Author of “Moondust”

By Julie Obermiller

British author Cleveland W. Gibson has written many short works, and has put together a collection of some of his most intriguing to tempt you. The recently published Moondust (see the review in this issue of M-E) will give you a taste of Gibson's creative efforts. He promises a fantasy novel soon, and Moondust readers will no doubt be eagerly awaiting the further travels of his imagination. From his home in Faringdon, Oxon , England he answered some questions about the journey from inner thought to published book.

Q. Moondust is a collection of stories hard to slot in one genre. There's a touch of mystery, horror, suspense, supernatural and more. Did you write toward a specific audience or genre?
A. I really think I aimed at an audience who might love adventure; the sort of reader who sees ' Treasure Island ,' 'Beau Geste' and even 'Dracula' as an adventure. I enjoyed the writing and hoped to convey that 'adventure' to the reader.

Q. Do you write what you, as a reader, enjoy? What makes your own personal reading list?
A. I do write what I enjoy reading. But I'm told I ought to be able to write about anything. So, I'm changing now a little. I've read fantastic stories and everyone has caught my attention in some little way. I think it must be the plot. I'm also captured by what I call dramatic narrative. There is no slowing down, the pace is everything and so is the wow factor.

Q. When writing a story, do you have a beginning, a plot and an end before you put it down, or does it evolve as you go?
A. Crazy as it may seem, everything about a story will be there in my head, everything worked out. However, in the writing it often changes even as I put pen to paper. I might drag in a flashback from the middle to start the story. Sometimes it works. I might even start with a dream if it is compulsive matter.

Q. What finally made you start writing; at what stage of your life?
A. Looking back it was something tragic. When training to be a lifeguard I often talked with my mate's son who wanted to write. So every week in the pub I gave the son my ideas, just ideas. Then one day the son died through drinking too much and being caught out in the snow. All the ideas I gave him never got used. So it was then I started writing with a message for young kids. And then I moved onto adult stories.

Q. Would readers who have indulged in the suspense, insanity and terror of your stories be surprised at how "normal" you are?
A. That's a compliment. The best terror stories are those which are everyday events, but changed a little. That little twist will take your 'normal' to new heights.

Q. What made you choose these periods of time as the setting for your stories? Is there a lot of ongoing research for period authenticity?
A. No real reason. I guess it turned out that way. I hope it works. Research is the answer but what is the most difficult part is writing with confidence in a set period. I'm currently working on a science fiction story in 5th century China and it is quite difficult, especially when I want to introduce 'things' to date the period… which might follow, say, up to the present date.

Q. Your collection of stories is so varied, without a common theme. Are they reflective of different periods of your writing or just a change of mood with inspiration?
A. I think they indicate how something might have been the spark to my creativity. It could be a TV drama, a newspaper cutting or remarks heard on the radio. Anything could be the trigger.

Q. What's a typical writing day like for you?
A. Nothing's typical because of my family duties. I gave up full time work to look after my son after his back operation. I still do. I also teach ESOL to students in their own homes, and want to teach creative writing. I do household duties and still mange to get some writing tucked in there somewhere. The writing part is refreshing and fills my thoughts.

Q. Is editing harder than writing the actual novel, as some suggest? How hard is it to edit, and cut, your own work?
A. Editing is really hard. To edit my own work is hard. A trick is to edit one story and write another in the same day, rather than edit all the time. It is worth trying.

Q. What is it like to read, review or even edit another person's story?
A. I'm happy to do all that with special care. I've always noticed a change when another writer knows I'm on his side. After the review they then tell me, with a laugh, of all the faults they aim to avoid. It makes for happy writing all round.

Q. What's your opinion of the current mystery/suspense offerings? Do new writers have a chance to break the ranks of prolific best-selling authors? Do you think "brand name buyers" are reluctant to "go generic?" Does that make it tough for new authors?
A. Lots of good writers have stories on the shelves. Yes, new writers do have a chance to rise against famous authors but they need help at all times to do so. I do think 'brand name buyers' don't often 'go generic'. It does indeed make it hard work for the new authors to get their voice heard.

Q. When a book is finally written, edited and printed, the hard work is just beginning; don't you agree? Do you have any final cautions or advice for the hopeful beginner?
A. I agree. To sell the book is the hard work. My own advice to any
hopeful is to find another writer and give each other encouragement.
It is really the bottom line when it comes to keep going and finishing
the novel. An editor rejected my first story but said 'I expect to see more.'
That encouragement was enough; for me it worked.

Read more Gibson at www.LauraHird.com . The author also plans a website at www.ClevelandWGibson.co.uk

Win a copy of “Moondust!”

Just email me at juliechatterbox@msn.com , with Moondust in the subject. A winner will be drawn from all entries.