MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 396
July 18, 2013
History Trivia - Rome burns
July 18
390 BC Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia – a Roman army was defeated by raiding Gauls, leading to the subsequent sacking of Rome.
64 Great fire of Rome: a fire started in the merchant area of Rome near Circus Maximus and much of the city was destroyed while Emperor Nero allegedly fiddled.
1290 King Edward I of England issued the Edict of Expulsion, banishing all Jews (numbering about 16,000) from England.
1334 The bishop of Florence blessed the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by the artist Giotto di Bondone.
1389 Kingdom of France and Kingdom of England agreed to the Truce of Leulinghem, inaugurating a 13 year peace; the longest period of sustained peace during the Hundred Years War.
1536 The Pope's authority was declared void in England.
390 BC Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia – a Roman army was defeated by raiding Gauls, leading to the subsequent sacking of Rome.
64 Great fire of Rome: a fire started in the merchant area of Rome near Circus Maximus and much of the city was destroyed while Emperor Nero allegedly fiddled. 
1290 King Edward I of England issued the Edict of Expulsion, banishing all Jews (numbering about 16,000) from England.
1334 The bishop of Florence blessed the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by the artist Giotto di Bondone.
1389 Kingdom of France and Kingdom of England agreed to the Truce of Leulinghem, inaugurating a 13 year peace; the longest period of sustained peace during the Hundred Years War.
1536 The Pope's authority was declared void in England.
July 17, 2013
BEARDED SCRUTINY: EPISODE 48 - TOP TEN COMEDIES
BEARDED SCRUTINY: EPISODE 48 - TOP TEN COMEDIES: SHOW SYNOPSIS: It's time for another top ten list! This week the team counts down their favorite comedies, actually agrees on a cou...
The Wizards Cauldron Index: Every Interview EVER on the Wizard's Cauldron...IN...
The Wizards Cauldron Index: Every Interview EVER on the Wizard's Cauldron...IN...: Collage of work written by authors featured on The Wizard's Cauldron There will only be ever one page on this blog. Find your f...
Mary Ann Bernal stirs the Wizard's Cauldron and reviews Mark Barry's novels
RED ALERT - Mark Barry's highly anticipated sequel to Ultra Violence will be released next month. That's right, Violent Disorder will be available early August, 2013. See you on Amazon!
I am a great fan of Indie author, Mark Barry, and love his work. Picking a favorite is not easy, since the stories are all exceptional and well written, and cover a variety of genres. In an attempt to be fair, so you can judge for yourself, I have decided on an alphabetical listing. Would love to discuss Mr. Barry's works once you've read the novels.
Carla
Carla is the story of a perceived mentally-ill person, John Dexter, who shares his story truthfully about his psychiatric illnesses, hospitalizations, and his obsessive love for a woman half his age. He speaks to the reader, as if writing a blog, sharing painful memories with acceptance, his writings cathartic, purging his fear. The story held my interest to the very last page and I look forward to reading more novels by this author.
Hollywood Shakedown
The author has expertly woven a tale of greed and lust into a compelling story of a ruthless man’s quest to obtain a missing manuscript. The wealthy Mortimer Saxon coerces Buddy Chinn to do his bidding, tempting the alcoholic writer with money, but threatening his life and the life of his woman, Monique, should he fail. We are introduced to many worlds in this thriller, from racetracks and bars to chess tournaments and British football. Mr. Barry immerses the reader quickly into the intrigue, an enjoyable page turner that is difficult to put down. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
Kid Atomic
Kid Atomic is a story about Kevin Taylor who has joined a protest group on University, and soon finds himself dangerously involved with a radical faction whose sole purpose is to destroy Great Britain. Mr. Barry expertly weaves into story the complexities of coming of age as Kevin deals with a myriad of emotions, from dealing with bullies to falling in love. Once Kevin becomes the keeper of the Device, the opportunity for vengeance suddenly is a reality, but could he destroy everyone, including himself in the process? No spoilers here. An enjoyable story.
The Illustrated Woman
The Illustrated Woman is a story about a young woman’s choices in the game of life. Despite Emily’s normal upbringing, extenuating circumstances leaves her on her own, struggling to raise her 8-year-old daughter with a limited income. Emily’s obsession with having her life’s story told on her body via various tattoo designs is the catalyst for her descent into the seedy world of prostitution. Despite Emily’s chosen profession, she still dreams of being married to the man she loves, knowing he will never make the commitment. Mr. Barry manages to shed light into Emily’s psyche - the reader knows why Emily makes poor choices, eliciting sympathy rather than condemnation. An excellent story for this genre.
The Ritual
The Ritual is an interesting take on a satanic theme whereby the devil returns to earth and claims a human bride. The story begins when Phillippa and her daughter Jennifer travel from the US to Wheatley Fields, England, so that Phillippa could be near her brother, Damon, in his darkest hour. Mother and daughter are seen at the airport, quite by chance, by a member of religious cult who believes Phillippa resembles the woman that had been instrumental in establishing the Church’s formation in the last century, and plans are quickly put into place to prepare for the sacrificial rites, and the return of Satan to rule the world. Mr. Barry’s story captivates the reader with its twists and turns - a page turner that builds up to a suspenseful crescendo, which culminates in an unexpected ending. An excellent horror story that will cause nightmares, if one is not into horror and the occult.
Ultra Violence
Mr. Barry delves the reader into the bygone days of British football where team followers of Notts County clash with the myriad of opposing fans, resulting in violent clashes on game day.The story revolves around a middle-aged man whose life is in turmoil - a failed marriage, a disinterested son and a career on the line. He suddenly finds himself reunited with friends from his youthful past, and while nostalgic memories are forefront, replicating events from an earlier era becomes a reality.I enjoyed this story and recommend it to both men and women.
I am a great fan of Indie author, Mark Barry, and love his work. Picking a favorite is not easy, since the stories are all exceptional and well written, and cover a variety of genres. In an attempt to be fair, so you can judge for yourself, I have decided on an alphabetical listing. Would love to discuss Mr. Barry's works once you've read the novels.
Carla
Carla is the story of a perceived mentally-ill person, John Dexter, who shares his story truthfully about his psychiatric illnesses, hospitalizations, and his obsessive love for a woman half his age. He speaks to the reader, as if writing a blog, sharing painful memories with acceptance, his writings cathartic, purging his fear. The story held my interest to the very last page and I look forward to reading more novels by this author.
Hollywood Shakedown
The author has expertly woven a tale of greed and lust into a compelling story of a ruthless man’s quest to obtain a missing manuscript. The wealthy Mortimer Saxon coerces Buddy Chinn to do his bidding, tempting the alcoholic writer with money, but threatening his life and the life of his woman, Monique, should he fail. We are introduced to many worlds in this thriller, from racetracks and bars to chess tournaments and British football. Mr. Barry immerses the reader quickly into the intrigue, an enjoyable page turner that is difficult to put down. I look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
Kid Atomic
Kid Atomic is a story about Kevin Taylor who has joined a protest group on University, and soon finds himself dangerously involved with a radical faction whose sole purpose is to destroy Great Britain. Mr. Barry expertly weaves into story the complexities of coming of age as Kevin deals with a myriad of emotions, from dealing with bullies to falling in love. Once Kevin becomes the keeper of the Device, the opportunity for vengeance suddenly is a reality, but could he destroy everyone, including himself in the process? No spoilers here. An enjoyable story.
The Illustrated Woman
The Illustrated Woman is a story about a young woman’s choices in the game of life. Despite Emily’s normal upbringing, extenuating circumstances leaves her on her own, struggling to raise her 8-year-old daughter with a limited income. Emily’s obsession with having her life’s story told on her body via various tattoo designs is the catalyst for her descent into the seedy world of prostitution. Despite Emily’s chosen profession, she still dreams of being married to the man she loves, knowing he will never make the commitment. Mr. Barry manages to shed light into Emily’s psyche - the reader knows why Emily makes poor choices, eliciting sympathy rather than condemnation. An excellent story for this genre.
The Ritual
The Ritual is an interesting take on a satanic theme whereby the devil returns to earth and claims a human bride. The story begins when Phillippa and her daughter Jennifer travel from the US to Wheatley Fields, England, so that Phillippa could be near her brother, Damon, in his darkest hour. Mother and daughter are seen at the airport, quite by chance, by a member of religious cult who believes Phillippa resembles the woman that had been instrumental in establishing the Church’s formation in the last century, and plans are quickly put into place to prepare for the sacrificial rites, and the return of Satan to rule the world. Mr. Barry’s story captivates the reader with its twists and turns - a page turner that builds up to a suspenseful crescendo, which culminates in an unexpected ending. An excellent horror story that will cause nightmares, if one is not into horror and the occult.
Ultra Violence
Mr. Barry delves the reader into the bygone days of British football where team followers of Notts County clash with the myriad of opposing fans, resulting in violent clashes on game day.The story revolves around a middle-aged man whose life is in turmoil - a failed marriage, a disinterested son and a career on the line. He suddenly finds himself reunited with friends from his youthful past, and while nostalgic memories are forefront, replicating events from an earlier era becomes a reality.I enjoyed this story and recommend it to both men and women.
The Phil Naessens Show 7-17-2013 The New York Mets Heinous Second Half Schedule
http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/the-phil-naessens-show-7-17-2013-the-new-york-mets-heinous-second-half-schedule/
Jeremy Hefner and Zack Wheeler were two bright spots this past week for the New York Mets. Blogging Mets Mark Berman joins host Phil Naessens to discuss Hefner, Wheeler, the heinous second half schedule and the rest of the happenings around Mets land on today’s Phil Naessens Show
Jeremy Hefner and Zack Wheeler were two bright spots this past week for the New York Mets. Blogging Mets Mark Berman joins host Phil Naessens to discuss Hefner, Wheeler, the heinous second half schedule and the rest of the happenings around Mets land on today’s Phil Naessens Show
The Wizard's Cauldron: A Beltane Bulletin....an Interview with Elise Harr...
The Wizard's Cauldron: A Beltane Bulletin....an Interview with Elise Harr...: Lucky Wizard that I am, I met Sue Lobo, the brilliant expatriate poet last year, and every day, she brightens my timeline with a range of s...
History Trivia - King Edward the Elder of England died
July 17
924 King Edward the Elder of England died. He became king in 899 upon the death of his father, Alfred the Great. His court was at Winchester, previously the capital of Wessex. He captured the eastern Midlands and East Anglia from the Danes in 917 and became ruler of Mercia in 918 upon the death of Æthelflæd, his sister. He was the second king of the Anglo-Saxons as this title was created by his father.
1203 The Fourth Crusade captured Constantinople by assault. The Byzantine emperor Alexius III Angelus fled from his capital into exile.
1453 The French defeated the English at the Battle of Castillon, in the last clash of the Hundred Years War.
1586 A meeting took place at Lüneburg between several some evangelical Princes and Electors, and representatives of the King of Navarre, the King of Denmark and the Queen of England in order to discuss the formation of an evangelical league of defense, called the Confederatio Militiae Evangelicae, against the Catholic League.
924 King Edward the Elder of England died. He became king in 899 upon the death of his father, Alfred the Great. His court was at Winchester, previously the capital of Wessex. He captured the eastern Midlands and East Anglia from the Danes in 917 and became ruler of Mercia in 918 upon the death of Æthelflæd, his sister. He was the second king of the Anglo-Saxons as this title was created by his father.
1203 The Fourth Crusade captured Constantinople by assault. The Byzantine emperor Alexius III Angelus fled from his capital into exile.
1453 The French defeated the English at the Battle of Castillon, in the last clash of the Hundred Years War.
1586 A meeting took place at Lüneburg between several some evangelical Princes and Electors, and representatives of the King of Navarre, the King of Denmark and the Queen of England in order to discuss the formation of an evangelical league of defense, called the Confederatio Militiae Evangelicae, against the Catholic League.
GaryDolman: Red Dragon - White Dragon (May 2013)
GaryDolman: Red Dragon - White Dragon (May 2013): Atticus and Lucie Fox are summoned by the bombastic Sir Hugh Lowther to his estate in remote Northumberland to investigate a series...
July 16, 2013
Kindle edition specials - Wendy Steele novels are 99 cents through July 31, 2013
SUMMER SPECIAL! ***
From 17th July until the end of the month, all Wendy Steele books will be 99 pence or 99 cents! Go on....treat yourself to a summer read:-) Visit Wendy's Amazon author page to view all 5 titles:-) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365459567&sr=1-2-ent
or http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
From 17th July until the end of the month, all Wendy Steele books will be 99 pence or 99 cents! Go on....treat yourself to a summer read:-) Visit Wendy's Amazon author page to view all 5 titles:-) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365459567&sr=1-2-ent
or http://www.amazon.com/Wendy-Steele/e/B007VZ1P06/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Mark Barry Gives Hollywood a Shakedown - featured on Gladiator's Pen
http://gladiatorspen.blogspot.com/2013/07/mark-barry-gives-hollywood-shakedown.html
Gladiator's Pen
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
We’re talking about your book Hollywood Shakedown today. Can you tell us what inspired this story? I’m a huge fan of Charles Bukowski, and the main character in Hollywood Shakedown is the mythical son of Bukowski’s alter-ego, Henry Chinaski. He’s called Buddy and he’s just like his dad! Two friends of mine inspired the novel. First, my friend in Houston, Paul Vani, challenged me to write a short story, and at exactly the same time, my much more local friend, Clive la Court, inspired me to write a fiction novel. I combined the two challenges and wrote about some of my favourite things. Comics, horse racing, football, LA, London, women, crime, food and weirdly named worldwide pubs.
There is a scene that takes place at Hollywood Park, which is sadly, about to close after 75years. Can you tell us about that and the roll the racetrack plays as a setting? I’m really annoyed and feel completely impotent about the closure of Hollywood Park. Over here, a place with Hollywood Park’s kind of history would have a Listed notice slapped on its gates and the developers clapped in irons. Did you know they’re replacing it with a retail and residential development??? Like, LA doesn’t have any malls. I have four months to make enough money to visit – it has been one of my ambitions. In the first chapter of the book, Buddy is tracked down by two goons who discover him in the stands of the Park. I try to put across the sounds and smells of the racetrack (see below) and also the baffling decline of horse racing as a spectator sport in the US. The book is full of racing – Bukowski raced there, too.
Was there a chapter, or scene, or part of the novel that was difficult to write, and if so why? Most of it was quite tough. I once wrote a novel in eighteen days. This one took nine months, labouring over
every line for this because it was my first work of fiction. The last chapter, which most people like, was very tough. I didn’t want to ruin the payoff – nothing worse than that, as a reader.
If you had one day to live inside of this book, how would you spend it? I actually did! The gang watch an FA Cup match between Fulham and Notts County on the banks of the River Thames. I support the latter and the chapter is exactly as it sounds.
Do you have a favorite part or moment in the book you would like to share? “The men walked up the stairs and into the main betting hall. Five bucks a piece found its way into the hands of a stony faced black woman in a red neckerchief. Like the track, she'd seen better days. Ramirez said something under his breath but the woman scarcely noticed, de-sensitised to everything but the thought of getting out of there. It was livelier inside than they expected: Bettors milled around the cacophonous hall, hundreds queuing at the windows, sitting in the carrels, some perusing the Form, others smoking, scanning the cheat sheets and Indian Charlie. The air was blue with cigarette smoke and smelled of tobacco, tacos, cheese food, hot dogs and warm beer - all mixed up with the usual gambler's cocktail of sweat, fear, excitement and anticipation. Yet even a pair of racing agnostics like Bishop and Ramirez could palpably sense the tradition and the heritage. The smoky trails of Walter Matthau's Marlboro, or Bing Crosby's briar pipe; Hollywood was seeped in movie culture. Every banister, every railing, every corkboard tile was dripping in it. Despite the best efforts of the hunched janitors in orange coveralls and their five-foot brushes
wielded like pikes, dead tickets found the floor with unerring accuracy. The joint was a firetrap waiting to happen. One reckless cigarette butt in the bin could see them all go to hell. The crowd's optimistic chatter and the frenetic pulse of the simulcasted commentaries from tracks around the country, from Aqueduct and Sunland and Oaklawn, accompanied the two men as they passed through the betting hall.
“Bet the ponies, Bishop?” Ramirez asked as they made their way outside into the sunlight, their brogue heels tapping sharply and noisily on the floor. The older man shook his head. His craggy features never moved. “Stocks.” He replied.” That's the smart boy's gamble.” (Chapter One)
What are three things you must have when you write? The Inuit hunting cap my friend and reader, Kelly Sherwood, gave me for Christmas 2010. Music. My writing voice nagging at me.
What element or elements do you believe make a story great? Writing and vocabulary to start with. I like writers who take risks, who break the rules and try to push the envelope. Martin Amis is my all time favourite. What he can do with a sentence is sublime. Sadly, Indie is full of Novel Writing 101. Every great story breaks rules. I love the adverb. I would start every sentence with And, if I could. The latest diktat from the Creative Writing gurus, “Show, Not Tell”, has caused a sturm-and-drang conformity, which has hamstrung the development of writing (and writers) because it has become a meaningless cliché. Well timed exposition and stories within stories can turn a novel from a good story to a classic: Indie authors have forgotten that.
Do you write as the muse hits or do you have a set ‘work day’? For a year, I wrote full time. Now, I’m working again, so I have to write when I can. As Paul Auster said,
really early mornings and late weekend nights. I wrote the bulk of Carla in a weekend, so I am best under pressure. I suffer from insane bursts of creativity.
How do you avoid or deal with distractions when in the writing zone? I’m lucky that I live on my own so I can do my own thing. The Internet, and particularly Facebook, was once a huge distraction I struggled to beat, but my addiction to social networks seems to have abated.
Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Of name authors, I worship Martin Amis, with the exception of his latest, which is bemusingly bad. I have also read everything by Paul Auster, Charles Bukowski, Henry Miller, Liz Jensen and John King. Of Indies, Suzanne van Rooyen, who writes YA and science fiction, Emma Edwards, who is making a stir with a quirky vampire novel set in Wales. Mary Ann Bernal writes innovative historical fiction and Ngaire Elder is a much-underrated children’s writer who should be much better known than she is.
What can we expect next from Mark Barry? Is there another tale being spun and/or event coming up that you can share with us? I’ve just finished the sequel to my top selling football book, Ultra Violence. It’s called Violent Disorder and it should be out on August 1st. I’m also writing a contemporary fiction novel about the lost generation in Nottingham, called Keith The Philosopher; a crime fiction novel called Painful Death and an anthology about sex, death and food; so, I’m busy.
What would you like to say to fans or fellow authors? Try to push the boundaries in anything you do. Don’t listen to gurus, especially writing gurus, because, invariably, they know much less than you do. Listen to the voice within you and act on it.
Okay? Thanks Elise.
About Mark Barry:
Mark Barry, author of “Hollywood Shakedown”, “Ultra Violence” and “Carla”, is a Psychologist and writer whose main interest focuses on relationships between people. He has been writing since he was twenty one, having his first piece published in 1986. He has written extensively on a variety of topics including, horseracing, football, personality disorders and human relationships. Influenced by the great playwrights and screenwriters, much of Mark’s work transpires in dialogue. He deplores exposition and in his fiction, leaves the reader in a state of nervousness more than he probably should.
Mark has had an extensive career as a professional project designer and bid writer, having accrued over £20m for groups and organisations working with disadvantaged people. An ex-lecturer, Mark designed and delivered the UK’s first ever course in Criminal Psychology in 1997. Much of this work infils his fiction: Psychopathy and Borderline Personality Disorders are featured heavily in “Carla”, for example.
Currently, Mark is a full time fiction writer and freelance blogger. He has been interviewed on several Radio talk shows where he has given readings of his work. His work has been featured in The Sun and Daily Mail and he has also been interviewed on Television.
Mark resides in Southwell, Nottinghamshire with his teenage son.
Gladiator's Pen
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
We’re talking about your book Hollywood Shakedown today. Can you tell us what inspired this story? I’m a huge fan of Charles Bukowski, and the main character in Hollywood Shakedown is the mythical son of Bukowski’s alter-ego, Henry Chinaski. He’s called Buddy and he’s just like his dad! Two friends of mine inspired the novel. First, my friend in Houston, Paul Vani, challenged me to write a short story, and at exactly the same time, my much more local friend, Clive la Court, inspired me to write a fiction novel. I combined the two challenges and wrote about some of my favourite things. Comics, horse racing, football, LA, London, women, crime, food and weirdly named worldwide pubs.There is a scene that takes place at Hollywood Park, which is sadly, about to close after 75years. Can you tell us about that and the roll the racetrack plays as a setting? I’m really annoyed and feel completely impotent about the closure of Hollywood Park. Over here, a place with Hollywood Park’s kind of history would have a Listed notice slapped on its gates and the developers clapped in irons. Did you know they’re replacing it with a retail and residential development??? Like, LA doesn’t have any malls. I have four months to make enough money to visit – it has been one of my ambitions. In the first chapter of the book, Buddy is tracked down by two goons who discover him in the stands of the Park. I try to put across the sounds and smells of the racetrack (see below) and also the baffling decline of horse racing as a spectator sport in the US. The book is full of racing – Bukowski raced there, too.
Was there a chapter, or scene, or part of the novel that was difficult to write, and if so why? Most of it was quite tough. I once wrote a novel in eighteen days. This one took nine months, labouring over
every line for this because it was my first work of fiction. The last chapter, which most people like, was very tough. I didn’t want to ruin the payoff – nothing worse than that, as a reader.If you had one day to live inside of this book, how would you spend it? I actually did! The gang watch an FA Cup match between Fulham and Notts County on the banks of the River Thames. I support the latter and the chapter is exactly as it sounds.
Do you have a favorite part or moment in the book you would like to share? “The men walked up the stairs and into the main betting hall. Five bucks a piece found its way into the hands of a stony faced black woman in a red neckerchief. Like the track, she'd seen better days. Ramirez said something under his breath but the woman scarcely noticed, de-sensitised to everything but the thought of getting out of there. It was livelier inside than they expected: Bettors milled around the cacophonous hall, hundreds queuing at the windows, sitting in the carrels, some perusing the Form, others smoking, scanning the cheat sheets and Indian Charlie. The air was blue with cigarette smoke and smelled of tobacco, tacos, cheese food, hot dogs and warm beer - all mixed up with the usual gambler's cocktail of sweat, fear, excitement and anticipation. Yet even a pair of racing agnostics like Bishop and Ramirez could palpably sense the tradition and the heritage. The smoky trails of Walter Matthau's Marlboro, or Bing Crosby's briar pipe; Hollywood was seeped in movie culture. Every banister, every railing, every corkboard tile was dripping in it. Despite the best efforts of the hunched janitors in orange coveralls and their five-foot brushes
wielded like pikes, dead tickets found the floor with unerring accuracy. The joint was a firetrap waiting to happen. One reckless cigarette butt in the bin could see them all go to hell. The crowd's optimistic chatter and the frenetic pulse of the simulcasted commentaries from tracks around the country, from Aqueduct and Sunland and Oaklawn, accompanied the two men as they passed through the betting hall.“Bet the ponies, Bishop?” Ramirez asked as they made their way outside into the sunlight, their brogue heels tapping sharply and noisily on the floor. The older man shook his head. His craggy features never moved. “Stocks.” He replied.” That's the smart boy's gamble.” (Chapter One)
What are three things you must have when you write? The Inuit hunting cap my friend and reader, Kelly Sherwood, gave me for Christmas 2010. Music. My writing voice nagging at me.
What element or elements do you believe make a story great? Writing and vocabulary to start with. I like writers who take risks, who break the rules and try to push the envelope. Martin Amis is my all time favourite. What he can do with a sentence is sublime. Sadly, Indie is full of Novel Writing 101. Every great story breaks rules. I love the adverb. I would start every sentence with And, if I could. The latest diktat from the Creative Writing gurus, “Show, Not Tell”, has caused a sturm-and-drang conformity, which has hamstrung the development of writing (and writers) because it has become a meaningless cliché. Well timed exposition and stories within stories can turn a novel from a good story to a classic: Indie authors have forgotten that.
Do you write as the muse hits or do you have a set ‘work day’? For a year, I wrote full time. Now, I’m working again, so I have to write when I can. As Paul Auster said,
really early mornings and late weekend nights. I wrote the bulk of Carla in a weekend, so I am best under pressure. I suffer from insane bursts of creativity.How do you avoid or deal with distractions when in the writing zone? I’m lucky that I live on my own so I can do my own thing. The Internet, and particularly Facebook, was once a huge distraction I struggled to beat, but my addiction to social networks seems to have abated.
Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Of name authors, I worship Martin Amis, with the exception of his latest, which is bemusingly bad. I have also read everything by Paul Auster, Charles Bukowski, Henry Miller, Liz Jensen and John King. Of Indies, Suzanne van Rooyen, who writes YA and science fiction, Emma Edwards, who is making a stir with a quirky vampire novel set in Wales. Mary Ann Bernal writes innovative historical fiction and Ngaire Elder is a much-underrated children’s writer who should be much better known than she is.
What can we expect next from Mark Barry? Is there another tale being spun and/or event coming up that you can share with us? I’ve just finished the sequel to my top selling football book, Ultra Violence. It’s called Violent Disorder and it should be out on August 1st. I’m also writing a contemporary fiction novel about the lost generation in Nottingham, called Keith The Philosopher; a crime fiction novel called Painful Death and an anthology about sex, death and food; so, I’m busy.
What would you like to say to fans or fellow authors? Try to push the boundaries in anything you do. Don’t listen to gurus, especially writing gurus, because, invariably, they know much less than you do. Listen to the voice within you and act on it.
Okay? Thanks Elise.
About Mark Barry:
Mark Barry, author of “Hollywood Shakedown”, “Ultra Violence” and “Carla”, is a Psychologist and writer whose main interest focuses on relationships between people. He has been writing since he was twenty one, having his first piece published in 1986. He has written extensively on a variety of topics including, horseracing, football, personality disorders and human relationships. Influenced by the great playwrights and screenwriters, much of Mark’s work transpires in dialogue. He deplores exposition and in his fiction, leaves the reader in a state of nervousness more than he probably should.Mark has had an extensive career as a professional project designer and bid writer, having accrued over £20m for groups and organisations working with disadvantaged people. An ex-lecturer, Mark designed and delivered the UK’s first ever course in Criminal Psychology in 1997. Much of this work infils his fiction: Psychopathy and Borderline Personality Disorders are featured heavily in “Carla”, for example.
Currently, Mark is a full time fiction writer and freelance blogger. He has been interviewed on several Radio talk shows where he has given readings of his work. His work has been featured in The Sun and Daily Mail and he has also been interviewed on Television.
Mark resides in Southwell, Nottinghamshire with his teenage son.
