I attended more than a dozen schools
Not as a result of bad behaviour, but my dad’s job. Plenty of first days, a lot of friends. I’m told I was never very good at keeping my shoelaces tied in any of them.
Nick Hollin
I used to be a bookbinder
Along with attending a lot of schools, I’ve also had a lot of jobs. The two are quite possibly connected. One of the most rewarding jobs I’ve had was working at a traditional bindery. I could never grow tired of handling books. The wage on the other hand. . .
I have a small collection of first edition novels
Following on from the above, I have a bookcase (with doors and lock to keep my young son’s sticky fingers out) devoted to my collection of contemporary first editions. Most are the works of my favourite authors, those people who inspired me to write. Before the internet and parenthood took over, I used to love spending my weekends hunting around second hand book shops.
I’m mildly allergic to avocado
This is not an interesting fact. And it’s quite possibly not true anymore, as I haven’t eaten any in nearly twenty years. It used to make my lips swell, which I know some people pay a lot of money for.
I aspired to be a professional golfer
I wasn’t bad, but as with most things in life you only need to see those who have a real gift (or remarkable commitment) to know you’re never going to get there. I gave up golf a long time ago. Now I play tennis and have no aspirations beyond keeping fit and having fun.
I love Norfolk
For many reasons. It was somewhere I would be taken by my parents as a child, normally to birdwatch. I love the endless and frequently empty beaches.
I do not listen to Radio One
A few years ago, I was employed as a gardener and spent all day everyday plugged in to my phone, listening to either audiobooks or the radio. For six months I persisted with the station of my youth. I have never felt so old.
I write when I can
Such is the life of a working parent. I often sneak half an hour in the car on the way home from work (having parked, I should add). I used to get up at 4 in the morning to write, but that seems thoroughly foolish now.
Being published is a lifetime’s dream come true
Having a novel published still doesn’t seem entirely real, more like a happy ending (or beginning) to one of the many stories that are always swirling round my mind. Whatever happens from here, I have made it HERE, and I will remain forever grateful to those who helped to make it happen.
