Friday 22 June 2012

Author Interview with Michael Cargill

Today we have author
Michael Cargill on our blog!

Not only did Michael do an interview for us,
he was awesome enough to give us 10 copies of his newest book, just released last week, to give away! 
See below for details.

 Look at the person sitting just across from you. It doesn’t matter whether they’re a loved one, a friend, or a complete stranger.

Now look at their face. Are they happy? Are they sad? Or are they angry? Can you even tell?

How well do you actually know the people closest to you?

Have you ever seen the real person that lies just underneath what you see…?


Thanks Michael for the interview and the giveaway!  When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
Around about the middle of last year. Over the course of a couple of months, I had been sending out a load of silly emails to people at work, and they said I should write a book. So, in the end, I self-published those emails for free in Diary of a Dork, and that was that! I had no interest in writing at school; I was a right nerd, always wanting to play around on the computers. It's why I ended up in IT.


Is there someone in your life who inspired you to write? Was there another author or a teacher who encouraged you?
Nope. I think the only thing my teachers encouraged me to do, was to stop talking in class so much. Well, apart from one of my maths teachers. I once yelled out 'boring' as she stood next to the blackboard, warbling on about something really boring. When she stared at me, I thought she was going to eat me.


Tell us about Underneath. Where did you come up with the idea behind the story?
I had an idea bouncing around in my bald head for a sociopath character, but originally he was going to be far more calculating and analytical. I did some research on sociopaths - as in, I went to Wikipedia and typed in sociopath - and saw that they tended to be impulsive and irrational. My bald head also conjured up some characters for another story, one based in a police station. However, my bald head couldn't handle both ideas at once, and they got squeezed into one book.


What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I like relaxing, usually to the soothing sound of a naked Frenchman reading me poetry. Nah, not really. Maybe a bit of reading, a bout of shooting at people in Battlefield 3 or arguing with strangers on the Internet.

Or being a creep to the modmins on Goodreads.


Do you have any hidden talents?
Not entirely sure. Two left feet, perhaps? Being sarcastic?


Do you have any advice for budding writers?
Practice! And don't underestimate how much editing, and proof-reading, goes into a book before it's published. No author is capable of churning out perfect prose right off the bat; they will go through it multiple times, and then the editors go to town on it.

If you have a stab at writing something, and then feel embarrased about it when you come back to it a day or so later, then that is a good thing - that's exactly what your favourite writer does!


If you could be any mythical creature, what would you be and why?
For some reason, I really like the whup-whup sound that a helicopter makes, so that would be my roar.
I also like the way squirrels move, and run up trees, so I would be as nimble as one of the cute little buggers.
I would be about the size of a horse, not because I like horses, but because crazy women like horses, and they would all love me and feed me mints.

Not sure what to call this creature. Whuptail? Helihorse? Squirrelsteed?   



Photobucket Photobucket Photobucket hmmm?
 
 

Now for the giveaway!
Grabbing up your own e-copy of Michael's book couldn't be easier. 
Just follow Michael by any means below and leave me a comment letting me know your method of stalking!  Make sure you leave your email so I can tell you how to get your book! 
The first 10 people to leave a comment will get a copy!

Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/#!/MichaelCargill1

19 comments:

  1. I iz in ur blog, stealin ur followers.

    Thanks for hosting me, and my nonsense, Sheri and co. you are fab girls and boys.

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  2. OMG Michael you make me giggle. Squirrelsteed? *giggle*

    Definitely a good start to my morning!

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    Replies
    1. Happy to oblige, my dear Caedy!

      I have to say, after doing my usual rounds of Goodreads stalking, I have seen that Sheri has done a fantastic job of promoting this interview.

      Sheri, you are wonderful.

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    2. Thanks :) I tried finding a picture of a Squirrelsteed, but couldn't even find one on Google. And I thought Google had everything! BTW, I don't suggest googling "leopard man." Some of the images are a little disturbing!

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  3. teehee. I'm following Michael on goodreads since I have deleted all my other (useless?) accounts in the net. :> Have a fun day!

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  4. hilarious answers,Michael! Great interview,Sheri!

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  5. This interview made me laugh! I am now stalking on Twitter.

    Lameciacreviews@gmail.com

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  6. Actually, I keep getting people following me on Twitter, presumably because of this.

    Note to peeps: you don't actually have to follow me to enter the giveaway, just leave an email address or something here in a comment!

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  7. The interview was great! I just joined Shut Up & Read's Goodreads group and saw event invite, I am so glad I did too! I just bought your book for my kindle. Thanks for the heads up Sheri and I think your hilarious Michael Cargrill!

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  8. Hey Michael! Thanks for the laughs this morning. I'll be following you on Goodreads since I spend a lot of my time there anyway. :) amandaelinks@gmail.com

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  9. I'm in love! GREAT interview. So funny. mchatwinbooks@yahoo.com

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  10. funny as always. I think it must just come naturally. sadie@sadieforsythe.com- I stalk Michael on GR, his blog, twitter & FB.

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  11. Hahaha, I love the story about your teacher! :)

    heartstick(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. Squirrelsteed! Definitely Squirrelsteed! The others don't even make any sense!

    Michael I am stalking you viz goodreads. The name is Martha. White, black and pink hair, can't miss it. :D

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  13. Hello. Stalking as @ThinkAThought on Twitter! think.think.80 @ gmail.com

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  14. Did I make it in on time? I really want this!!

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  15. Stalking via goodreads!! Hope I made the list lol

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  16. Everyone will be getting an email from me shortly :)

    Thanks Michael!!

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