Paul Curtis

Paul Curtis is approaching the noble age of fifty-two which he considers to be “optimistically middle aged, in so much that I know that well over half my life has gone but I’m still optimistic”. He has lived most of his life in Surrey, living and working in Woking for the past thirty years.

Paul has been writing for about twenty five years, “originally for my own amusement until i discovered the enjoyment of inflicting it onto others”. He is a regular contributor to Tracy Patrick’s Earth Love magazine, which is a collection of poetry and prose focused on the theme of nature and conservation, published in Scotland, and Lisa Stewart’s Decanto magazine of poetry, published on the south coast of England.

In April 2006, Paul became a part of Peculiar Poetry, a web site created by Patrick Winstanly, focusing predominately on humorous poetry.

In December 2007, at the BBC WM Christmas carol concert, St Philips Cathedral, Birmingham, a Paul Curtis poem was publicly performed. This was followed in May 2008, with Paul giving live readings of sporting poems on the Gordon Dalias radio show “Kick About” on Talk 107, based in Edinburgh.

Paul’s work is a true delight to read and hear. “I continue to try and reach as wide an audience as possible and contribute to a number of Ezines and Internet poetry sites.”

Interview with Paul

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Caterham, Surrey, England. My father was in the Army so, for the first seven years of my life, we lived in a variety of places in Surrey. Once my Dad left the army we lived briefly in Sussex and Cambridgeshire before settling in North London where we stayed for six years. By the time I left school we had moved again to Stevenage where we lived until returning to Surrey where I have lived in Woking for the past thirty years.

How has your up bringing influence your writing?
Well, moving around the country helped me to appreciate the diversity of our small country and this is reflected in my nature writings. The closeness of our family and the joy of growing up in a happy, loving home has been a great source of material.

Are you married? If so, when and how did you meet?
Yes. My wife’s name is Tina. We met in 1990 when she came to work for the same company as me.

Have you any children?
Yes. Three boys, Ben, Josh, Sam.

When did you first start creatively writing and why? What prompted you to become a writer?
I first got interested in writing when I was at school but I didn’t really pick it up again until I was in my thirties. At the time I was travelling a lot in Europe for my work and I started writing again. At first, as a means of killing time at airports and hotels but it then developed into a passion

What is your favourite book?
This is a difficult question because there are so many great books. If I have to chose one book it would have to be The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan. It’s a book I have read so many times, its like an old friend. It’s quite a simple story but the detail Buchan puts in is just outstanding.

What is your favourite poetry?
Another difficult question It would have to be To An Athlete Dying Young by A. E. Houseman because it optimizes one of life’s greatest tragedies – that of dying before your time.

What is your favourite short story?
This is an easy one! Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol because it sums up the Christmas season for me.

Who is your favourite writer?
I don’t have a favourite writer. I can narrow it down to three, in no particular order. Charles Dickens because he used his novels to highlight the injustices of life. Stephen King because of his wonderful imagination and wonderful characterisation. The queen of crime, Agatha Christie, for her brilliant yarns that are now woven into our culture.

What is your Favourite song?
Music is very important to me because it evokes memories of the past. My tastes are eclectic from Classical to Jazz and every thing in between except reggae and rap.

What are your Writing goals?
I suppose ultimately to have a book of my own published but I don’t really want to self publish.

What are your dream and goals?
To do more of the same.

What are your Hobbies?
I like painting and following our local football team

What is the writing process like for you? Do you sweat blood or do the words come easily?
I have as yet had no problem and the words come easy. My main problem is editing. I don’t like it, so I rush through it and end up having to do it again.

How many edits do you normally do before you feel your work is completed?
I suppose, if I’m honest, I always do one edit less than is needed.

Do you have an advice for aspiring writers?
Don’t be put off by negative comments, writing is subjective and you will never please everyone, so don’t try. You will soon learn the difference between constructive criticism and literary snobbery.