Lucky 13 Interview With Tim Beeden

1 – Can you start by telling us a little about your current book?

My current book's called Envy. It's the second of the Seven Deadly and Four Novels I plan on writing (each named after the seven deadly sins and four last things). In total that's eleven books to write but I'm pretty new to this so have no idea what a ridiculous notion writing eleven books is.

Each book in the 'series' works as a stand-alone novel. Envy is a story about the power of music, friendship and privilege and features a host of characters who are quite keen to keep their eyes on someone else's blessings.

It's an easy-going read, written to (hopefully) make you laugh.

2 – Are you a plotter or a panster?

I'd go with panster but love George R.R. Martin's term of 'gardener' (a plotter would be an 'architect'). I really like the idea of heading out onto the blank page and helping ideas grow. Which sounds terribly noble until you realise most of the time you can't find your spade.

3 – Savoury or sweet?

Now we're getting to the good stuff. Both is a rubbish answer (although true) so I'll say sweet. Anyone who doesn't like a doughnut isn't to be trusted. For the launch of Greed I had a 12-inch book-doughnut (booknut) made. I ended up eating doughnut for breakfast for about a week. I regret nothing.

4 – Three books to a desert Island. Go!

1Q84 - Haruki Murakami (by the time I've finished, someone will have rescued me)

The Winter of Frankie Machine - Don Winslow (Storytelling done right)

Any Far Side Gallery book - Gary Larson (to put a smile on my face).

5 – Star Wars or Star Trek?

The Princess Bride.

6 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

The ability to undo the cord on my jogging bottoms when in desperate need of a wee.

7 – Music or Silence when writing?

Varies. Sometimes silence is just what's needed. And with that comes the need to enjoy that silence in today's hectic world. Other times I'll go for some blues. I like older stuff (Leadbelly, Blind Lemon Jefferson etc).

8 – If you could live anywhere in the world, and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose?

I can imagine my wife rolling her eyes as she reads this. It's Denmark. It's always Denmark. I love the place so much. In particular, I'd live in a little cabin in the woods near a town called Asserbro. Surrounded by trees, with the beach a ten-minute walk away. One day, Denmark. One day.

9 - Your favourite karaoke song?

I can't sing for toffee so would have to resort to Vic Reeves style club singer mode and butcher Viva Las Vegas with lots of arm and leg movements in the hope they distracted from the noise.

10 – One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?

Someone somewhere will like what you've written. Stay true to yourself, write what you want and when that one person you've never met tells you they like your stuff - it's the best feeling ever. Oh, and write. Becoming a writer is hard, staying one is harder. So write.

11 – You win £1 million, but you must give half to charity. Which charity do you choose, and what do you do with the rest of the money?

I'd split the money between Samuel's Charity and The Little Ted Foundation.

Samuel's Charity is a small charity set up by Martin (Samuel's dad) after Samuel died from a very rare form of cancer at the age of nine.

The Little Ted Foundation is brand new, set up after friends of ours lost their glorious son Ted at the age of one to brain cancer.

The way people can use unbelievable grief as fuel for wonderful things is remarkable. I'd split the whole million between them.

12 – Horror films, yes or no? If so, any favourites?

Sort of. The concept of looking forward to spending an evening terrified confuses me. I do like the Evil Dead series and, not technically horror, but worthy of a mention is Shaun of the Dead for no other reason than it's brilliant.

13 - What are you currently working on?

I decided that after Envy was released, I'd branch out a bit and leave the Seven Deadly and Four world for a couple of projects. I've just started on a slightly off-kilter crime series featuring a couple of private detectives called Barnham and Funk which is going great.

I've also made inroads on another project about four friends who meet on a bench to put the world to rights. Whatever happens, it's writing, writing, writing (with the occasional doughnut).