Where were you born/where did you grow up, did you have an easy childhood?
Mike: I was born in the sea-side town of Barry in South Wales and spent all of my formative years there. I had an idyllic childhood near the sea, surrounded by lots of areas of outstanding beauty.
Give some background information about yourself, are you generally an optimistic person or pessimistic?
Mike: I am a family man who loves the outdoors and I spend much of my free time with my children and grandchildren. I am ever the optimist! My glass is full to over flowing which is how I chose to live.
Francis: Tell us your latest news, what are your current projects? Mike: I am currently in the throes of promotion for my book Clash of the Prophets- the Beginning. My research and writing is continuing for my next book in the series Clash of the Prophets -Life or Death…..so it’s a really busy time!
Francis:When and why did you begin writing? How does your present day work compare to what you wrote then?
Mike: I began writing over a decade ago. My wife thought I needed a so called hobby and suggested I take up researching and writing .Neither of us realized how all-consuming this project would turn out to be! My present day work is an extension of Clash of the Prophets. Much more in depth and slightly darker in character.
Francis: What genre do you consider books to be? Have you ever thought of writing in another genre, for example if you wrote a Children’s book, how would it turn out?
Mike: My books are factual, historical, true dramas. I have not, in all honesty, thought of writing in another genre but who knows what the future holds after I have completed this series of work! I certainly would consider writing a children’s book .I have enjoyed creating and telling bed time stories to my own children and grandchildren, who have urged me to put pen to paper and record them….so perhaps I need tomake this a future project!
Francis: Have you ever been flattered by a comparison to a well-known author or by a review?
Mike: I try not to let the good reviews go to my head and as for comparisons to well-known authors’ no-one has told me to my face!
Francis: What inspired you to write your first book?
Mike: After many years of continuous research, spanning decades, the shocking understanding and realization of myths, half-truths and miss- information around three of America’s trailblazing, well known characters became apparent. The desire to present the full story regarding the connections between Joseph Smith, Matthias and Sojournertruth became my overwhelming desire. The need to show these connections, in my mind, became paramount because millions of people around the world have been affected by the teachings: doctrines and influence of two men who claimed to be real live American prophets of God. The other who named herself Sojournertruth has, as far as her New York Years are concerned, been overlooked and misrepresented on the internet and by autobiographers. My inspiration is derived from a sincere desire to share the full, unedited story so that all students, careful readers and interested persons who have a desire to know: may have information readily available which will empower them in their studies or search for knowledge.
Francis: Do you have a trademark writing style, what makes your work recognizable?
Mike: I am not sure that I am objective enough to see a trade mark writing style. My work is recognizable, in my opinion, by its attention to detail and its use of all documentation to back up the facts that I record. Part of the uniqueness of my book is that it is recorded from the perspective of those characters living the events of their lives: as viewed both by themselves and those around them. Each and every point or part of the story line has a reference number associated with it: this can then be referenced with the index in order to find the source of the information.
Francis: Do you write short stories? If so how do they differ to your novels?
Mike: I have not attempted to write a short story ……..Yet.
Francis: How did you come up with the titles of your books?
Mike: Actually it was quite an easy process for this particular book. I had always had elements of the title in my mind as I was writing this work, then somehow it just seemed to manifest itself in its entirety when the book was probably one third completed. The term Clash of the Prophets is the umbrella title to a minimum of two or possibly three books. The first book is Clash of the Prophets-The Beginning the second which I am currently working on is entitled Clash of the Prophets-Life or Death.
Francis: Are there any messages in your novels, if so what?
Mike: I think the message of this book is that truth will out! No matter how much others try to ‘muddy the waters’ so to speak the truth will eventually rear its head and be heard: Even if it takes a century or two!
Francis: How much of your books are based on reality, how much are based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Mike: As this is a factual true story I am pleased to say all of it is based on reality. By the time I finished the book I felt I knew the characters extremely well and was glad I had not endured these events in my own life!
Francis: What books have most influenced your life the most? Are some of these books, different to your own genre of writing?
Mike: I am an avid reader of biographies and true stories. I read to gain knowledge and these are the type of books that I gravitate to, both in my reading and of course in my writing.
Francis: Are you sometimes shocked by some of your own writing/ideas?
Mike: I am shocked by real events that have taken place after extensive research and cross referencing from different viewpoints. Experience has proven the principal of hearing or reading both sides of any given story, hence reducing the final conclusion of any given set of circumstances.As the saying goes fact is definitely stranger than fiction!
Francis: Do you see writing as a career?
Mike: As I am in my fifties and hopefully approaching retirement the idea of pursuing writing as a career is most appealing, providing I am allowed by my family and friends to retire at the age of 101!
Francis: Is there a character in one of your books that really stands out for you? Could he or she be compared to any well-known literature character?
Mike: I think the stand out character in my book that resonates the most for me is undoubtedly Isabella Van Wagener who renamed herself Sojournertruth. She is, in my opinion, rather unique for a variety of reasons.
Francis: Were your parents avid readers, have your family played a part in your writing career? How do they feel about your work?
Mike: My mother is an avid reader as is my wife. Yes my family have played a part in my writing. They are my sounding board and they have been very supportive of this endeavor. They tell me they have really enjoyed the book, although my wife tells me she misses my company when I am locked in my study working for months on end ….actually if I am truthful she says years not months!
Francis: What makes you proud of your books/life as a writer?
Mike: I am proud, if that’s the right word to use, that I have been able to tell the truth of a story that for the most part had been white washed by many of the authors of previous publications. To bring to fruition a story that had never been fully told makes me happy.
Francis: How do you come up with the initial concept of a book?
Mike: I had been researching and this particular story kept coming to the fore all the time. I suppose you can say that the story spoke to me metaphorically and sparked my curiosity. Once the first page had been written the adventure began and there was, in a real sense, no stopping or turning back until the final destination had been reached. My first draft was over 700 pages long! The concept of the book was to provide information which is difficult and time consuming to find. We were extremely fortunate to be allowed access to hither to very selective information from Margaret Matthews herself and to letters usually only available in person from American libraries. All of which helped with the concept of presenting a full and true story.
Francis: Who is your favorite author and what is it about them that you admire?
Mike: I have many authors that I enjoy reading ….too numerous to mention .I just love a true story!
Francis: Who designed the covers for your books, were you happy with result?
Mike: Actually I designed the covers myself. After seeing various interpretations of my ideas I felt that the nearest cover was actually one that I had mocked up to use as a starting point for the graphic designers. So, in essence, I had better be happy with the cover as I can blame no-one but myself! In all seriousness the cover really does depict the story very well! It only took 137 attempts to get it right, we hope!
Francis: What was the hardest part of being a writer?
Mike: Both research and writing is, in my opinion, a very isolating process. I was immersed in my own world and my own thoughts for, as in this case with this particular book, years! It can be difficult not just for myself as author but for my family too. It helps to have their understanding and love throughout this process. Coupled with this feeling of isolation is the frustration that life maybe passing you by as you battle with your project. Writing is time consuming with the sword of Damocles prepared, at each juncture, to stop you dead in your tracks.
Francis: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Mike: I would not presume to know enough to proffer advice to any other writers, but in general I would say never give up on your dreams and ambitions!
Francis: Other than writing do you have any other interests, do they connect up with your writing?
Mike: I have many interests mostly connected to outdoors activities. I think they connect with my writing solely as a means of escaping my study and my computer! It’s important to maintain the equilibrium of life whist attempting to research and write. In hindsight I have often wondered about many of my actions especially after researching for days on end then only being able to write just a few sentences!
Francis: Are there any films that have influenced your writing? What kind of films do you like?
Mike: I think Gangs of New York directed by Martin Scorsese spurred me on in my writing quest. In all honesty I love most kinds of films if they are well written, well aced and well directed.
Francis: If your books were adapted into being films, which director dead or alive would you want to direct them? Which actors would you like in the films? What would be the overriding mood of the film?
I think either Martin Scorsese or Ridley Scott would be my ideal directors. Clash of the Prophets-The Beginning involves some of the most unforgettable characters within the American continent: Together they walked tall and cast a long shadow, so the directors would have to be able and willing to present them warts and all!As for actors well my wife would say Clive Owen …..Personally I think Al Pacino or Robert De Niro but I am sure the directors would have great choices .The mood of the film would be dark because of its content with some dry wit thrown in for good measure!
Francis: Do you socialize with other writers or creative people? Do you know any obscure or up and coming authors/or perhaps other creative people who deserve recognition?
Mike: Most of my time is spent in my “Garrett” called a study and my free time is spent with family. As an up and coming author myself I am on the lookout for likeminded people so I will let you know if I find any.
Francis: which theme (for example death, misery, and torture) is most prevalent in your stories?
Mike: The theme contained in my work is undoubtedly revealed by exploring the fundamental continuing battle between the forces of good and evil entities. From the dawn of humanity to our present day society men and women have claimed to be influenced by both good and evil spirits. Clash of the Prophets-The Beginning contains shocking stories revealing the details of claimed demonic possession from a variety of different times and places. All aspects of the human condition from love and lust to death and destruction are presented for examination in intimate detail from my work of the past decade.The theme of my book contains truth …madness….sadness…delusion….sexual immorality and triumph of the human spirit.
Francis: Which method of death would you choose out of the following
A being ripped apart by lions
B facing a firing squad made up by shadowy figures, who you suspect you have had major altercations with, during the course of your life.
C you find yourself in a hospital, in a country far from home, with doctors and nurses you can’t communicate with, attached to devices that indicate you are in a critical condition. You don’t know how you got to the hospital/country. Death is inevitable however.
Mike: As a bohemian I choose none of the above forms of death however the idea of simply going to bed, falling asleep and never waking up sounds most appealing to me!
Francis: Do you have a blog/website? Or other important links?