A Pen Full of Pets.

How did you become an author and get published? Share your experience.

They say write about what you know so my life as a vet has been a rich source of material. A goose given to me by a grateful farmer to fatten up for Christmas became a pet instead. I turned that into a feature which got accepted by a national magazine, the editor of which then asked me for stories from my veterinary encounters. This resulted in me writing a monthly column for the next fifteen years.

What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?

Those readers who are animal-orientated, the works of Gerald Durrell and James Herriot are a must.

Tell us what you enjoy most about writing [genre].

In writing about my life as a veterinarian it recalls memories of many experiences with a great mix of animals and their owners.

What have you found to be most challenging about writing in [genre]?

In writing about my own experiences in veterinary practice I have had to be careful to cover up the identities of people I have encountered and so often I have mixed and matched clients and their pets so as t avoid that possibility.

Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in [jobs/education] in your writing?

The main source of material for my writing has come from my interactions with animals, be they pets of mine or the companions of clients.

Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?

The main character in Beasts in my Bedroom is undoubtedly me as a lad in Nigeria. The protagonist in my vet books is a thinly veiled me.

Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?

There are bound to be days when the Muse fails to strike. Best then to stop. Take a break. A walk. A coffee and a bun. Then come back and face that blank page again. The flow will recommence albeit if only a mere trickle to begin with.

What are you reading right now?

The book I'm currently reading is 'Vet at the End of the Earth' as it's the story of the vet on St Helena who happens to have looked after Jonathan - the oldest living tortoise in the world. Having met Jonathan anf given him a neck tickle which he adored, this autobiography is a must read for me.

What can we anticipate from you moving forward?

With my mountain of animal experiences I would like to engage more with children and tempt them to explore the world of reading.

Do you have any movie or tv adaptations in the works?

Thee was the possibility of a radio series adapted from my first book, Pets in a Pickle, with an experienced script writer doing the adaptation but in the end the BBC decided not to pursue it.

How long did it take you to write this book?

Beasts in my Bedroom was relatively easy to write as I had already used much of the material in a previously published memoir so it was completed in under three months.

Where do you like to write? In a coffee shop? In your home office? On the beach?

I have a room which I have kitted out with PC, filing cabinets, reference books and folders of research material.