Clive Gilson

The stories in Clive's books are linked by recurring themes of urban decay – splintered glass, dust motes and cracked plaster; the loss of loved ones, of the ability to remember; black and white movies of the mind; shafts of golden light shattered by war; haunted memories and the night darks. There is a poetic lilt to the narrative, that delights in the minutiae of observation, bringing the mundane into the spotlight, giving it a meaning and beauty that is mostly lost on us busy ones; there is the terror of the ordinary, the shadow in the midday sun; and then there is the humour: sharp, cynical, painfully astute.

Clive Gilson's stories reverberate in the mind, long after they've been read. They connect us in their telling, because we relate to these deep, dark moments of human emotion that make us who we are.

A recent interview with Clive Gilson (September 2017)

What do you read for pleasure?

I'm pretty eclectic. Recently finished a history of there Napoleonic Wars, followed by similar history of the American War of Independence, followed by The Bees... I try to mix fiction and non-fiction up to keep things fresh.

What is your e-reading device of choice?

I'm firmly an Apple fan. For eBooks I tend to stick to my tried and trusted iPad Mini. It does what I need to to do.

What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?

Making everything free... that got me a lot of early exposure, but generally speaking I just try to talk to people and keep things moving.

Describe your desk

It's a 1930's US made roll-top (without the now defunct roll-top). I like to buy broken things from auctions and then fix them up. This desk has been stripped down and fully repaired, painted smoke green eggshell with drawer fronts and top in natural oak, and I spent a bit of cash putting a leather inset onto the top - again, dark green. I love my desk...

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

Around London, mostly. Not much of an influence - I tend to find other writers and story-tellers much more of an influence - although a few of the stories in In Full Flow do take place in parts of West London that I remember from childhood.

When did you first start writing?

I started at primary school - we always got asked to write a 'What I Did Over the Weekend" essay in Mrs Challis's class and I remember getting bored and making stories up - like the one when we went sailing and bumped into a submarine and had to make the captain a cup of tea by way of saying sorry... as far as I recall there isn't a nautical bone to be found anywhere in the family.

What's the story behind your latest book?

Lots. I love shorts. There are so many stories to tell - its a bit like Dylan Thomas and the badgers in his chest...

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

Realising that the storyboard and the notes and the thinking are illusions. Once we (the characters and I) get going - that's when it gets fun. We pretty well always end up in unforeseen places.

What are you working on next?

A few things... The next collection of shorts, of course. I've had a few longer pieces bubbling away as well, which I return to from time to time, and I'm picking up on a few of the more worthwhile competitions again after a few years out of that particular mix.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

Since my late wife died in 2010 after a long battle with breast cancer, I don't find that I need much motivation. Life is all too short and there are only 24 ours in a day. I keep busy during most of my waking hours, one way or another - writing, obviously, but there's a full-on day job, some antique restorations, fixing up old houses, walking dogs... busy...