Hugh. It is easy to see the influence of the Twilight Zone (and it also influenced many of my short stories). I didn’t know about your collections. I hope you keep adding to them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Olga. My partner started the collections off for me. Now, I usually know what’s coming for Christmas. 😀
LikeLike
The Book Fair sounds like it’s going to be fabulous. Wish I lived closer! I have heard so much about Hugh, and it’s nice to get to know him a little better here. Wonderful post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for dropping by. he’s a great chap, our Hugh!! Hopefully it’ll be a great day:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Amy. I’ll be taking photos at the book fair and writing up a post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I look forward to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for dropping by. Will be good to see you there.
LikeLike
You got knocked out by an electric potato peeler! Hugh. never met anyone this has happened to before! Great interview, really enjoyed reading it Judith and Hugh. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know, Marje, poor chap… still… hilarious!!. Thanks for dropping by.:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Marje. Yes, a true story which I laugh about now. I based one of the stories in Glimpses on the incident. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: My Series of Author & Poet Interviews #author #poet Narberth Book Fair#BookFair. Today with Hugh Roberts – Hugh's Views & News
I enjoyed learning more about Hugh! I wish the USA had such wonderful fairs too. I need to check into this. Wishing all authors a terrific time and big sales! Blessings & hugs to you Judith and Hugh! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Janice. Fingers crossed for it being the best book fair yet after six years of building up. One day, I’d like to have authors far and wide. At the moment it’s just UK authors but who knows? ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Best of luck! Fingers are crossed! ❤️
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Janice. We’re making a weekend of it in Narberth and staying the whole weekend. September is also such a beautiful time of the year.
Hugs to you.
Hugh
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers Hugh, it will be lovely to seethe three… er four of you again.x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have fun! Yes, Sept. is nice! 🤗😘
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lovely interview with Hugh! You have been on a mission sharing all these authors as the Book Faire approaches! So the potato peeler story…do tell!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Terri. We are coming to an end of those authors brave enough to face interrogation.LOL As for the potato peeler… it has to be the one image that stays… so, over to Hugh. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Terri. Check out the story ‘Blackout’ in Glimpses. It’s the only true story in the book. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congrats on being a part of the upcoming book fair. It sounds like such an honour and well done. You certainly have come far with dyslexia, the book and being a published author. I still remember your blog when you started it, and thought you were such an engaging writer. And even more so now, and this was such a gracious, down-to-earth interview with Judith.
Maybe that rom com would see the light of day some day. Or maybe you could go back and rewrite it, and rewrite a few more pieces of that genre and turn it all into a book 😀 I think that is the writing genre I most struggle with too. It has never appealed to me, and it’s not a genre that I’ve actually read. Good on you for attempting it, and I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think it is.
Very interesting to hear that you write mainly in the morning and rarely after If it works for you, it works for you. I’m the complete opposite – I only write at night and rarely when the sun is up. To me, night time is when my mind is awake and alert and I’m ready to write and write. Or course a lot of the time I get stuck, but whenever I have inspiration, it tends to strike at night, and usually right before I have to go to bed in preparation for work the next day.
That is quite the collection of teddy bears 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for dropping by and commenting, Mabel. Hugh certainly is one interesting man.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Mabel.
I’ve not let anyone read the rom-com yet, but I quite like what I’ve written. It will probably go straight into my next book once my editor has read it. She was the one who challenged me. I’m glad she did. However, I don’t seem to have any desire to write another rom-com. Not yet, anyway.
I’ve always been a morning person. Once lunchtime has come and gone, I find that my mind is less creative. However, one of the stories in Glimpses was written very late at night.
The Teddy bear collection grows every year. Soon, they will have taken over the house. I’m in trouble if that happens. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck with the rom-com seeing the light of the day. Sounds like sooner rather than later, and I am sure we will all fall in love with it 😀
Grow that Teddy Bear collection, Hugh. I’m growing my stuffed monkey collection each year. They seem very eager for a face off with your Teddies now 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a great idea, Mabel. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great interview, Judith. I’m sorry to be so late in finding it. Hugh is such a delight. Hugs to you both.!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolitely no problem Teagan; you’re always such a great support. I have actually put the last list up of all the authors who wanted to be interviewed 22 out of 40 so not bad. Wi;ll be able to start promoting my preqyuel to the trilogy now which is out 17th August… sigh of relief/ LOl 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awesome, Judith! Congrats and good luck. (Believe me, I understand the sigh of relief. I thought I’d have the “bookized” version of my second blog serial published by spring 2017… yet here I am…)
LikeLike
Life happens to stop dreams sometimes Teagan! ❤ x
LikeLike
Thanks so much. Tegan. And no problem about being late in reading a post. I’m usually at least a week behind but, that way, I get to read more comments.😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
l always enjoy Hugh’s stories. It’s great to learn more about him 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a lovely chap, Diana ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, so wonderful to learn more about Hugh! If you haven’t already done so, I would highly recommend you grab a copy of Glimpses!!! Ha…Twilight Zone…it all makes sense now Hugh 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, I have already read/reviewed our Hugh’s lovely book but thank you for the reminder to everyone here. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, yes that was directed to your readers – sorry about that! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely no problem; I realised that.. was just trying to gee-up others 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Elizabeth. The Twilight Zone is my all time favourite TV show. I would love to follow in the footsteps of its creator Rod Serling. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: Welsh Wednesdays Reblog: Today with Hugh Roberts #author #poet Narberth Book Fair #BookFair. | writerchristophfischer
Many thanks, Christoph.x
LikeLike
It’s always entertaining to read about Hugh. Great interview to both! And I could definitely see you writing TV shows Hugh! Sorry, but once again had to LOL at the potato peeler. 🙂 🙂 xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
he’ll never live the potato peeler incident down, Debby. We might present one to him at the book fair. Haha ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lolllllllllllll. 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always wanted to write an episode of Doctor Who, Debby. Maybe I should put that on my ‘to do’ list. 🤔 I’m never going to be able to live down that electric potato peeler incident now I’ve let the cat out of the bag. I think it’s come back to haunt me. 😂
xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
This is a lovely interview, Judith. I would really love to know exactly how you managed to get knocked out by a potato peeler, Hugh. I reckon you could make a story out of that!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Judy. Yes, it is an image that rather sticks in the mind – she says, holding up the one we have in our kitchen!! 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha!!! Be.Very.Careful!!!! 🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll make sure I don’t trip!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Check out the story ‘Blackout’ in Glimpses, Judy. It’s the only true story in the book and is exactly how it happened. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, how did I miss that? Or is it just too many senior moments!! Whatever, it certainly has ‘struck’ a chord with many people!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHA! Yes I remember that story now, Hugh, the one where Ethan thought he was dead! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the one, Judy. And I really did think I was dead. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
How scary, Hugh!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm… how come I can hear you chuckling as you typd this, Judy? 🙂 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
HA! You have got me sussed Judith!! 😈😈😈
LikeLike
Chortle!! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person