A Peek Behind the Time Traveller

Like many readers, I enjoy reading about the author as much as I enjoy reading their books. I love to learn more about the person behind the words. When I decided to feature an author or two on my blog, I wanted to make my interviews different. They aren't long but they don't ask the standard questions either. I hope they'll give readers a little peek at the person within the author behind the books.

Today we'll get a look into the mind of James D. Layton.  Meet the Author James D. Layton has been writing screenplays for over a decade, but turned to novels in 2012. He lives in England with his two sons Ettienne and Cody. He likes running and chocolate, and sometimes running with chocolate. His favourite book is Jurassic Park, his favourite film is Jaws and he listens to many types of music including; Jimmy Eat World, System of a Down and The Doors.

I was introduced to James, via Facebook, by the lovely and talented Linna Drehmel.
Since we've met, James has delighted and inspired me daily with his wit and  kindness. 

Find James here: Facebook Fan Page - Author James D Layton
Website - Orange Mangrove Publishing
Twitter - Tarantula Film
When you were just a little boy ...

What’s the first book you remember reading, or having read to you as a child?

Delights and Warnings. It's a book of folklore and tales, poems. I still have it now, and yes it still scares me a little haha

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Creative...... that's it. I've been a film director, custom doll maker, model car maker and now a writer so I think I succeeded.
Quickie Questions

Favourite carnival ride?

Roller coasters or Passage Du Terror type rides. I love being terrified. It's doesn't happen often enough though.

Favourite junk food?

Pizza without a second thought.

Favourite cuss? 

Cuntmuncher but I think I invented it.

Word that always makes you cringe?

When Americans say secon.... instead of second. Sorry America I love you really.

Worst habit? 

I crave junk food even after losing 30lbs and eating healthy I still find myself standing outside McDonald’s for some unknown reason.
Either/Or

Introvert or extrovert?

Introvert until ruffled, then an extrovert with a sharp tongue.

Student or teacher?

Teacher

Coffee or tea?

Tea.... I'm British shoot me.

Morning person or night owl?

Both, I get up at 5am to run but I also like staying up until the small hours watching bad movies and writing.

Television or movies?

Movies.... TV bores me,
Finish the sentence ...

If I could switch lives with anyone for one day, I’d choose ...

The love of my life. To walk a mile in her shoes and see the world through her eyes.

If I knew the secret to immortality, I would ...

Tell the love of my life so we could spend an eternity together.
About your writing ...

Who was your favourite character to write?

Eloise Crimson she's a total bad ass.

Which character has the most in common with you?

Eloise Crimson she's a total bad ass haha. No seriously we both have strong morals, both are very independent and we both love books.

Why THIS story and not one of the others roaming around in your head?

She called to me, and told me I would need 9 novels to tell her life story. I obeyed and followed her lead.

This is a series.  Can you give us a teaser about where this is going in the next book?

The first of nine books in the series, Eloise travels time, from Atlantis to Ancient Egypt to meeting Bram Stoker, she pretty much goes the whole hog as time travel goes. Starting in 1945 during the war and going way back to the crucifixion.

Do you write with music? If you do, can you give us the title and artist of five songs you feel had the most impact on your plot?

I don' need it to write, but I find it helps when I'm stuck. I listen to movie soundtracks, 300 and Beowulf have been helpful this time around. But I listen to everything from Fleetwood Mac to Slipknot.

If some Hollywood big-wig decided to make your book into a movie, who would be your dream-cast for the main characters?

Eloise Crimson (a younger Rachel Weisz) Dr Mark Fleming (David Tennant) Alan Turing (Giovanni Ribisi)

Did you get into any kind of ritual while you were writing this book? Tell us about it. 

I'm a full time father of two boys so rituals don't exist to me. I write when I can, as well as cooking, cleaning, washing, running and school activities. I'm always busy. 

So what's next from the mind of James D. Layton?

The second book in the series which is Eloise Crimson and the story of Salome. We go back to ancient Rome and follow the story of Salome, the step daughter of Herod Antipas as she demands the execution of St John the Baptist. In the first book the time travel experiment works and they stop Hitler but some of the jumpers get lost, Eloise has to go back in time and retrieve them. Problem is some of them don't want to come back to 1945. Causing majors problems for her. She's a great heroine and well worth following if you like strong female characters. I think of her as Indiana Jones in a skirt. 
Meet the Book Eloise sits at her dull little desk in her stuffy little office and watches her pencil tip snap for the final time. The war in Europe fills her mind with stories of adventure and heroism and yet for a 17 year old English girl, her pencil is probably the most dangerous thing she has ever held. It is 1945 and her only chance to escape the status quo of her existence is a small advert in a local shop window looking for war volunteers. She packs her bags. Waves her town goodbye and heads for the train station with a deep feeling that adventure awaits. Little does she know that less than 48 hours later she will be wrapped up in a world of time travel, romance and an epic journey of self discovery. She is thrown into the viper pit as time itself is split like a smashed water melon, and Eloise must embark on a death defying plot to stop Adolf Hitler in his tracks. Thrown back to 1935 with her fellow volunteers. The Nazi army baying for her blood is only half as heart stopping as the feeling inside... that she was born to do this.

Purchase it here: eBook -  Amazon.com

Paperback Version