Becoming a
journalist came late in my working career, even though it was something I
wanted to be when I was at school. I left school at fifteen in 1972, so I obviously didn’t have the necessary qualifications. In the end, it was life experience that finally got me the job. I’ve always been grateful to news editor Rachel Saker for giving me the opportunity. The transition from
journalist to published author happened naturally, despite the
difference between the two disciplines.
What inspired
the story and characters in, In the Shadow of Marc Bolan? Are there any
personal experiences or observations that influenced the narrative?
Much of my
writing comes from personal experiences and observations. Childhood,
adolescence, relationships, marriage, travel, and bereavement for instance.
Write what you know is always a good rule of thumb!
Mal pictured in 2015 following the publication
of his debut novel. 'The Asylum Soul'
How has your
background in journalism shaped your writing style and approach to
storytelling?
Firstly, you
become aware of the acute difference between fiction and non-fiction. Many
authors use the springboard of fact to unleash their fiction writing. It’s no
real surprise to me that readers are often confused. My protagonists, Jack
Compton (Fly Back and Purify and An Invisible Nemesis) and Daniel
Blue (The Story of Virna Babineaux) are both journalists. I quite often
use my journalistic skills to add newspaper articles to my storylines.
You ‘dabble’ in
poetry—how does poetry influence your prose, and do you incorporate any poetic
elements into your narrative?
I’ve been
writing poems and prose since I was fifteen and was fortunate enough to have
quite a few pieces published soon after. Yes, there are poems in a couple of my
novels. I have woven a few into the narrative of my latest book, In the
Shadow of Marc Bolan, for instance.
How do you go
about developing your characters? Are they based on real people, or do they
emerge purely from your imagination?
The characters
themselves are born out of my imagination. I then think of real people I may or
may not know in an attempt to give them substance. For example, I often use two such people to create one
character. Harry Horlock, a prominent character in my debut novel, The Asylum Soul, was created using two people I knew, Harry Sale and Des Horlock. Both individuals had very similar personalities.
Sadly, both have since passed on.
What themes do
you explore in ‘In the Shadow of Marc Bolan’, and what messages do you
hope readers take away from the book?
The death of
Marc Bolan is the nucleus of the novel. His premature death affected me
immensely. It all came at a time when, as a young man growing up in the
seventies, I couldn’t really show my true emotions. Others I know were in the
same boat, and they had their own personal stories to tell. I hope readers will
identify with the storyline as they compare it to their own experiences
following Bolan’s death. Because the storyline has a strong background in mental health, I also hope those less familiar with Bolan and T. Rex will identify with the book.
Can you
describe your writing process? Do you have any rituals or habits that help you
stay focused and productive?
I like to write
in the small hours when everything is quiet. An inner spirit seems to take over
my body. I often sit back after each writing session and wonder how and why the
f*ck did I write that! It’s quite a good feeling actually.
What challenges
have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Researching and
writing a book are the easy parts of the process. Editing is less so, as it can be quite arduous. I have learned to use a good proofreader and a couple of independent readers before submitting my manuscripts for publication. The other massive challenge is book promotion. There are a lot of sharks out there, including fake agents, who only want your money for little or nothing in
return. I spend a lot of time marketing and promoting my books myself.
How does the
setting of Camberley and Woking influence your writing? Does the local
culture and environment play a role in your stories?
Camberley, where I grew up, is a town I still call home, even though since my childhood, its heart has been ripped out by developers. The old place is hardly recognisable now from
the one I grew up in. However, I love including it in my books as much as
possible. My fifth novel, Fluke’s Cradle is a perfect example of this. On the other hand, Woking is a drab town near the village of Knaphill, where I now live. That said, it’s handy as a
hub for most of my stories.
What kind of reception have you received for In the Shadow of Marc Bolan? - Have any particular reader
responses stood out to you?
On the whole,
the reception has been great. The book has been embraced by many Bolan fans,
including the Official Marc Bolan Fan Club, The T.Rex Action Group and Danielz,
the lead singer of the official tribute band, T.Rextasy. In the Shadow of
Marc Bolan has also received some great reviews/ratings on Amazon and
Goodreads, with even more on my social media and via email.
Are you
currently working on any new projects or books? If so, can you share a bit
about them?
I don’t
consider myself an author unless I’m currently writing. At present, I’m at a
crossroads, although some possibilities are floating around in the grey
matter. One such idea is that I may bring back D.I. Sue Grendel, a character in The Story of Virna Babineaux. She also appeared briefly
in In the Shadow of Marc Bolan.
Perhaps she could be the protagonist in a future title. Time will tell!
How do you
balance your interests in both prose and poetry? Do you see yourself focusing
more on one genre in the future?
I do. Although
I’ve concentrated heavily on my novels over the last ten years, my interest in
poetry/prose and even music lyrics has never gone away. I aim to write a lot
more before I pop my clogs.
Who are some of
your literary influences? Are there any authors or poets whose work has
particularly inspired you?
One man stands
out: the late, great Leonard Cohen. His novel The Favourite Game and, of course, his songs and poetry are all I needed to inspire me.
Mal Foster was talking to Mady Joshi of the US based ALLAuthor website.
