Keen reader Craig is a fan of Norman MacCaig, Enid Blyton, Matt Haig, JK Rowling and E.E. Cummings amongst others.
Favourite books include Dear Robert, Dear Spike – a book of letters between Robert Graves and Spike Milligan – and anything about politics and Christmas (though not in the same book).
Apart from poetry, Craig also enjoys reading sci-fi.
Although no one person in particular inspired Craig to write, there have been many encouraging teachers along the way. Plus, all the authors he's read, too. "James Altucher inspires me to keep on writing. He’s a very good and original writer and thinker."
The writer is also good with numbers and works as a tax and business consultant in the Highlands of Scotland, insisting: "I know, ZZZzzzzzzzz…. but it’s more interesting than it sounds."
With work commitments and a young son, does Craig find it easy to find time to write? "Not always, but I make the time. I nab a couple of hours first thing in the morning when I waken and it’s always possible to grab a half hour or an hour here and there later on in the day when commuting by train.
"The key is not to watch lousy late night TV or aimlessly wander around the internet/social media and have an early(ish) night."
"These days if I’m writing at home, it’s upstairs in my wee cottage overlooking the hills, but I also write when I’m on the move, so it can be a favourite coffee shop.
"When I lived in Edinburgh, I used to float around various coffee shops in Stockbridge and Marchmont and scribble away in them."
Are there certain times of the day Craig finds most productive for writing?
"Usually, first thing in the morning is best if I’m writing fiction but for poetry, but often, my best ideas occur late on the evening when the house is quiet (and so is my mind).
Editing is always best done during the day, but not first thing in the morning – and certainly never before coffee."
If you'd like to contact Craig, please email here:
