Exclusive Interview with
Andrew R Williams
When did you start writing?
My first book was technical "A Practical Guide to Alterations and Extension published in 1995. by Spon
What makes writing your passion?
Once I'd published my first book I needed to create more. I have now moved into science fiction and enjoy every minute of it.
How long have you been writing?
Since 1994
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
It was a fantastic feeling. All that hard work had come to fruition.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Every character I use is put into the Google bar. If real person pops up I change the name slightly and put back into Google. Eventually, I find an "unlisted" name. I don't want someone to come along and be offended.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
I'll skip
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Keep on writing. Eventually, the block goes. As we now have word processors there is no need to waste anything. No paper rolled up in a ball and tossed at the waste paper bin. Put it in dump file. A month down the line, you will suddenly realize you can adapt it.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Keep on writing and invest in Grammarly. It's not perfect but it throws up challenges and makes a better writer. NB There are alternatives that other authors swear by.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I'll skip
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Luckily I have not had many bad reviews when a bad one turns up you have to ignore it unless it's valid. Most aren't. I had one reviewer who said "pity it the novel wasn't written in the first person." I write in the third person. First-person is not my style.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Good reviews are encouraging
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
All the time. Write what you know about. "Jim's Revenge" contained a great deal from personal experience. For instance, when I was a surveyor I once went around a drug dealer's house. I saw the gravel drives, reinforced doors, cameras dotted around, and the secret compartments to stash drugs I used what I saw in my novel.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
None of my characters are based on myself. It's not the way I write.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Sadly yes. People do judge a book by its cover. So get a cover professionally designed.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I will be going to Comic Com in November 2021 in Liverpool. One of the main reasons for going is to connect with my readers. If you are going to Comic Com I would love to talk to you.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
It's great when someone says that they couldn't put my book down. It's a job well done.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
There are a lot of authors I have read over the years and enjoyed and admired. As a boy WE Johns. Biggles books They were exciting. HG Wells, The War of the Worlds is still a fantastic story. Nevil Shute - A Town Like Alice and the Pied Piper are wartime classics. Dennis Wheatley - The Satanist was gripping because he met Aleister Crowley a black witch and took him as the main bad guy. John Wyndham - The Midwich Cuckoos. It was a great book and was made into the film Village of the Damned. The Lost World -Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - The man who made everyone scared of pterodactyls. Vladimir Peniakoff who fought in North Africa during the Second World War and wrote Popsky's Private Army. The list goes on. I have also watched and loved Riddick, the Alien and Terminator series. There are some very clever effects and danger all the way.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
The dream would be to have one of my books televised / movie.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Not at the moment. But never say never.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I'll skip
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I haven't been badly trolled luckily. I have been single-starred without any name or comment as to why. I ignore them. If you answer it just encourages them.
What would you say to your readers?
Thanks for reading this. I hope to see some of you at Comic Com in liverpool.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in a village called Rainhill which was made famous by the Rainhill Trials. My wife is Geraldine. No kids but I have nephews and niece.
What is your day job if you have one?
I was a surveyor but I recently retired and am now concentrating on my writing
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
Writing, very basic astronomy. Before the pandemic eating out and touring the UK. Hopefully, that will soon become safe again.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Mainly happy.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
The success of my technical books made me want to try writing sci-fi
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have another sci-fi novel that is complete and has had its first edit. It's called Superior and will be out shortly.
The novel starts with a drug factory being destroyed with demolition charges and Tony Kinfrank only just manages to escape the blast in a stolen 4 x 4.
Kinfrank goes into hiding because Slash and Byrne, the company who own the factory are after him.
Ambronootrop (also known as noots ) is popular with students because it increases intelligence and increases their chance of a good degree. Unfortunately, it can also cause madness and sometimes death. Most of the drug taker's skulls start to enlarge
Slash and Bryne also have political ambitions.
Michael Ventiquatro (the boss of Slash And Byrne) is hoping to use the new drug to encourage the British Electorate to vote for his Progressive Party
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
I'll skip
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
To be better able to connect with my audience
Hope that I meet some fans at Comic Com
That TV or silver screen wants to turn my books into movies.
What is your favorite music?
I like to listen to Classic FM when I'm driving. Hope my tastes don't offend.
Share a secret with us 🙂
If I told you my secret I'd have to kill you.