A Quick One on The Side - Doug Johnstone

A warm welcome to my guest author today, Doug Johnstone.

Doug describes himself as a 'Writer, Musician, Journalist, Drinker, Swearer, Househusband, Dad and Former Nuclear Physicist', but not necessarily in that order. Doug grew up in Arbroath and now lives in Edinburgh. He gained a Degree in Physics, a PhD in Nuclear Physics and a Diploma in Journalism. He used to design airborne radar and missile guidance systems, which no doubt came in handy when plotting a route home from the pub.
A singer/songwriter, Doug has been a member of Northern Alliance, who have produced four albums, one of which was released under the name of a fictional band, the Ossians, which is also the title of one of Doug's novels. He has also been part of the Fence Collective.
Doug has so far written four novels, the newest of which, 'Hit & Run', has recently been published and was reviewed by me in an earlier blog post. He is also writer in residence at the University of Strathclyde.

So here goes, ten quickies for Doug...

Who is your favourite author?
"The American writer David Gates, who hasn't written anything in too long."

What would be your favourite book read?
"David Gates' second novel 'Preston Falls', or his first one 'Jernigan'."
(David Gates' first novel 'Jernigan' focused on a dysfunctional one-parent family and was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist.)

Who is your favourite band/group?
"Probably Sparklehorse. RIP."
(Sparklehorse was an American indie rock band from Richmond, Virginia, led by Mark Linkous. The band ended when Linkous committed suicide in Knoxville in 2010.)



What is your most listened to album?
"Either the aforementioned's 'Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot' or Wilco's 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot'."
(Yes the Sparklehorse album is called that. It's not a typo.)

What has been the best gig/concert that you have attended?
"Any of the many times I saw The Afghan Whigs or The Flaming Lips."

What is your favourite food?
"A decent burger and skinny fries."

What would be your favourite holiday destination?
"Iceland. It's a crazy place."

What would be the most autographs you've ever signed in one session?
(Sweary bit alert) "Ha - f*ck knows. Not many. Maybe twenty or so at a book signing."

Have you ever been mistaken for someone else?
"Never actually mistaken for anyone else, but I get told I look like Josh Homme from Queens of Stone Age and actor Jeremy Renner quite a lot. A rock God and a Hollywood star - I'll take that!"

Well, judge for yourselves. Spot Doug...






How often do you get recognised?
"Virtually never, and that includes by friends and family."

Many thanks to Doug for being my guest today and for answering his ten quickies.
My next guest is R. J. Ellory. Thanks as ever for reading...