Ask the Author: Michael Cargill
Answered Questions (10)
Michael Cargill
Hi Irene
I used the 'shelves' option in the search section.
These links should take you to all books that Goodreads members have marked as being related to Scotland in some way:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
I used the 'shelves' option in the search section.
These links should take you to all books that Goodreads members have marked as being related to Scotland in some way:
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Michael Cargill
Yo
I've already got it on my Amazon wishlist, so I'll be buying it soonish. I'm currently working my way through a book on Richard Nixon, which is something of a hefy tome, so I'm a bit wary about committing myself to a review... not to mention that I'm a terrible reviewer anyway!
Thanks
I've already got it on my Amazon wishlist, so I'll be buying it soonish. I'm currently working my way through a book on Richard Nixon, which is something of a hefy tome, so I'm a bit wary about committing myself to a review... not to mention that I'm a terrible reviewer anyway!
Thanks
Michael Cargill
Reading about the entire WWII era is something of an unofficial hobby of mine these days, though I certainly wouldn't to travel back and live during that time.
That's not to say it's the falling bombs and the grinding tedium of rationing that puts me off, it's more the social attitudes that I'd wary of. A lot of people have this idea that the 1930s and 1940s were a time of innocence, honour, and heroism... they really weren't.
That's not to say it's the falling bombs and the grinding tedium of rationing that puts me off, it's more the social attitudes that I'd wary of. A lot of people have this idea that the 1930s and 1940s were a time of innocence, honour, and heroism... they really weren't.
Michael Cargill
Fantastic question!
Although I've had immense fun writing the articles on my blog, I'm far more proud of my books than I am of the short pieces I produce for the site.
Writing humour can be great for a quick ego boost as I watch the hit counter steadily ticking upwards after posting a new article, but I put far more time and effort into my stories than I do for those short pieces. In fact as I've become more involved in my books, I've gradually become detached from my blog; it's been ages since I last updated it, which is something of a shame.
The different reactions I get from readers is probably a factor in this. Whilst I might get a handful of "Ha ha, great post!" responses to something on the site, I've had complete strangers contacting me out of the blue to say how much they enjoyed reading one of my books. My books have also made a few people's "Best reads of last year" lists as well, which is always nice.
Ultimately I can't really provide a definitive answer to this question, largely because I've enjoyed writing both the blog and my novels so much. It's like asking me to make a choice between my left leg and my right leg... they're both beautiful specimens in their own way.
Although I've had immense fun writing the articles on my blog, I'm far more proud of my books than I am of the short pieces I produce for the site.
Writing humour can be great for a quick ego boost as I watch the hit counter steadily ticking upwards after posting a new article, but I put far more time and effort into my stories than I do for those short pieces. In fact as I've become more involved in my books, I've gradually become detached from my blog; it's been ages since I last updated it, which is something of a shame.
The different reactions I get from readers is probably a factor in this. Whilst I might get a handful of "Ha ha, great post!" responses to something on the site, I've had complete strangers contacting me out of the blue to say how much they enjoyed reading one of my books. My books have also made a few people's "Best reads of last year" lists as well, which is always nice.
Ultimately I can't really provide a definitive answer to this question, largely because I've enjoyed writing both the blog and my novels so much. It's like asking me to make a choice between my left leg and my right leg... they're both beautiful specimens in their own way.
Michael Cargill
It kind of crept up on me really. My initial passion when I was in school was for technology and computers which was why I got a job in IT.
Of course, once I learnt that email was a good way of relieving boredom I was soon tapping away at the keyboard and sending silly messages to people...
Of course, once I learnt that email was a good way of relieving boredom I was soon tapping away at the keyboard and sending silly messages to people...
Michael Cargill
Writing is relatively new to me so I haven't come across this yet!
I'd probably deal with it the same way I deal with most other things - play online with my Xbox and shout at French people until the problem goes away...
I'd probably deal with it the same way I deal with most other things - play online with my Xbox and shout at French people until the problem goes away...
Michael Cargill
My most recent book was set in the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust so the idea simply came from reading and researching about that point in history.
I read a lot of non-fiction so I get ideas for characters and themes from all kinds of interesting places. I've found social history in particular is good for offering additional points of subtlety to my characters.
I read a lot of non-fiction so I get ideas for characters and themes from all kinds of interesting places. I've found social history in particular is good for offering additional points of subtlety to my characters.
Michael Cargill
I'm working on a few things at the moment. My next release, which is set during WWII, is actually finished but I'm leaving it on the back burner before going back to do any editing.
Since then I've written two short stories and I'm currently beavering my way through my first ever fantasy story. Sword fights are great fun once you get going...
Since then I've written two short stories and I'm currently beavering my way through my first ever fantasy story. Sword fights are great fun once you get going...
Michael Cargill
Being able to create worlds and characters that other people want to explore is one good thing about being a writer.
Waking up to an email in your inbox from a complete stranger who enjoyed your work is a great feeling (and ego boost...)
Waking up to an email in your inbox from a complete stranger who enjoyed your work is a great feeling (and ego boost...)
Michael Cargill
Don't worry about writing the perfect story right off the bat. If looking back at something you've written makes you cringe in despair then that's a good thing - make some changes to it, put it away in a drawer for a week, and then repeat the process until you feel satisfied with it.
Professional authors have legions of editors, proof readers, and copywriters who sift through every single sentence several times over before something is ready for publication.
Professional authors have legions of editors, proof readers, and copywriters who sift through every single sentence several times over before something is ready for publication.
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