FAQ’s
FAQ’s
Questions on the Story
Questions on Self Publishing
Questions on Graffiti
Questions on K’Changa
Questions on the Author
Is there a sequel?
Yes. Charlie has a lot more to achieve and many more lessons to learn before her story is over. Charlie Keeper and the Darkness is due for release end of ’09
Why no Magic?
Magic is a word used by the foolish and those without coffee to explain the inexplicable. The skills and powers that occur in Bellania are the result of genetics, training and study. Treesinging, Stonesinging, the Will and the Way are the application of inherent abilities and not an occurrence of magic.
Why does Charlie always have such bad hair?
Poor comb to hair coordination.
Why is there an image of all the main characters but only a logo for Charlie?
Ever read a book, loved the hero then looked at the image on the front cover and been really disappointed? That’s because no image can ever match your imagination, better to let you interpret you’re own portrayal of Charlie than risk spoiling the fantasy.
What is a ‘chump’?
A cross between an idiot and a fool. A good word to use on Mondays.
If Nibbler the Winged One can talk why can’t Sic Boy?
What kind of question is that? (Some people have waaaaay too much free time on their hands.)
Well I’m not an expert on evolution but if I was to hazard a guess I’d say that the Winged Ones evolved a good prehensile tongue, an articulate jaw and a decent larynx. Sic Boy being a dog didn’t.
Perhaps it is worth pointing out that Sic Boy has developed the language of imminent violence to high a degree.
Top
Why did you Self Publish?
The sheer amount of competition out there and the prospect of being another manuscript on some publisher’s slushpile didn’t tickle my fancy. (I always pictured these fabled slushpiles as being huge mountains of books stashed away in some forgotten room.) Self publishing seemed like an appropriate, pro-active way of proving my product to the publishing community, if I generate enough sales, interest and strong reviews hopefully I can then attract the interest of a publisher and cut a stronger percentage deal than a new, unproven author.
Top
How would you describe Self Publishing?
Hmmm….as a cross between an amazing learning experience and a toxic migraine.
Top
Why didn’t you consider approaching a literary agent?
The idea of giving someone else 15% of my hard work seemed brutally unfair. Considering that new authors are unlikely to get more than 6% to 8% of the retail price the thought of giving an extra chunk of my income to a third party made me want to scream. Loudly.
However having stumbled down the tangled and dimly lit road of self publishing the idea of being mugged by a band of literary agents appears somewhat appealing compared to the incessant visits by the Troll of Paperwork, the Barbarian of Distribution and the Monster of Networking so the possibility of taking an agent (the right agent) might be something for the future.
Top
I’ve found a couple of typos in the book, why is that?
I had a limited budget and could afford neither a proofreader or an editor and although I bullied and blackmailed as many friends and professionals to error check the original manuscript several typos still had the audacity to slip through the net.
The act of proofreading was a fascinating process, initial checking on a PC screen yielded only the most basic of errors but printing out a hard copy generated an increase in results as too did changing the font from Times New Roman to Garamond (which is sans serif.) I’ve had English teachers and academics check over the script yet many managed to miss even elementary mistakes for example: ‘there’s’ instead of ‘theirs’ which could be interpreted as either the brain subconsciously translating errors or the reader relaxing too much into the story to focus on the text instead of the actual story.
Definitely a learning curve.
Top
Why is your use of grammar so freaky?
Two reasons.
The first would be I’ve tried to match the reading style and media exposure of today’s generation. If you check out the anime, comics, street slang and verbal culture of today you’ve got to acknowledge that the way younger kids read has changed. Changed radically. I’ve tried to match this.
The second reason would be I couldn’t afford an editor or proofreader so if unitentional errors did slink their sneaky way into the final edition I’m truly sorry and I’ll do my very best to grovel apologetically right now.
(Grovel-grovel.)
Top
Why is there Charlie Keeper influenced Graffiti cropping up in London?
I’m not sure what sparked it off. I do know that one crew focused quite heavily on it and as a result others seemed to pick up on it.
Top
What have you done to stop the increase of Charlie Keeper Graffiti?
Well to be honest I wasn’t that quick to act on it, seeing the characters and book title of ‘Who is Charlie Keeper?’ around London was kinda cool and which author wouldn’t want to see that kind of exposure. However when I did manage to kick myself into motion to stop these artists (spurred on by a penalty notice from Hammersmith and Fulham Council and the twinges from my conscience) I actually succeeded to track and trace one crew, the ‘Corrupt Government Crew’ through use of their tag who at my request have stopped painting illegally. Other artists who don’t ‘tag’ their work make it a little harder to trace.
Top
What is your view on Graffiti?
Mixed. I love the vibrancy and passion of it, delight in how large pieces can light up ugly lumps of concrete and sprawling urban wildernesses yet I also hate seeing immature and thoughtless ‘tags’ scrawled on someone’s home or on historic and beautiful architecture.
Graffiti, its a debate that needs more work.
Top
Where did the idea of K’Changa come from?
I love adrenaline sports and anything ‘X’.
I considered how freerunning, capoeira and that amazing asian sport of sepak takraw would appear after they had a collision course inside a kitchen blender, K’Changa was the result.
Charlie’s painful learning and final mastery of it is my homage to all the old school kung fu movies and Hong Kong flicks of the ’80′s
Top
Has anyone honestly tried K’Changa?
Yes some kids from the freerunning and tricking community have attempted it with varying success. (My thanks to Synergy Crew for all their energy and enthusiasm and for posting the occasional video)
Top
Why is there no author photo?
I never got this, who in their right mind wants to see the author? The reality of the man or woman behind the pen is always inevitably a let down. Lets face it, we read fantasy because we enjoy the journey and the break from the stress of day to day life, seeing a photo of some random chump plonked onto the rear cover acts like an unwelcome slap back to earth.
Top
Any tips for writers?
Sure. Don’t watch TV before writing – it’s a real imagination killer.
Write in the dullest, nastiest room you can find – it’s the one place your imagination can fly free without being hindered by distractions.
Don’t suck on your fountain pen then wonder why all the pretty women are laughing at you…it’ll be because you’ve got ink smeared round your lips and if you’re really unlucky all up the side of your face. (Er…not that thats ever happened to me.)
Top
