24th Room
24th Room is a story of Two Worlds, World of Reality and a Parallel World of Possibility. The 24th Room sits in the 5th Dimension and can only be reached by a stairway through the planets of the night sky. It is a room for teensters from all Nations who are believed to be future leaders in their countries. The legend says once they turn 18 all memory of the room is gone, but there is a twist! It is also the story of 16-year-old twins Jaxon and Shay Vale who take up residence in Vale Manor with their parents. As always, there is a villain, a warlord Naloth whose only aim is to enter the 24th Room so he can infiltrate the stairways to the Nations. If he achieves his aim there will be wars like no other. It is up to Jaxon, Shay, the teensters and some of their spirit friends to stop him. There is lots of fun, human and unusual animal characters.The story has excitement, fun, a smidgen of teen love and humour.
What prompted you to set the book in Ireland/the Lake District?
I am originally from London, England and it still feels like home to me. Both countries have a lot of old history and mystery about them and the wonderful manors which fit into my story well.
Please tell us about your inspiration behind the story.
Teensters (This is what I have always called teens). Through my time in counselling the teens, I talked with, told me in their dark times they wished there was another World they could go to to take time out. I asked them if there was such a world in a book would reading it help them to escape for a time; most said it would. I had the story in me and felt the time was right for it to be introduced.
Why do you prefer to write for teens?
I have always enjoyed & worked with teens. Their zest for life and humour is catching and I found I could relate to them and them to me with easy.
You are experienced in the role of a youth counsellor; to what extent has this informed your writing of the novel?
Quite a bit I guess, my idea came from listening to teens over the years and it seemed many wanted the same thing, to escape for a time to a world of fantasy. But as I have told them there is a parallel world out there for everyone to escape to in their dreams, so just maybe there is a world of possibility!
This is the first of two books in the 24th series – what can you tell us about the next?
The second book carry’s on the journey to the 24th Room and the fight to stop Naloth with some new characters. There is sadness and the soul of the 24th Room finally returns to the room. The twins turn 17 and only have a year left before the memories will be gone. The humour still flows and much fun is had by all. I deliberately kept the first book short which I call the appetiser to introduce the story and whet the appetite of the readers. The second is the main course and will be bigger.
You were in the final five of a Businessperson of the Year award; please tell us about your experience in the business field.
Gaining a final 5 placing in the Business Awards was for a character I had created, ‘Greanwold’, and the marketing to promote the character and products. Greanwold was picked up by a Canadian company and is being developed into a TV series, film and gaming website. I am also the Executive Manager of the Greanwold Foundation, which aims to help kids worldwide. I have owned a retail business and enjoy the marketing and promotion of business.
What is next for you?
To complete the second book is my priority at the moment, as I have already had the hurry-up from readers who have read the first book The Vale Legend! After that we will have to wait and see. I would like to come home to England again as it has been a while since I was there; I miss the family and the vibrancy of London. But I need to win the Lottery first!