Indie Scribe Magazine June 2014 | Page 16

What is a typical day for you?

I don’t have a typical day, really. I write at least one book a year, which isn’t enough and am currently going through the hard drive to see if there is any work I can serialise/mashup/pirate and /or publish.

After The Night Porter, my last book, I am creatively drained and have not written a word. Not a word. I cannot see me writing anything other than notes in the next six months.

But when I DO work, I produce books like a male rabbit produces bunnies after an afternoon on the magic carrots. And that means writing up to 5000 words a day.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

At the minute, sleep! I have been unwell for a month with an unwanted and debilitating episode of a long term digestive illness. I actually think I am allergic to all kinds of food (except kebabs, but no-one believes me on that.) Other than that, and the work I mentioned, I bet on horses and greyhounds in the summer, watch Notts County in the winter, listen to metal (currently listening to Motorhead as I type), admire my comic collection and read prodigiously.

Twice a year I clean my house in spring and autumn and on occasion, I have fantasies about being a pub singer called Mike Champagne.

Mark Barry