(If you feel like adding to the blog, cut out the questions and include them along with your answers in an email to blogspot at shudalandia dot co dot uk)
First up is myself, Eric (Oz) Tomlinson. Computer consultant, Programmer, Author and self confessed geek.
What was the first piece of fiction to transport you to another world?
Harry Harrison, stainless steel rat. I was intrigued by the silliness of some of it and the cleverness of being able to invent advanced technologies that don’t exist, even in the embryonic stages.
Favourite Author?
CS Lewis. From the Narnia books, to the deeper theology. The Screwtape Letters is simply amazing.
Guilty pleasure author?
Kim Harrison – The Hollows. Rachel Morgan and the rest. All of the volumes. Loved it, but never wanted my hardcore fantasy buddies to know I’d read such a thing. Love/ Kisses/ Vampires … get real.
What genre(s) do you read?
Nothing that comes close to reality. Fantasy and Sci Fi. Some of the vampires and demons series. I enjoyed the mix of demons and steam punk of Cassandra Clare.
What would induce a flinging tantrum sending a book across the room?
Utterly impossible technology. Simple facts not checked. Referring to a shotgun as a rifle kind of thing.
Best book ever – in your humble opinion
Lord Of The Rings
Worst book ever – in your humble opinion
The Player of Games: I know lots of people love it, but Iian M Banks Culture series. I just can’t get near it. The viewpoint shifts jar too much. (Of course everybody hates 50 shades don’t they? – Never got past about the 30th page, never made it to the sex.)
Which fictional location would you visit?
Narnia, Cair Paravel
Which fictional characters would be at your dinner party?
Gandalf, Belgarath, Polgara, Stella (From Amara series – I love her!), Boromir
Which Authors would be at a dinner party?
CS Lewis, Oscar Wilde, Terry Pratchett, Virginia Wolfe, Kim Harrision
Ereader or real book?
EReader every time. Can’t understand why people won’t switch. I had my first Kindle when they had a keyboard on the bottom, I’m currently using a paperwhite, which I love.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Born in 56, in Manchester England, I’ve just turned 60.
I consider myself one of the luckiest people as far as I love the job I do and people pay me to enjoy every working day.
Been married twice, have three children and up to date seven grandchildren.
I love walking the paths of the ancient Greeks. To tread the beaches of Ithaca, or walk up to the acropolis where Homer might have strolled will reduce me to tears.
I’d love my stories to be able to join the body of fantasy people feel is worth recommending to friends. I want my stories to be read and enjoyed.