Author Spotlight: Stuart Crossley

1. When did you first start writing?

I began my writing at the tender age of 16 (upon reflection I think close to would seem more accurate). My teen poetry beginnings have led to what I suppose has become a form of therapy for me, which still continues to this day.

2. When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I only recently decided to really go for it, (whereas beforehand I have only written online and submitted to various online competitions). I have to admit it has been a very gradual journey for me.

3. Was there any author or book in particular that inspired you to write?

I guess I have always been a dreamer, and quite introverted. So, classics with their flowing language must have played a part. Even when I was in school plays, I was drawn further to reading. Although those elements must have urged me to do so, a very difficult time of my life caused me to start to write, to start music helped me to write. I used to write poetry based on my take on song lyrics.

4. How many books have you written? What are they called? Where can they be found/bought?

Although this is my first, as yet unfinished work, entitled: ‘The past revisits (it runs through all I write)’ I do plan to use Amazon +Bookbaby ‘s KDP select, to put my book out there in ebook form to start with.

The artwork for the cover was done for me by the talented ©Kellie Arts, I am very grateful for her help.

5. What genre do you write?

I write (on the poetry site I use: allpoetry.com) in a mixture of styles, from haiku, brevity, free-writes, my style (which is somewhere between poetry and prose)

I also have a darker side, my short stories, along with other blog posts, dark speculative fiction, etc. can be found on my WordPress site.

6. Are any of your characters based on people you know in real life?

I must admit, although I try not to use real people for my characters, my first book is based on a real-life event from a few years ago now that is personal to me. I am sure that you understand that I do not wish to explain any further.

7. What inspires you to write the most?

My inspiration comes from (in an unwitting way) the situation that I just ‘mentioned’ coupled with an observation of life as I perceive it to be. A philosophical approach, if you like.

8. What is your favorite thing about writing?

Writing, for me, is not only a form of therapy (in a way) But I wish to present others with information, so that they may interpret as they wish.

I aim to make others think, which I enjoy doing. I write to provoke thoughts that others may not have thought otherwise. It’s very interesting that what starts as a (seemingly) random collection of words transforms into an entire ‘world’ that just by writing it, you become part of the story, and can ‘hear’ every single character.

9. Do you listen to music while you write or read?

Much as I love music (metal mainly), It can be quite distracting for me to write sometimes. Although I can think of ideas for writing via listening to music. I know that must sound very much of a dichotomy, I’m just weird like that.

10. What do you write — short stories, poems, novels, novellas, blog posts etc. — and which do you enjoy writing the most?

I have written in a variety of different styles, but as to the one I prefer most, I cannot really say. Though, even my dark fiction and other stories have an element of prose about them. I guess I am more into that now. At the same time, I just love all forms. The frame of mind I am in at the time affects what style I write in.

11. Have you tried to go the traditional route with publishing?

I have never gone through the traditional publishing route, I am not really sure I would want to.

12. Are you self-published? How did that go and what route did you take? What advice would you give to others who want to self-publish?

As this is my first book, I decided to self publish. I am not sure I can offer any advice other than to look at various ways that you can self publish and see what works for you best, it is your work, after all. I have chosen the way to have my book by reading into the best ways to edit, market, and prepare the book for sale.

13. What is your favorite genre to read?

I have a very wide range of genres to read, but on the fiction side, I would say anything dark. The non — fiction, on the other hand, would probably be somewhere along the lines of neurology, psychology, and philosophy.

14. Who is your favorite author now? What is it you like about them?

Currently, my favorite author is Zoey Xolton, who writes in the speculative fiction genre. I guess her work reminds me of the classics and the principles that underlay them. She has a dark eloquence about her writing that makes me think of the books I read when I was younger.

15. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

I would advise them to write every day. Even if you consider what you came up with to be no good, you can always go back to them. I have hundreds of unfinished writing, that I sometimes rewrite parts of, or adopt that similar theme or similar ideas to another piece. Going for a walk can always help. Just being in natural surroundings could inspire something new for your writing.

16. Do you have any favorite books you recommend right now?

Aside from reading Zoey Xolton and dark writing, I do enjoy reading about neurology. I really enjoyed Antonio Demasio’s ‘The feeling of what happens.’ I am currently reading a Black Hare Press anthology ‘Ancients’ and I can recommend that for those who like things of a dark nature.

17. Besides writing, do you have any other hobbies?

I love to walk in woodlands, country parks, and to take pictures of scenes of nature with my digital camera. Also, I meditate every day. I like to stop and think, to analyze the world around me. In that way, I suppose I look into myself. I prefer not to look at it that way though, I in a more Zen-like way am just ‘there’ and unwittingly (even on a subconscious level) look inwardly.

18. Are you on Twitter or do you have an author website we should check out as readers?

I am on Twitter and can be found on @stujcrossley as well as my blog (which I have already mentioned) I also can be found on Facebook under, well just my name (not very original, but…)

I do not as yet have a completed author website, but it is in progress.

19. Is there anything else you want to share about your writing or that you want your readers to know?

The dark speculative fiction is done under my semi-pseudonym: S. J. C., I suppose I did that to separate my poetry from my darker stories (there may be some dark dark posts on my blog, but those under the aforementioned name were originally written for another site).

I would like to also add, most importantly, aside from who this (secretively) is for, I would also like to dedicate this to my daughter who I love very much.

End Author Interview with Stuart Crossley

If you are interested in reading some of the author Stuart Crossley’s poems or short stories, check out his WordPress site here! You can also keep up with him on Twitter, as he mentioned, so you know when his book will be released. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about the author and poet Stuart Crossley!

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