18Q Cleveland W. Gibson

Cleveland W. Gibson

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?

It chose me. I supplied ideas to a friend who never used them because he died. So, I started with two SF stories as a tribute to him.

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)

I was born In India, educated in England and have a multi culture type background. I have a chemical/technical background, but worked for the Government for many years on promotional projects. Road Race Director

for 10 years. Organizer.

3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?

When my first story was rejected but the editor wanted more. He published two cover stories after that.

4. How would you describe your style of writing?

I write direct in a compulsive and dramatic narrative form. Often in 3rd person but also in gripping 1st person.

5. What is your writing process?

I get an idea. From my choice of ‘starts’ and ‘finishes’ in my brain I can complete a story, but yet make it original.

6. What was your path to publication?

One Poe-type story ‘The Trophy Room’ was published four times and ended up with me getting a three book contract. Moondust is my first book of short stories. A YA is next. Then a SF short story collection.

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?

I found it useful to use a free tool called link tiles. Read loads of my work, see/order my latest book and read about anything I might be working on. All by using link tiles as the link: http://linktiles.com?tile=641

8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

The real way in which the publishing industry works . ‘Behind the scenes’ has a new meaning when a book that sells well, may not be a good book after all.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?

I’m inspired by how I feel, what grips me from within and makes me want to tell others how it really was. Often my source comes from what I read whether it is a book or a short story. I might not even like a film and then I’d want to do better than that film.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?

When I had two highly dramatic pieces of narrative accepted on the Laura Hird website. Both were short, but packed an explosive and tear jerking punch when it got to people. I know because they told me.

11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

Forget about your ego and write as much as you read so make sure of reading a lot.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?

When I asked a friend to read a story and forgot to include a crucial page in the middle of the story. I was never allowed to forget about how they felt cheated at the most important part in the horror story. They wanted to find out what happened.

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?

[Not Answered]

14. What is your writer life philosophy?

Aim to entertain and keep both feet on the ground. Nobody is too important to talk to fans. I’m hoping to pick up some fans and when I do I guess I’ll listen to what they say.

15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?

I love to visit the pub or go to social events with my family and to talk to people. When we travel abroad I combine everything and it really is fun to meet people from different countries.

16. Who do you like to read?

H.E. Bates; DH Lawrence; Graham Greene; Leslie Chartres; Dennis Wheatley; Andrew Collins; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle , Peter Chenney and many others.

17. What’s your advice for new writers?

Get a fellow writer as a friend. Nobody gets published on their own as it is really team work. Listen to what is said about your work and read up on editing skills. Don’t submit work full of stupid errors. And please keep writing not for perfection, but for an excellent finished product.

18. What are you currently working on?

A fast paced YA adventure derived from an impossible situation; it is a 29 chapter fantasy novel with breath taking consequences and a stunning finish. Also co-writing a YA with an EPPE 2004 and 2005 finalist, plus some short stories and a ghost-writing project for the community.

Cleveland’s 18Q