Dirty Dozen Author Interview – Owen Bell/Eugene L’Estrange #YA #Fantasy
Author name: Owen Bell (aka Eugene L’Estrange)
Please tell us about your publications/work. I began writing what was to become my 7-volume epic ‘S.O.S” Sentinels Of Sol’ way back in the late ’90’s in the form of TV scripts as it was initially envisaged as a CGI animated tv series. At that time it was far shorter than it ultimately became. After a possible TV deal fell over I decided to rewrite it in prose form which is when it expanded exponentially ending up with over 2000 pages. Having self-published all 7 volumes on Amazon, I then set about writing a sequel and a year or so later, a second, both of which are now also published on Amazon.
Do you think the written word (or art) bring power and freedom? I suppose so but the purpose of my writing (or creating in general) is to amuse, inform, entertain and possibly even enlighten, not change the world at large.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you started your publishing journey? Don’t expect anyone else to care as much as you do about what you write.
What’s your greatest networking tip? I don’t have any because apart from posting on Facebook, I don’t ‘network’. I’m autistic and ‘networking’ isn’t really on my agenda. If it works for you, go for it, but I’ll pass.
How much research do you do for your work? What’s the wildest subject you’ve looked at? Plenty. Seeing as my work is a blend of fact and fantasy it involves a lot of research. Google makes it easy. Without it I probably wouldn’t have bothered writing anything. Wildest subject? Flexible rock orRazzle Dazzle warships? (both exist)
How influential is storytelling to our culture? If religious ‘stories’ or ‘Mein Kampf’ are any indication, one hell of a lot… and not for the better.
What is your writing space like? A desk, a chair, a computer and the occasional Guinness. What else do you need?
Tell us about your latest piece? It’s the second sequel to my original 7 volume epic ‘S.O.S: Sentinels Of Sol’ entitled ‘The Curse of the Blue Angel’. It follows on from the first sequel entitled ‘The Professor and the Portal’ Both are standalone stories and feature core characters from ‘S.O.S’ as well as a bunch of new ones.
How do you deal with bad reviews? Ignore them, Most reviews, both good and bad, are subjective and as it’s impossible to please everyone, why the hell bother trying? If YOU love what you do, who cares if nobody else does? If you’re in the ‘arts’ to make money, you need to rethink your career.
What is your greatest success? Making it to 75 and still having enough marbles to do the stuff that matters to me.
How important is writing/art to you? If I don’t ‘create’ something every day, it’s a day wasted. Paint, learn a new tune on my nyckelharpa, or write something that amuses me, doesn’t matter which. All three in one day is a bonus.
What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’? Taller. I made it…I’m 6’2”
Links to book http://www.eugenelestrange.com
Bio
Owen Bell (aka Eugene L’Estrange)
Born Aug 17 1948 in Perth, Western Australia.
Lived in the UK from 1966 to 1994
Self-taught illustrator, musician and writer.
Became a freelance illustrator in 1974. Mostly known for revamping the illustration style of the Thomas the Tank Engine brand as primary illustrator for almost 2 decades until 2001. Created art for all worldwide merchandise including over 30 books.
Also designer of postage stamps worldwide, initially for the Crown Agents Stamp Bureau (London) and WWF Stamp Collection and more recently for Australia Post.
Plays a Swedish instrument called a nyckelharpa semi-professionally.
Writes for the fun of writing, never expecting it to result in fame and fortune.
Like Temi, believes whatever happens, happens. It is what it is…
