FAQs

Instead of an ‘About Me’ page, I have chosen some of the common questions I am asked and the responses I gave. I will update this as the questions fall in and out of favour. The question I am asked with surprising frequency (and pretty unexpectedly, maybe it says something about where the world is at) is what I think is the meaning of life😊 Let’s get that out the way first.

What do you think is the meaning of life?
I think it’s the narrative we create for ourselves in our minds.

You well travelled…which countries did you actually live or work in and which was your favourite?
Let’s see…Canada, USA, England, Ireland, Belgium, France, South Africa, Mauritius, Malawi…and maybe Ireland was my favourite. Am planning to move to South America soon, maybe for a year or so (can’t say yet which country though).

What is your favourite book?
As with most people, it changes depending on my mood or experience. But one that always comes to mind is Waiting for Godot. I really did cry when I saw it on stage for the first time as a 22 year old. And every time I see the play, Didi’s desperation at the end really gets me, although I’m pleased to say I don’t cry anymore (usually). But as I say, these things change. I recently read The Old Man And The Sea, and … well, just exceptional.

You seem quite a highly strung person, what do you do to relax?
Well, um, thanks for that. I recently discovered how calm I feel while watching videos of sheepdogs herding sheep. So, probably that.

Bertha’s Law is spread across many African countries, have you really been to all of them? And to the exact places Bertha travelled to?
I’ve been to all the countries in the book except the DRC and Ethiopia. And, yes, I was in many of same places in Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya.

Your non-fiction seems to be a lot about mortality. Why?
It does seem to be, yes. I even drove a hearse for a while. I’m not sure why. I’ll ask my therapist.

How many books have you published or are on the way?
One in 2020, one in 2025, two in 2026, and some chapters and contributions to anthologies coming soon.

Why don’t you publish independently?
I am not opposed to it and would usually recommend it. I haven’t done so because, well, it is an insane amount of additional work. I have also had a great relationship with my publishers. However, you never know when you have a book that publishers don’t like and the effort of proposing and pitching may become just too much for me. I suspect at some stage I will publish independently.

Where do you live now and where were you born?
Are you planning to visit? At the moment in South Africa, near the sea, but spend long periods away. Am on a long term adventure to South America in 2026. As for born … well, I was told that one day in the semi-desert of the northern Cape South Africa, my parents found a large egg. They kept it and I hatched out.

Did you always want to be a writer?
No, my first recollection is wanting to be a clown (you’ll read about it in my memoir late 2026/7). Then I wanted to be the Pope or James Bond. At about age 16 I realised that wasn’t possible (it takes me a little while to work things out), and thus spent most my life working in science and medicine, although I did study Drama and worked in theatre and television for a few years. I fancied myself as a director, and writing is a bit like directing.

You have a French language book, what’s the connection with French?
My name, my love of the language, the times I spend in France and my very odd paternal grandfather who was a traveling salami salesman. The character of Alphonse in the episode Colesberg Call in Bertha’s Law was inspired by him.

What do you wish for most of all and what sends you into a rage?
My wish: that my son lives his truth, and that the natural world survives the human onslaught. I’m more optimistic about the former. And what sends me into a rage: injustice, cruelty to animals, rude people, bullying, definitely bullying, medicine that tastes bad (I mean is it really so difficult to fix that?)… I can carry on if you like?