The Keith Gray Interview

Keith Gray's first book,Creepers, is to be republished in the summer, with a new cover to coincide with publication of his third Young Adult novel. From Blood Two Brothers was his second.

1. Had you written anything before completing your first published novel, Creepers?

I've been writing since I was about sixteen, and Creepers wasn't published until I was twenty-four, so I've got a huge stack of stories buried at the bottom of some drawer or other.

 

2. Is Creepers based on any dares that you did yourself when young?

I'm not sure how honestly I can answer this question without getting myself into trouble with my mum. Let's just say that in Humberston where I grew up there's a certain street not far from my old house called Derwent Drive.

3. Has there been much opposition to the book on the grounds that it might encourage copy-cat creeping?

Not as far as I know. When the book was first accepted by my publishers there were a couple of half-jokes or forced smiles about what would happen if...? I can remember a few people looking slightly worried. But up until now there hasn't been any kind of an outcry from suburban householders who've caught balaclava-wearing fourteen-year-olds (with bacon in their pockets and a crush on Ruth Doberman) crouched hiding behind their greenhouses. Saying that, however, Creepers is being re-released this summer with an all-new cover and fresh publicity, so you never know what might happen...

4. The book is immediately recognizable as the work of a natural storyteller. Did it get accepted from the slush pile, or did you have direct contact with an editor?

Before Creepers I had written a short novel called 'Six Bullets' which originally found me an agent, but not a publisher. It was while 'Six Bullets' was steadily collecting a little bit of praise, but ultimately no thank-you's from different publishing houses, that I wrote Creepers and therefore always had an agent on my side to talk to the editors for me. The book did however still go on to several different publishers before finding a home at Mammoth. And now 'Six Bullets' has been published too, although considerably rewritten and under the new title 'Dead Trouble'.

5. How different is the published version of Creepers match the manuscript which you submitted?

I think the two are fairly well matched all in all. There are a few sentences straightened out here and there, the odd paragraph rearranged, and a heck of a lot of spelling corrected. But my editors are fantastic, they seem to know what type of books I'm trying to write, exactly what I'm trying to say, and keep pushing me until I get it right. It's a pity they don't get a share of the limelight.

6. It is an extremely fast-paced story – did it write itself that way, or was it carefully constructed?

I wish I could tell you it was all carefully constructed and meticulously planned, that I'm dead clever like that, but it would be a lie I'm afraid. I hate planning my books, simply because I'm no good at it. I usually have a vague idea of a beginning and an end, but let them do more or less whatever they want during the middle bit.

7. In your second novel, Form Blood: Two Brothers, you look at male bonding again. Did you have especially close male friendships in adolescence, or is it something you write about because these are the kind of friendships you would like to have had?

I've been very lucky with the kind of friends I've had over the years, we've shared some amazing times, and I always name-check them in my books by calling streets or minor characters after them. Which, when you think about it, is a great marketing ploy because everyone wants to see themselves in print. But one friend in particular has stuck by me no matter how ugly, skint or stupid I've been, and we've got scars to prove it. From Blood was written as a kind of thank you to him

8. There is a dare in the second book too. It has something to do with holding balance on the upstairs deck of a bus. I can remember just such antics when I was fifteen, and what I admire in your work is a willingness to use authentic teenage experience without sensationalising it. Have you been encouraged to heighten the teenage behaviour in your books?

Not at all. I think that like you the people who enjoy my books most are the ones who realise that real life can be pretty adventurous too.

9. Sex is very difficult to write about, particularly in a book published on a 'children's' list. I thought the roundabout scene was very adroitly managed. Both sensitive, and hilariously funny. Tell the world, Keith-is that an actual roundabout, which could be pinpointed on a map?

You wouldn't believe how many people ask me this question. It's second only to where do I get my ideas from. I can admit that Tollbar Roundabout does exist, yes. But I can't telly you whether that particular scene is based on any personal experience of mine or not, because that would be a bit like a magician giving away the secret to how his tricks are done, wouldn't it?

10. For various reasons teenage or young adult fiction does not sell well, particularly in the UK. Authors are very often forced to compromise and write for a younger audience than the one their work naturally addresses. Do you feel driven in this direction.

I don't think so. I've never really thought about it before. I'm definitely not 'driven' in any particular direction. Lots of people offer me ideas for books but I'm one of those authors who only ever wants to write about what interests them personally.

11. I have to say that Dead Trouble (despite the obviously young main characters, again two boys J) reads like a short story for older readers and comes across rather strangely in chapter book format. Is my reaction untypical, and have you had any reaction from primary schools to the gun theme?

Your reaction is very interesting considering that Dead Trouble is actually the shortened version of what was originally a longer book, Six Bullets. As far as any feedback on the gun theme is concerned, the book has only been on sale a couple of months and I haven't heard anything negative so far. If in the future a teacher or a parent does come to me with a problem regarding the book's contents I hope I would be able to put forward my argument quite effectively. Personally, I don't think the reader is left in any doubt about guns and their capabilities by the end of the book.

12. The opening half of your Mammoth Suspense title contains your best writing to date, particularly in your ear for dialogue in the pub scene. Have you considered writing scripts or screenplays?

It's my next ambition actually. The big dream would be to write and direct my own movie one day, either for TV or cinema, I'm not fussy. In fact, only last month I was on a drama screen-writing course with Carlton Television, so you never know what might happen. Watch this space.

13. You used to work in an Our Price record store. What did you enjoy about that, and how did it relate to your writing?

It was one of my favourite jobs. The staff discount was fantastic, no doubt about it, and my CD collection flourished. But next to writing, music has to be my greatest love. The only reason I became a writer is because I wasn't good looking enough to be a rock star.

14. What are you doing now?

Believe it or not, I'm actually working as a truck driver at the moment. A friend of mine owns a light haulage firm and I help out a couple of days a week. I enjoy it, it's so completely different to writing, and you meet some incredible characters in the Greasy Joe cafes at the side of the motorway.

15. When do you write? Give us some idea of your writing space, and writing routine.

I seem to get my best writing done during the night. I like to get the day out of the way and then stay up till the early hours of the morning with a big pot of coffee and some good music in the background. I listen to a lot of music when I write. I use it to help influence my mood depending on what kind of scene I'm writing. Aggressive music for a fight scene, romantic music for a romantic scene. I usually have my pet coackatiel, Baxter, sitting on my shoulder too. He's good company because writing can get a bit lonely now and again. I feel slightly saner talking to him rather than myself all the time.

16. Which other contemporary children's authors do you admire?

At the moment Philip Pullman can do no wrong, the man is a genius. I'm jealous of the sheer size and scale of his imagination. I also like the American writer Cynthia D. Grant, because of the subjects she tackles and her honesty when writing about them. And of course Robert Westall will always be my hero.

17. Unusually for ACHUKA interviews we are conducting this one by phone and post. What keeps you from going online? Money, or disinterest?

It's money, I'm afraid. Remember what you were saying about teenage and young adult fiction not selling particularly well? But I have promised myself that one day I'll sort things out and go on-line. Some day soon I hope.

18. I am eagerly awaiting your next teenage novel. Can you give us some idea what it will be about?

The next one is called 'Happy', and it will hit the shelves this summer. It's about a group of friends who get together to form a rock band. It's my attempt to merge together my two loves of writing and music. I also wrote it because of some of the awful TV programmes that have tried to deal with the subject ('Hollyoaks' and CBBC's 'No Sweat' are the two biggest culprits). It seems obvious to me that they haven't got a clue about what it feels like to be in a band and have those kind of dreams. I used to play bass guitar in a local rock group a few years ago, and this book is for me to set things straight. It's about ambition and obsession. Oh, and friendship (naturally). It's for anybody who has ever played in a band, or anybody who wanted to play in a band, or watched a band, or bought a record, or listened to music. Or anybody who's had a dream of being something special.

19. Your first novel was given the promotion that every first novel deserves. My impression was that the second was left to fare for itself. Hopefully there'll be a significant promotion for the next teenage novel. Your record shop experience must have given you a view on marketing for a teenage audience. How do you rate children's books publicity?

If only we could market books like records, that would be wonderful. How come there are a dozen different magazines which deal with pop records but none available for books? Why are pop stars invited on to TV shows daily, when authors appear once in a blue moon? I could go on about this subject for hours, there's quite simply not enough done to promote fiction for young adults. But I guess it all comes down to money. Maybe the powers that be think there's not enough interest in books? Personally I think there could be. Possibly not short term, but I reckon that one hell of a marketing drive concerning the whole industry could build on the interest that is out there. Teenage books could become fashionable, trendy, the next rock n' roll... Although, thinking about it, who can blame a young girl for wanting a pin-up of Ronan Keating out of Boyzone on her bedroom wall instead of me. Pop stars fly all around the world performing live to millions of people, they wear outrageous clothes, trash hotel rooms, appear in movies, have wild parties. Authors sit at home and talk to cockatiels. I suppose Pete Johnson, Ian Strachan and I could get together and call ourselves 'Type That', but I can't see it catching on somehow.

20. Finally, do you see yourself staying in or leaving the Grimsby area, and why?

Id like to move, definitely. But I'm not exactly sure where I'd go. I'm just waiting for my girlfriend to finish her History degree at the University of East Anglia, and then I'll follow her wherever she manages to find work I suppose. Grimsby's fine, my family's here, but it's not exactly the most hip and happening place I could mention. I'd like to live in London for a while, although for not too long, and I'd also like to live abroad for a few years just to have that kind of experience. I'll simply have to wait and see what happens. Take it as it comes. I'm not too fussy where I end up to tell the truth, as long as there's a small room with a desk and a CD player where I can lock myself away and get some writing done.