Tom Ward is a 23 year-old British writer and was recently named the recipient of the GQ Norman Mailer Award. His first novel 'A Departure' is available now. He also writes for The Huffington Post and Sabotage Times. He is represented by the Johnson & Alcock Literary Agency.
Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
With 'A Departure', I had an idea of points I wanted to hit, but the story flowed loosely between these points, as the protagonist wanders around England.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
Because the story is about one boy wandering around Britain, in search of safety and somewhere he belongs, I had to follow him wherever he wanted to go.
What is your favourite food?
I like meat, curries, fajitas, roast dinners. Anything with some spice in it will do me.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I try to be a morning person, but I often find myself awake at 3a.m., writing in my head when I should be asleep.
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
I've travelled alone to Mexico, Central America, India, Nepal, Thailand and all around Europe, but I'd love to travel across Russia. Angela Carter's Nights At The Circus was the inspiration behind it, and the brilliant film Eastern Promises.
Do distant places feature in your books?
My novel is focused on Britain and British society, but in such a way that it seems like an unusual and distant place. One that's different to the country we spend our days pottering about.
Do you listen to music while writing?
I do when editing, but when actually writing I find it a bit distracting. However, whilst working on my second novel, I had a playlist I'd listen to on repeat, to keep the energy high and the tone consistent.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
'A Departure' is the story of 18 year-old Michael's journey across Britain following a natural disaster that has decimated the population. On his journey to the continent, Michael learns about the darkest aspects of human desire as society breaks down around him.'
I wrote the majority of the novel at university, and carried out edits whilst staying at Norman Mailer's home in Cape Cod.
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
I've learned that publishers are fantastic, and editors really help bring out the best. I'm learning about writing every day, and will do until I die.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Never.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
Too many authors to mention. Cormac McCarthy is a huge influence. Also film makers like Danny Boyle and George A Romero.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Write everday, and don't wait until 'the right time'. The right time is when you sit down and put fingers to keyboard, or pen to paper.
What are three words that describe you?
Adventurous, lanky, lucky.
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
Catch 22 is my favourite book, but Cormac McCarthy or Bukowski would have to be my favourite writer. I can return to their work at any point and catch something new.
Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book
'A Departure' is the story of 18 year-old Michael's journey across Britain following a natural disaster that has decimated the population. On his journey to the continent, Michael learns about the darkest aspects of human desire as society breaks down around him.'
List of previous books if any
This is my first novel, but a short story of mine will be featured in the July 2013 edition of British GQ
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
Twitter @RenegadeViper
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Departure-Tom-Ward/dp/1908910852/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366645064&sr=1-1&keywords=a+departure
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