Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.

Recently, we talked to Martyn Rhys Vaughan, about his writing and newly released science fiction tale, Doom of Stars, (read the review here).

A native of Wales in the UK; I graduated in Biology and Psychology.

I gave up work a while ago but had a long and varied career in agriculture, followed by working as a “Lab Rat” in the Steel Industry, followed by work in various companies specialising in organic chemicals.

The final stage was working for the Government in helping to measure the economy, specifically the Balance of Payments.

My interests are walking in the Welsh countryside, bread-making, travel, and the enjoyment of fine wines.

Married; I have twin sons: one in the UK, one in Florida.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Martyn-Vaughans-Science-Fiction-Work-103671181286506

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rhysfychan/boards/

Instagram: @martynrhysvaughan

Website: https://www.martynvaughan.co.uk

Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B082QLWWS2

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Finding that I enjoyed writing about imaginary events.

What does literary success look like to you?

Having many people reading my work and at least some of them enjoying it.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing a novel?

Getting started.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Both.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

Big ego is always a problem, but self-belief is essential.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

 I would like to be original so that people can recognise my style and tone.

Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

 No; emotions are absolutely essential in fiction.

Do you read your book reviews? Do they please you or annoy you? Do you think you can learn a lot from reading criticism about your work?

 Reviews must always be read; no-one is perfect. As long as there is truth in them, you must accept.

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

Getting started.

What in particular attracted you to this genre?

I like science-fiction because it accepts that the future can be radically different from the past; and that advanced technology can bring about vast improvements in life, but also hold great danger.

How do you begin a book?

I have the general plotline from the beginning, but do not start writing until I know the ending.

What’s more important: characters or plot?

Both are essential; a gripping plot with indistinguishable characters is like eating too much chocolate.

If asked, what would your friends and family say about you?

He annoys me.

Are you a feeler or a thinker?

A Thinker.

Tell us some more about your book.

It is a post-apocalyptic novel, but with a lengthy flashback which explains how the catastrophe came about.

What inspired the premise of your book?

The fear of irreversible damage to the environment caused by the misapplication of science.

How do you come up with names for your characters?

I research National and Ethnic names, so I am doing the characters justice.

Which scene or chapter in the book is your favorite? Why?

The final two which give, I hope, a resolution to the tensions of the previous chapters.

What makes this book important right now?

The world is a dangerous place: pandemics and climate change prove that.

What sort of a relationship exists between you and the characters you created in this book?

I feel an attachment; I try to make the villains three-dimensional and not stock cliches.

***