Author Interview: Michael Brookes

The Drunken Space Penguin is at it again! Another wonderful author has decided to grace us with his appearance! Today, we get to meet Michael Brookes, author of such books as Conversations in the Abyss, The Cult of Me, and An Odd Quartet. And now, we get to learn a little bit about this accomplished author!!








DSP: For starters, tell us a bit about you, we like to get to know our authors as a person!

Michael: My name is Michael Brookes, I am 40 years old, my favourite colour is blue. I can’t tell you what my favourite food is as my doctor may be reading this :-)


DSP: Nice to meet you! So tell us, where did you find the inspiration for your most recent book?

Michael: The inspiration for my latest book (‘Conversations in the Abyss’) and indeed the whole trilogy was John Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’ For me it is the greatest story ever told, but whenever I read it I’m left with more questions than answers, so I thought – “Why don’t I try and answer those questions?”


DSP: So, do you have any kind of ritual for writing? Such as, you have to write with music on, or you can only write when you’re completely alone, etc

Michael: Not really, I’m quite fortunate that I’m good at multi-tasking so I can settle down and write almost anywhere as long as it is not too noisy.


DSP: Who is your favorite character in your book, and why? How about the character you had the most trouble with?

Michael: My favourite character is ‘Friar Francis’, he’s everything I’d love to be – well aged, well educated and knows what needs to be done and how to do it.

The character I’ve had most trouble with is ‘Sarah Mitchell’, a GCHQ network analyst in the book I’m working on at the moment.


DSP: Now, when you sit down to write a book, a paragraph, or whatever you‘re working on at the moment, do you just sit down in front of the computer, or do you need an outline of some sort? Is there any other prep you need in order to organize your thoughts either before you write or in the process of writing?

Michael: I’m a great believer in planning. Before I start writing the first draft I plan out what the book will be. Of course the plan changes when I start writing it, but I at least know where I’m heading. For short stories I jump straight in and just write the story.


DSP: Do you foresee any more books to continue this story? If so, do you think we can get a taste of what’s to come?

Michael: Yes, there’ll be the final book of the trilogy entitled ‘The Last True Demon’. As for a taste of what is to come, I’m not too sure yet, but getting out of the Garden of Eden will; be the first challenge.


DSP: Other than this most recent story, do you have any ideas for different books that might be published in the future? Care to give us a teaser?

Michael: I’m currently working on a book, the working title is ‘Faust 2.0’, it’s all about an Internet chat-bot that starts granting wishes. As with life you don’t get anything for free (despite what your email might tell you!) and there is a price to be paid.


DSP: Who is your greatest inspiration to write? What person makes you believe in yourself, and how?

Michael: Reading provides much of my inspiration, I want to write as well as some of the great authors that I’ve read.


DSP: Do you have any aspirations to be similar or comparable to another author? Why?

Michael: I’d love to be able to write as well as great authors like Clive Barker and Ian M Banks, however I’m happy to keep improving my craft and writing stories that people enjoy reading.


DSP: What has been the biggest high since becoming a published author?

Michael: Releasing my first novel and the first review being a good one. It still gives me a buzz whenever I read a positive review.


DSP: Have you named the computer you use for writing?

Michael: No, sorry - I’m boring with computers.


DSP: Has becoming an author changed you, or the way you think about certain things? If so, how?

Michael: It makes me think about how I’d describe things more.



And now, for something completely different…some slightly off-the-wall and possibly irrelevant questions...oh, heck, you know the drill!!



DSP: How many ridges are there around a quarter?

Michael: Too many to count, but not enough to get lost in.


DSP: Do you believe in fate or destiny?

Michael: No, I believe that we make our own fate.


DSP: Boxers or briefs?

Michael: Boxers, but firm fitting ones.


DSP: Do you have any tattoos? If so, how many, what are they, and where are they on your body? (PG-13)

Michael: I have an Ace of Spades on my upper left arm.


DSP: Would the 8-year-old version of yourself kick your ass or praise you for what you’ve done with your life?

Michael: Probably both :-)


DSP: What is the last song you listened to?

Michael: Rammstein’s Ohne Dich (It means ‘Without you’ in German).


DSP: If you could meet one person (real or fictional, alive or deceased), who would it be, and what one question would you ask?

Michael: I’d like to ask Jesus if it was worth it.

A very insightful interview! It was a pleasure having Michael aboard with us today, and we wish him the best of luck!



Make sure you keep up with Michael on his blog, www.thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk!