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(1998-08-01)What was your first job?
Labourer, digging foundations. Then I moved to working for Pepsi Cola as a lorry-driver's mate. Who makes you laugh?
Any politician talking about honour, morality, decency or courage. Which of your novels did you most enjoy writing?
LEGEND. It was a golden time in my life. I could write it better now - and yet it wouldn't be as good. LEGEND has all the flaws you expect in a first novel, but it has a heart that wouldn't be bettered by improving its style. I am as proud of that book as I am of anything I've done in my life. How would you describe yourself?
Tall and flawed. What was the first piece of fiction you wrote?
THE MAN FROM MIAMI, a novel about an assassin. It was so bad it could curdle milk at fifty paces. What qualities do you most admire in others?
Loyalty, with courage coming a very close second. What's the best thing about being an author?
Being your own boss. What's the worst thing about being an author?
Being your own boss. Who is your hero?
Currently, it's Ronald Reagan. After years of politicians seeking to remove morality from the question of East-West relations he had the courage to set out to destroy communism, describing it as an evil empire, and setting in place all the elements that would later smash the Iron Curtain. If you were a superhero, which powers would you like to have?
The Flash. I could write faster. What are you doing at the weekend?
Desperately trying to meet the next deadline. 
Copyright© 2002 Orbit. All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. The interview has been provided by Orbit and is printed with their permission. | 
