Featured Interview With Craig Anderson
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a Brit that lives in Canada, and I moved here via Australia, so no matter where I go people hear my bizarre accent and ask me where I am from. I have a beautiful wife, an adorable 18 month old daughter, another baby on the way, two cats called Sydney & Mel and a rather stubborn Brittany Spaniel called Jasper. Basically our house is complete and utter chaos!
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I started writing at an early age, around 11 or 12. I’ll never forget a substitute English teacher once accused me of copying my creative writing homework out of a book, which is still the strangest compliment I have ever received.
I took a long break from writing when I hit my teenage years. It was only in the last 6-7 years that I have really gotten back into it. When we first moved to Canada I didn’t have a job, and I needed something to pass the time, so I found myself writing a full length fiction novel. That particularly story still hasn’t seen the light of day, I keep telling myself one day I’ll finish it off and get it out there.
I write at least one flash fiction every week, typically on Friday’s, and post it to my blog. It’s been a great habit, it forces me to write no matter how busy life gets and I can always find 20-30 minutes to write a 100-300 word story about something. It’s also allowed me to try my hand at a variety of styles and genres. I’ve been doing that for over 2 years now.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Terry Pratchett is far and away my favourite author, I was so sad that he passed away this year. He had such an amazing talent for finding the most interesting and hilarious aspects of very dry topics such as banking or the postal service. I still find myself reading his back catalogue and laughing out loud at the fantastic characters and dialogue.
I’m a huge fan of humourous fiction, although as a genre it’s certainly not as popular as many of the others. I love a book that can make me laugh but also make me think. I try as hard as possible to write those types of stories.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My first novella is called Getting Lucky. When a homeless man rescues a young boy from a savage beating he is rewarded with a life changing discovery. Unfortunately he was perfectly happy with his life the way it was. Now he is up against forces that are conspiring to make him be something that he’s not, a decent human being.
Along the way he befriends a stray dog called Lucky, and between them they have to face off against the most unforgiving opponent of them all, karma.
The story is a comedy that questions everything we think we know about karma, fate and fortune. I wrote it by accident while taking a break from editing a longer novel. It’s a quick read, about half the length of a typical book, so it is the perfect companion for a day on the beach or a long commute.
I’ve totally fallen in love with these characters and have just finished the sequel – Lucky Shot, due out October 2015. I also recently recorded the audiobook for Getting Lucky in a local recording studio and have made that available for free. You can find out more on my website – http://www.todayschapter.com/books
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles