Clive lives by the sea in rural Cornwall, England, and writes short stories and poetry. He has been published by Zetetic, Pidgeonholes, & The Quarterday Review. Occasionally he blogs about finding writing tough at www.clivetern.com.
1. How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I restarted writing about four years ago. A change of family circumstances left me with time which I had not had for some years. I’ve filled it with writing.
2. What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?
Keep writing, keep learning, ask for advice, use it.
3. Are there any writing resources, such as books or websites, you’d like to recommend?
Buy a Hodges Harbrace Handbook. It’ll keep you write on all those funny little rules of the language that we generally don’t think about, but are necessary to ensure your writing is of a good technical standard.
4. What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
I’m a Sci-Fi fan, though I will read anything, right down to the cereal packet on the breakfast table. Some of my favorite authors are: Marian Keyes; Matthew Reilly; Lee Child; Alastair Reynolds; Iain M Banks; Mary Gentle.
5. What tips do you have for finding time to write?
Find what works best for you. & disconnect from the internet.
6. Do you prefer to outline a story in advance or write on the fly? Why?
It depends on the story. Some need the planning, others don’t. Though even the ones that don’t start out needing planning often need a break to assess how the story is developing.
7. How do you deal with rejections?
With grim determination.
8. What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?
Finish to the point of publication one of the three projects I have underway. Continue submitting an average on one piece per week.
9. For the next five years?
Become a better writer with a growing list of publication credits.
10. Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
Two things. My blog: http://.clivetern.com & the excellent magazine I first read for http://plasmafrequencymag.com
