Something about me the real person.
I should really apologise to anyone who’s reading this because there’s not a lot to say here. I really am the most incredibly boring person in my private life.
I was born and bred in the Black Country (in the Midlands, in the UK), but have lived in a few places in the UK and now live in Hampshire. I watch a bit of TV but not too much. I do a bit of exercise but not too much – walking, rowing, swimming, gym. I used to jog but my knees told me to stop some time ago. I keep telling them I used to play football ten hours a day when I was a kid but they don’t listen (I think they’ve gone a bit deaf). I also used to love cycling around the local country lanes, but a recent accident put paid to that.
You still reading? Okay, I’ll carry on.
I like watching a bit of football. I never used to like cats but now I love them and couldn’t imagine life without at least one. Exhibits A, B and C:
I like the countryside and wildlife – the latter being a big concern of mine. I’m a would-be car nut – sometimes I think I’m a frustrated car salesman – but strangely I don’t dream of owning exotic sports cars. I like music – I have pretty eclectic tastes but have a soft spot for sixties and seventies heavy rock and progressive rock. Of course I love watching films and quite enjoy reading. More than anything else I love my wife of many, many years.
Still reading? God, you’re as bad as I am.
I have two science and technology degrees, have always worked full-time in the engineering industry, and have also spent long periods of my life doing major DIY projects in the evenings and weekends, including plumbing, rewiring, plastering and brickwork. And, of course, lots of gratuitous drilling, grinding and smashing stuff up. I installed the whole central heating system in our current house (including a new boiler in a new location) while the existing one was still functional. Yes, we actually had two separate systems in at the same time. Exciting, yeah? Oh, please yourself.
Oh, come on. If you don’t stop reading soon I’m just going to start making stuff up.
Long, long ago in my schooldays I was pretty good at sport – especially football, and the first thing I can remember wanting to be was a professional footballer, but I’m starting to give up on that particular dream.
The second thing I wanted to be was a rock guitarist. I tried learning to play the guitar twice and was utterly inept at it. I do, however, still play air guitar to a pretty high standard (don’t laugh; I’m grade 4). I’ve never really wanted to be anything else since then (apart from better-looking, richer, fitter, more eloquent etc. etc.) Of course, now I want to be a successful writer. Not (particularly) rich – just successful.
When I get spare time my hobbies include tattooing herons, eating sandstone omelettes underwater and wallpapering the insides of fuel tanks.
I did warn you. One of those three things is untrue.
Oh, and exhibit D especially for people who don’t like the idea of animals being dressed up as humans:
(No animals were harmed during the making of this website – at least, not physically)
6 Comments
Sheila Graf
Before finishing “Slow Burning Lies”, I was a Kingfisher virgin (all interpretations apply). Since this response box is under the “not writing” you, I wanted to ask if you had either multiple personality disorder or ADHD due to the various and numerous jobs held in the past. Even Patrick/Declan/Jonathan would support my thinking! To whatever inspires your writing, Thank You!!
Ray
Well thank you right back, Sheila.
As far as I’m aware I don’t have any of those (although I think I might have tripolar disorder but I’m just waiting for them to invent it).
Sadly, the truth is I’ve been around a few years and tried my best not to waste any of them.
Hope you enjoyed both my website and Slow Burning Lies. Thanks for commenting.
Rosemary Jarvis
I too am a cat lover & have 2 female stripes cats similar in looks to those on you website. They are twins but very different in temperament.I was a primary school teacher & try to keep fit in old age. My husband & I are folk dancers & also enjoy 17/18th century costume balls & I love walking & reading particularly books that tell a good story but also teach me something. Thank you.
Ray
Hi again Rosemary. Glad to hear that you’re keeping active in your ‘more senior’ years. Long may it continue.
Maria kilner
I too am Black Country lass, from a large family with a lot of history. Cannock was my birthplace and I left there aged 18 to join the WRNS. I have just finished reading Rosa’s Gold and could not put it down, now I know why I could not face the Auschwitz trip when I was in Poland the year after the wall came down. I had been sickened when seeing by the dreadful pictures that were put on display in the centre of Cannock after the war. Those memories are still with me today. You must have spent hours on your research. Have you visited the Katyn memorial on Cannock Chase? Another forgotten phase of WW2 history. My husband had the honour to parade our Legion standard then. Keep up your wonderful work, you are a great writer. I should know after a long life of reading anything with words printed on.
Ray
Hi Maria. I know Cannock well – at least, I did many years ago – the only places I remember now are the Pye Green Road, the Barley Mow pub, and of course Cannock Chase. I’ll check out that memorial and visit if I ever go back there. But thanks for buying my book, I’m pleased you enjoyed it. And yes, my books take a lot of research, some of it unpleasant, but that’s writing.