Minifiction Interview

And here’s me talking to Jamie at Minifiction, about, well, mini fiction. And short stories Vs novels, stories taking unexpected turns, and the short story scene here in the UK (yes, it could be a little less closed). Amongst other things. Do pop along. And feel free to leave a comment (whether you agree or think I’m spouting rubbish!).

More soon. Until then…

In Conversation With Me

A little while ago the I answered some questions the brilliant Jenn Ashworth put to me. We talked about writing and about my books. We talked about music. We talked about writers’ block. I gave some tips on blogging. It was fun.

And you can see the results at The Lancashire Writing Hub by clicking here.

I do hope you enjoy.

(You can see me interviewing Jenn, last year, here.)

Me? Cute?

I’m over at the utterly superb Metazen today.

I’m interviewed about Not So Perfect and stories and writing and where some of the stories is Not So Perfect came from. I’m quite frank, I think.

This is how it begins:

‘Physical Observations: Nik Perring’s book is square. A green skinned woman sits on what seems to be a plane with a lemur on her lap. The lemur is under a spotlight. The woman is about to sneeze. On the back cover a bald man lays reclined in an airplane seat. Michael Kimball exclaims “So full of life”. Let’s start there.’
and then…
‘The Stories: The book is filled with 22 stories. Every story is different. Some stories are marinated in magical realism. Others contain delightful bits of strategic whimsy. Other stories describe some common thing so poetically (like a strawberry) that you feel you’ve only seen it for the first time.’
And then the ‘cute’ thing. And ‘polite’.Heh.
‘Nik: Polite, cute, responsive, sensitive, British. When you read him he’s not so much speaking to you as he is holding your hand while you watch something, like a butterfly. He points, explains and warms you. 

  Click here to read the interview.

And they’ve also published one of the stories from the book. It’s called ‘Lump’ and it’s one I’m particularly fond of. Click here to read that.

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I should say too, that if anyone overseas would like to get themselves a copy, their best bet (free worldwide delivery AND 25% off at the moment) would be here.

A Week Of Interviews

Well, it seems that most of my week has been spent answering questions and talking about myself and my book. And it’s been fun.

Amongst other things I recorded a podcast about creativity and writing and language (and lots more) which’ll be used as part of The Creative Identity’s eCourse. And the reason I mention this, aside from encouraging you to check it out, is because I came up with an answer I’d not thought of before. Steph asked me to define what I do (as a writer) and I said: ‘I make stuff up and try to make it sound convincing’ which I think I like.

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I was also really thrilled to be the first person interviewed on the MyLittleNotepad blog. Huge thanks to Rebecca for that.

So, yes. Mostly a fun week.

On Learning, Listening and Talking

Well that was quite a weekend. I got a couple of crappy emails and got stressed but all’s well now, I think. The coolest part(s) of the weekend though was being reminded just how much I enjoy learning stuff, and also realising that I have some very clever friends (who seem happy to put up with my incessant asking of questions). On Friday I ended up talking, at length, with a medical expert about, well, the body. It was fascinating. On Saturday I was with some musician friends, which was great because, as well as enjoying their top company,  I learned stuff from them (some seriously interesting stuff about the re-use of chord sequences: ‘I Will Survive’ and ‘Hotel California’ share the same one) and even got to have a play (oh yes, I jammed, baby. I’ve still got it!). Last night I was with a lawyer discussing human rights. It was fab.

And not only because I was learning. It was fab because people were talking about things they are passionate about, and that’s a really cool thing to see. And, of course, they’re all very nice people too.

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And talking of nice people – Michelle, from Winning Words has put up the telephone interview I did with her last Wednesday. Click here to listen to me babbling on. I hope I don’t bore you.

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And…

Wasn’t Doctor Who good? Steven Moffat: Thank you. You’re great.

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And here’s some music video loveliness. This, I thought, was terrific. And hilarious. The things you can do with Pachelbel’s Canon. And skipping. And tango.

And a bit of Baroque N Roll.

Good News

Very happy to see that the second print run of Not So Perfect has happened. It means that it’s In Stock in places which means that, should you want to, you can buy it. Or tell others to. If you should want to of course. (I’d point non UK people here as it offers free worldwide delivery.)

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Last night was fun. I was over at Winning Words doing what I can best describe as a live interview conference call thingumy. I chatted to the lovely Michelle, for about forty minutes, about all sorts, and read a couple of stories from Not So Perfect (I read ‘Lump’ for the first time live and then ‘Shark Boy’). And if you didn’t listen live, the conversation has been recorded and will be available to listen to at some point soon. More details when I have them.

And I think that’s just about it for now.

Me, talking to Vanessa

Vanessa Gebbie, as well as being a wonderful writer and teacher of writing and competition winner and judge, is a friend. She also said nice things about my book. When I asked her if she’d endorse it she said this:

‘Nik Perring’s many gifts as a writer include a rich imagination and a quirky sense of humour married to great tenderness. In ‘Not So Perfect’ he uses these skills to great effect as he explores those fractured moments at which we are most vulnerable. This marvellous collection resonates with a surreal impishness, exploring with a wry smile the often unfathomable complexities that underpin our relationships. He offers no answers, but demands that we look again. And again. In so doing he greatly enriches those who read him.’

which is high praise indeed.

So, today I’m over at her blog being asked, among other things, about the book, teaching writing and other people’s stories.

Read it here.