So, lets start with the easy ones... 

What is your name? David Clegg

What genre do you write? Currently military sci-fi/space opera, with plans for fantasy as well

Which author would you like to invite for dinner? Either Bernard Cornwell or David Weber. Both are huge influences on my writing style and setting. 

When did you start writing? I started writing as a small child, in primary school. I always liked doing the creative writing tasks. I carried on as a teenager, but never finished anything, and as a young adult I got more serious, but again, never really finished anything. I did some fan-fic for Star Wars, Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica, I did online RPGs and I started a fantasy novel. I do plan to revisit that setting in the future.

What does your writing space look like?  t's an absolute mess. I've got one of those glass corner-desks with the raised platform for a computer monitor and sliding keyboard drawer. The drawer has been removed and the raised platform now has plants, a lantern and a plush toy Great Cthulhu glowering at me. The other part of the desk, to my right, has my miniature painting station, paints, brushes and WiP models on it, along with another lantern (I really like lanterns) and an untidy heap of tape, modelling tools and other bits, and the broadband router.

How often do you write? Not as often as I should. I sometimes struggle for motivation and other tasks will distract me from doing it. I don't have a set schedule or daily word-count target. I work when I can, when I have time and when it's flowing. If I try to do some and it's like pulling teeth, I generally leave it, but when it's working I can bash out a few thousand words at a time. In my younger days, I used to do over ten thousand words a day when I was on form. I'd love to be able to do that now.

Do you have any advice for those starting out? Don't stress over it, don't punish yourself if you haven't done anything today, and don't force it. Readers can tell, and you'll only have to revise it later. Relax and enjoy it, writing is fun, don't let it become a chore – you will give up. I find planning very useful, but be prepared to adapt your plan as inspiration strikes you. Don't be afraid to change something, even big things, if you come up with​ a better idea.

What is your next project? I'm planning the sequel to The Aule Stratagem at the moment, continuing the story of the Confederacy's fight for independence, and indeed, survival, in the face of Imperial aggression. I don't want to give anything away, but we'll get to see more of the League, more intrigue and politics as well as plenty of action.

This section is a creative exercise. Book titles as questions.

let’s see what you come up with...

When will this cruel war be over? (By Barry Denenberg) 

As a very great man once said – only the dead have seen the end of war.

Who rules the world? (By Noam Chomsky) 

Ultimately, money. They say money talks, and I don't know if that's true, but the ones with the money make the rules. Big business, through lobby groups and campaign donations, exercise control over political processes. The people might vote for who their MP will be, and through that process, choose which party forms a government, but that party's policies are shaped, in large part, by the people paying the money. No party will risk alienating its big donors by making policies they don't like. Even without getting into issues like cronyism and nepotism, or even corruption, bribery, etc, this is always going to be the case. It was the case in the past, too. Look at the Romans, the rich and powerful ruled through their membership in the senate and the use of their wealth to literally buy votes. In medieval times, the kings of Europe, and indeed, the rest of the world, had to consider the great magnates' views and keep them happy. When they didn't, it meant big trouble. Just ask King John how upsetting the barons worked out. I seem to have got quite serious, and more than a little cynical, here...

Are you experienced? (By Jordan Sonnenblick) 

In lots of ways, yes. I have experience of different jobs and industries, including charity and private sector, and the armed forces. I have experience of living in poverty and I have the grey hairs to prove it. I've experienced political change and the biggest pandemic in a century. I've experienced grief and loss, isolation and heartbreak. I've experienced success and joy, friendship and love. I've experienced stress and worry such that I couldn't see a way out. I've grown and changed through it all. I realise this one's a bit serious as well, but it's a serious question. The point is, we're all experienced, in a lot of different ways, from our professional lives to our emotional selves, our spirituality, our families and relationships. We are shaped by our experiences, we learn from them and hopefully, grow and better ourselves.

Thank you so much