Interview with Simon carr
Author of A Zombie bit Myffanie
satirical science fiction writer from Blackburn in the north of England.
Buy this book
How would you describe A Zombie Bit Myffanie to a new reader?
- a satirical look at a zombie outbreak in a middle-class Welsh valley.
What was the inspiration behind A Zombie Bit Myffanie ?
- I used to work in pubs, I did relief management in a pub in a very middle-class village, I was struck by no matter how serious the situation the focus of the locals was always on less trivial things such as how much something cost or whether it was the top of the range, I often thought that if there was a zombie apocalypse they would be more bothered about what it would do to the house prices than how they were going to escape, the pub was in the northeast of England but my story is set in Wales because I just adore the accent.
Which authors do you admire? How have they influenced your writing style?
- Douglas Adams, whenever I do any narration I always try to do it in the style of Douglas Adams, the biggest perk of being British is to Narrate in the style of Douglas Adams.
Can you tell us a little about the locations in your book?
- It's set in a made-up village called Ptthwit just outside Swansea; well it's not just outside Swansea as it's not real; but if it was that's where it is.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
- Give up now; it's horrible!
What's your writing process?
- Oh it's not that complicated really, right first I get up at 6 am and make everyone breakfast, take the kids to school, drink a smoothie and eat granola, lift weights for an hour, scream in utter torment as I force out 2000 words, then go pick the kids up from school.
Which character in A Zombie Bit Myffanie has had the greatest impact on readers?
- Barry, I suppose, he is the central figure in it all.
If A Zombie Bit Myffanie were to be adapted for TV or film, who would you see in the lead role? Who did you have in your mind’s eye when you wrote him/her?
- absolutely, without question, Rob Rydon as Barry.
How have readers responded to A Zombie Bit Myffanie?
- I am having a bit of a purple patch at the moment, my last three books have all been received fantastically this one included, it's my second zombie book both have had reviews saying they are hysterical but not one person has said they are scary yet, so maybe I am being a bit optimistic calling myself a horror writer.
Where next? What are you working on now?
- I've started my next book but the kids are off school for the summer so it will be a few weeks before I start writing it in earnest, it's my first western, Tartface Mctavish, obviously, it's a comedy western, and yes there will be sci-fi, I'm not giving up trying to be scary, I've thrown a coven of Witches in it, hopefully, it will be finished and out in plenty of time for Halloween.
