INTERVIEW – Author Cary Grant

I have recently had the long awaited chance to Interview Author Cary Grant and ask a few “personal” questions, in the hopes of getting to know the Author behind his wonderfully written debut novel, BURNT: Christmas on Fire.

Interview – Author Cary Grant Part One

Early Years

Admin:  Tell me a little more about yourself.  Where did you grow up, your family, background etc.?

Cary:  I was born in 1965 and grew up in a place called Dulwich, South London with two brothers and two sisters.  I am the middle child with one brother and sister older and one brother and sister younger than me.  You had to be a bit tough growing up around there as it wasn’t the nice side of Dulwich, it was an estate called Dog Kennel Hill.  I haven’t had a perfect life, but I don’t know anyone who has, not even the Queen. I left school when I was 15.

Working Life

Admin:  What line of work were/are you in?

Cary:  At 16 I got a job with a company called Sketchley’s.  How did I get the job? I wrote to them and told them I would work for nothing, just for the experience, but they said it was against the law and gave me a job. I learned as much as I could there before opening my own dry cleaners when I was 22. Thereafter buying a further 3 and selling them.  I’ve been a businessman for most of my life, an entrepreneur, always trying lots of different things but my main priority has always been my wife and kids.

Family Life

Admin:  When did you get married and how did you meet?

Cary:  We met in 2000 and got married in 2001. I already had 4 kids and we eventually had two more. We met in Surrey … I reversed into her car, well she said I did, but I think she reversed into mine … but I took the blame just to calm her down so she would except my invitation for coffee. That’s when I knew she was the one for me, although she didn’t even like me at this stage … but I eventually got her number and the rest is history as they say.

Children

Admin:  How many children do you have?

Cary: We have six children, 3 boys and 3 girls. Four have grown up and left home so only two little girls at home, aged 8 and 12 years.

Writing Life

Admin:  When did you start writing and why?

Cary: I’ve always had stories going around in my head but could never find the time to jot them down. From as early as I can remember I’ve always wanted to do better. Initially, it was to make my parents proud of me and now, it’s to make my kids proud of me. Finally, at age 50, I have found the time to start writing which I’ve wanted to do for the past 10 years.  Now that I have got into it, I absolutely love it. Don’t think my wife likes me talking about it all the time thought (giggles).

Writing Ideas

Admin:  Where do you get your writing ideas from?

Cary: My writing comes from various areas in my life growing up.  So mostly what you see in my stories is either something I’ve experienced, or something I know of and/or seen.

Debut Novel

Admin:  Tell your readers in your own words, what is your debut novel BURNT: Christmas on Fire is all about?

Cary:  It’s a story being told through the eyes of a young mix race girl, about her life growing up in the 70s.  She tells us about her first experience with racism that came from a black woman and her shock, as at that time in her life she thought she was black or at least she new she wasn’t white. Then the time her life changes Christmas Day, the worst day of her life . From that day on her family would never be the same again. Things only get much worse for her growing up.

Interview – Author Cary Grant Part Two

Fun Stuff

Admin:  Are you happy to answer some random questions?

Cary:  Sure, what would you like to know?

Admin: Favourite Sports?

Cary:  I like watching boxing, playing golf, watching tennis and watching rugby.

Admin: Favourite Games?

Cary:  I like chess and dominoes.

Admin: Any Computer Games?

Cary:  Only Nintendo Wii playing table tennis with the kids.

Admin: TV Programmes?

Cary:  I like some Reality shows and dislike others. The News and current events.

Admin: Favourite Films?

Cary:  I like Older films like Goodfellows, Lady sings the Blues with Diana Ross and Richard Pryor, The Usual Suspects, The Good Bad and the Ugly.  Newer films, I like Marvel films, Knock Knock with Keanu Reeves most James Bond films, Thrillers and some horrors.

Admin: Favourite Cars?

Cary:  I like Bentley Continentals, BMW’s, Audi, 4×4’s and Classic Cars.

Admin: Favourite Past-time(s)?

Cary:  I like going for walks just to clear my head. More recently, I like writing and my iPad.

Admin: Whats your Greatest Passion?

Cary:  My kids.  I wear my heart on my sleeve but I’m strong enough not to let people take advantage of it … Except the kids (smiles).  I love my entire family, even though I don’t get to see all of them as often as I’d like.

Admin: Whats your Greatest Achievement?

Cary:  Well that’s a hard one, but in order would be 1) My kids, 2) My Dad and Mum telling me they were proud of me when I bought my first shop and 3) Buying my first house.

 Admin: And finally, anything you want to say to your readers?

Cary:  I hope you all enjoy reading my first novel and any comments and/or reviews will always be welcome.

Sadly, this is the end of Interview – Author Cary Grant, but do come back for future blogs and updates as his exciting journey continues, or simply sign up for updates via email when new blogs are published.