An Interview with D.S. Hodges, Author of ‘The Barlow Bridge Machine’

Hannah Jenkins

the barlow bridge machine

Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

I am dyslexic. Not too unusual but enough to really cause me pain. Got to love a spell checker and a good editor!

 

How did you get into writing?

The usual story. Boy meets pen. Ditches pen for keyboard, flirted with voice to text but it was too moody for me so I took up the keyboard again. We now live happily together in Cairns, Australia.

 

Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?

Good question. It's set in WW II. A group of scientists develop time travel. It deals with some pretty important events during that period. Some stories I want to tell – like the demise of HMS Glorious, The rise of fascism in England and the Battle of Cable St. As with all my books, it's fiction based on actual events. Mmmm.

 

How long did it take you to write this book?

My last book took about 4 months of writing. It was away for two and a half months being reviewed, copy edited, etc. So that makes it over 6 months. But I wrote another whilst it was away.

 

Have you got any writing rituals?

Yes, I suppose I have. I like to write in the morning. Have a nap then do house work type stuff in the afternoon. My wife is away working, so I'm Mr Mop!

 

How important is marketing and social media for you?

Very. Without it Indi writers are silent.

 

What advice would you have for other writers?

Write. If it doesn't work, rewrite it. Don't ponder too much. I find as I start to write, the story unfolds.

The other thing is not to be afraid to use an editor.

 

What are you reading now?

I'm reading some research material about two things. The rise of fascism in Germany for my fourth book, Miriam, and also stories about HMS Pandora, a 28 gun naval frigate sent to capture the mutineers from The Bounty. That story will be book No. 5!

 

What's your next step?

Finish book four, Miriam. I'm 24,000 words in, so I'm getting there. Also going to do some promotion at local markets of my 2nd book ‘Little Miss Muffet' A historical fiction about the 1921 Mt. Mulligan mining disaster. Wish me luck!

 

What are your top 3 books of all time?

Besides mine? Oh. 1) Treasure Island. I said I was dyslexic and it was the first book I read. I was 11. 2) David Copperfield. Yes, I know. It's old but pure gold. 3) Patrick O'Brian – The Golden Ocean. I love all Patrick O'Brian's books. That one in particular.

 

Do you read your book reviews?

Usually.

 

Follow David on Twitter: @dshodges1

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