Interview with Timothy Carter

www.timothycarterworld.com

Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

After seeing Transformers: The Movie back in 1986. I was always coming up with stories before then, but that movie made such an impression on me… so full of imagination. I knew I wanted to create something just as fantastic.

I’m quite serious about this. Sure, it was just a cartoon created to sell toys, but it was so much more than that to me. It came at just the right time in my life, and made me realize storytelling was something I was deeply passionate about.

Also, it was The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams that made me realize how much fun books could be. After reading it, I began pounding out all kinds of short stories, most of them in the sci/fi and fantasy genre, and many with an Adams-style of humour.

Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?

My road was a long, dark tunnel through the mountain of publication. There were many side-roads, but almost all of them were dead ends (rejections). I had a few useful maps (like the Institute for Children’s Literature correspondence course) to guide me, and my passengers (writing groups) offered good direction. Some roads I couldn’t go down because my car (my writing) needed a tune-up. Other roads would only open to cars with a GPS system (an agent). Luckily for me I wound up with a great model (Attack of the Intergalactic Soul Hunters) and found a well-lit tunnel (Llewellyn) that finally took me further into the mountain. I still have a long way to go before I reach the summit, however. Hopefully, by the time I reach that peak, I’ll have found a better metaphor.

Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?

EVIL? is another of my trademark humorous fantasies, and it pokes fun at certain aspects of religion through the use of some, how shall I put it, touchy subject matter. In other words, EVIL? is exactly the sort of book that religious fanatics would want to burn.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

I already mentioned Douglas Adams, whose work really gave my imagination a kick-start. There’s also Terry Pratchett, whose work is unlike any other author’s out there. My favourite source of inspiration, however, is Robert Rankin. His books are so creative, and his style of writing is one of the funniest I’ve ever read.

Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!

They are indeed thrilled! My wife Violet is a gifted photographer and poet – we met at a spoken word event that was run by a mutual friend. Together Violet and I are raising a cat, Karma, who is a very naughty boy.

My side of the family are from England, hers from Hungary. My parents are retired and living in Ottawa, but hers have regrettably passed away. I have an older brother and younger sister, both of whom live in Toronto with me. Violet has an older sister who lives in Brockville. I hope to see as many of them as possible over Christmas.

Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?

Chicken wings. I just love them. I’m also a big fan of Jalapeno and Cheddar Doritos.

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?

Make tea, drink tea, watch The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

The toys. I’m an adult (technically), but I have more toys now than when I was ten. Most of them are Transformers. I will never get tired of them. I also have an Indiana Jones action figure from the latest movie, and a Weevil monster from the British series Torchwood.

Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?

I really don’t do abstract, but I’ll give it a shot. I’d be a nice, friendly yellow, a fun colour.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

That’s a toss-up between Eric Cartman (South Park) and the Tick (The Tick).

Which cartoon character is most like you?

Stan Marsh (South Park). I also have more than a few traits in common with Spongebob Squarepants.

If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?

I suppose I’d go back to 1977 to watch the very first Star Wars movie in the theatre again for the first time.

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to? Favorite musical artists? Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

80’s rock. Nothing better. I’m also a fan of movie scores, especially the works of John Williams.

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows? Movies you watch over and over again? What was the last movie you saw at the theater?

I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and am currently enjoying the new Doctor Who series. Movies I watch repeatedly include Transformers: The Movie (no surprise there), Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The last movie I saw at the theatre was Avatar, in 3D. Wow, was that ever cool!

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?

Be true to yourself. Nobody will do that for you. Quite the opposite, in fact.

One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?

More funny stuff, for sure. Also some serious stuff. Well, more serious than EPOCH and EVIL?, anyway. My editors are looking at a book of mine about Cupids right now, and it’s a fairly serious fantasy. Never fear, though, I have many more comedies yet to tell.

I’m also thinking of going back to my Middle-Grade roots and doing some more kids books. I love that age group, and I really want to write more stories for them.

Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!