Tell us about yourself.:
I live on a canal boat in the south of England with my husband and our Romanian rescue dog, Bella, and our elderly cat. We’ve been on the boat for ten years now and before that we lived in France where I learnt to speak fluent French pretty quickly.
I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (High Functioning Autism) after two of my now grownup sons were, and that explained a lot to me, especially my life long love of horses and my obsession with all things Arthurian.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Hampshire in the south of England with parents who read to me every night and who were very interested in books and education. I developed an early love of reading that naturally progressed to wanting to write my own stories – principally about ponies as I was obsessed by them.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I can sit and write all day long if I have the urge, with just a few comfort breaks. 12 hours is not unusual for me.
What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Hampshire in the south of England with parents who read to me every night and who were very interested in books and education. I developed an early love of reading that naturally progressed to wanting to write my own stories – principally about ponies as I was obsessed by them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. If you are a good writer, someone, one day, will recognise that. It took me forever to get a publisher but I did it in the end.
Join Critique Circle – friendly, helpful, educational. It worked for me.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
The best advice I had was being told to join an online writing group – Critique Circle. Thousands of members all over the world, all with the same interests as I have. I'm still on there. It taught me so much and helped me to my goal of publication. I'm so glad I joined it.
What are you reading now?
I've just finished a non-fiction book called The Five, about Jack the Ripper's victims. Nothing about the actual crimes, but the author has deeply researched the backgrounds of the five unfortunate women. A great portrait of working class life in the second half of the nineteenth century. Made me very glad I live now.
What’s your biggest weakness?
I guess we're not talking about writing here – so my biggest weakness would be my love of chocolate! Galaxy to be exact, and Maltesers. So easy to become a couch potato while sitting writing all day and to pick away at a LARGE bar of chocolate until it's all gone. Drat it – now I'm longing for some right now!
What is your favorite book of all time?
My favourite author is probably Nevil Shute and although there are a fair few of his to choose from I think I'd have to say The Chequer Board is my favourite – it's all about redemption and how people can change for the better. Very moving and I could read it again and again.
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to walk our dog, sew, knit, take care of our allotment, and read of course. I'm never bored. Not ever.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
The earliest I can remember was from when I was about six or seven and read The Jungle Book in its original form. I loved it. I was a precocious reader from age five so had read a lot of books for older children by the age of seven. My dad would take me to the local library every week and I read my way through the entire children's section particularly enjoying the books about various culture's mythology. But that wasn't what sparked my interest in King Arthur – that was being taken to see the Disney film!
What has inspired you and your writing style?
I think I have a drive to represent the Arthurian Dark Ages in their gritty reality – I love painting a picture of the scenes with words, and I know my readers have liked that. I think actual history (not the romantic later stories) inspired me the most.
What are you working on now?
I'm just revising the final book in the series – I'm on the polishing stage. I also have a YA scifi I'm working on, in a sort of on and off fashion. Then I intend to do some sewing to ring the changes and have a rest!
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I'm not good at self promo! I do a lot of advertising on facebook and have done some on amazon, but I am definitely not the one to ask about this.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I'd like to get my YA and children's books published. They're written but need a publisher.
How well do you work under pressure?
I don't know – I never feel like I'm under pressure. Perhaps I just don't feel it even when it's there so maybe I should answer 'very well' to this question.
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
I like to write in first person and the character I'm writing tends to govern the tone I take. My Guinevere books are narrated by Gwen herself, and as she's from the 21st century she can be a bit snarky when she encounters things she doesn't like. My YA books are narrated by a 13-year-old boy (he ends up aged 16) so I had to take a different tone for him, modelling him a little on my own teenage son who is very precocious.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
If you'd like to talk to me about my books, just get in touch. I'd love to chat with anyone who's enjoyed them, and answer any questions you have. And please go and visit the sites I use in the books – they're all so interesting. I've been to all of them myself, the better to describe them.
Fil Reid’s Author Websites and Profiles
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