Mark Hayhurst Interviewed by Waterstones
What was your favourite childhood book?
It’s a toss up between The BFG by Roald Dahl or The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
Which book has made you laugh?
Every book I’ve read has had something in it that’s made me laugh but Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett are probably the one’s that are funniest from start to finish.
Which book has made you cry?
I try and stay away from things that make me cry but Steven Kings ‘On Writing’ put a lump in my throat.
Which book would you never have on your bookshelf?
Anything published my Mills & Boon
Which book are you reading at the moment?
The Steep Approach To Garbadale – Iain Banks
Which book would you give to a friend as a present?
Mine of course or something by Iain Banks if they’re readers, or something by Lee Child if they think they don’t like to read (that’ll change their minds)
Which other writers do you admire?
Irvine Welsh, Iain Banks, Ben Elton, Lee Child (for different reasons)
Which classic have you always meant to read and never got round to it?
Lord Of The Rings
What are your top five books of all time, in order or otherwise?
Filth by Irvine Welsh, The Bridge by Iain Banks, The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, Die Trying – Lee Child, 100th Man – Jack Kerley
What is the worst book you have ever read?
I’ve not finished it yet but Steep Approach To Garbadale by Iain Banks is shaping up to be pretty poor.
Is there a particular book or author that inspired you to be a writer?
Irvine Welsh’s Filth
What is your favourite time of day to write?
Whenever the inspiration hits me, no set time.
And favourite place?
I’ve changed my dining room into my office, but it’s a busy place to work, Guitars, TV, Xbox, Nintendo, HiFi, nice art, comfy sofas. I’ve written my best work when I’ve got a few friends in there with me enjoying themselves. I’m at my worst when it’s quiet. I also seem to get hit by waves of creativity when I’m on holiday (The last 20% of Friday At The Nobody Inn was hand written under a parasol by a pool in Crete in 5 days)
Longhand or word processor?
Word processor wherever possible, I can type at the same speed I think but I write slowly.
Which fictional character would you most like to have met?
Hannibal Lectar – As long as there was a wall between us or Jessica Rabbit maybe.
Who, in your opinion, is the greatest writer of all time?
Of all time!? I’m not getting into that one.
Which book have you found yourself unable to finish?
American Psycho – I keep trying but it makes my brain hurt (I’ve got very close to the end!). One of the very few occasions where the film surpasses the book in every way in my opinion.
What is your favourite word?
Chandrion
Other than writing, what other jobs or professions have you undertaken or considered?
Rock Star, Sales Consultant and everyone’s favourite - Bar Staff. I’m still working on Rock Star.
What was the first piece you ever had in print?
Friday At The Nobody Inn
What are you working on at the moment?
Two Books, Psychotic Justice - An emotionally unstable rookie policeman is on the trail of a serial killer that keeps picking victims with so many alibis that he can’t convince anyone the incidents are linked. In and amongst an amnesiac tries to piece together his life story and ensure it has a happy ending. Anchor Point - Two successful award winning comedy writers struggle to get re-commissioned after the drastic flop that was their second series and retreat with their families to the holiday home they stayed in as students where they originally came up with most of their ideas. Unfortunately they overlook the fact that a lot of the characters in their series were based on people from this village and as winter begins to set in things take a sinister turn. The writers and their families are trapped in the house and the village begin to execute their long overdue revenge plans.
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