Featured Interview With J.S.Watts
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a UK author, born and raised in London (England). These days I live a little outside of Cambridge, in the flatlands of East Anglia. It’s a fascinating and stimulating rural environment (which is good for the cat and for my writing), but within easy access of the many diversions of London.
As a writer, I work from home and I find plenty of ideas in my surroundings which feed into my poetry, short stories and novels.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been an avid reader and writer. I used to say that my earliest significant writing moment was when I was around seven and a poem I had written was placed (second, I think, but I may be wrong) in a cross-borough childrens’ poetry competition. My mother, however, claims to have physical proof that my first poetry success was at the earlier age of about five, when a poem I wrote about the beauty of nature was one of two chosen to be read out in school morning assembly. Apparently, for blackmail purposes, she has the original poem in question written in my infant scrawl.
Basically, from childhood onwards, I’ve written and on the way have published many individual poems and short stories, as well as four books: two of poetry and two novels.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I enjoy the work of so many writers, and read in and across so many genres, that it’s always extremely difficult to pick favourites. I do, however, get a thrill when I come across a book that strays beyond traditional genre boundaries, or merges two or more genres. It keeps me, as a reader, on my toes, makes me think harder and often manages to deliver the unexpected. Margaret Atwood’s wonderful novel “Alias Grace” comes to mind: a book that simultaneously manages to be historical fiction, literary fiction, a mystery novel and an insightful piece of writing on human romantic and sexual relationships.
Other writers that resonate for me include (in no particular order): Ray Bradbury, Alan Garner, Sylvia Plath, Hilary Mantel, Anne Sexton, Charles Causley, Rosemary Sutcliffe and the late and much lamented Terry Pratchett.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is a novel, “Witchlight”. It’s a paranormal tale, with a touch of romance. Like Harry Potter, my main character, Holly, discovers she has previously unknown magic powers, but as she is thirty-eight rather than eleven, all similarities end there.
In fact, when her fairy godfather arrives to tell her she’s a witch, she’s suddenly having to come to terms with the uncertainties of an alarmingly magic-fuelled world. Magic, it turns out, is not like it is in the books and films. In a world where appearances can be magically deceptive, Holly cannot afford to trust those closest to her, including herself. Whilst romance blossoms, accidents start to happen and people die. Old Magic is on the hunt, but in the age-old game of cat and mouse, it is not clear who is the predatory feline and who is the helpless rodent.
The book officially comes out in paperback in May, but from now until the formal launch, special e-preview copies are available at Amazon and other ebook providers.
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