Justin Somper: A Self Portrait
Justin Somper Revealed
About Justin Somper
Revealing Questions
- Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
- A. A voyage of discovery
- Q. What is your motto or maxim?
- A. Trust the tide!
- Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
- A. A day which included as many of these elements as possible - the people I love (as many of them as possible), my dog, a productive bout of writing, swimming in the ocean OR a long walk in the countryside, reading, sunshine, good simple food, tea!
- Q. What’s your greatest fear?
- A. Heights
- Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
- A. Home
- Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
- A. I feel a strong sense of fellow-feeling with other writers, living and dead
- Q. Which living person do you most admire?
- A. My family and close friends
- Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
- A. Yes
- Q. What do you regret most?
- A. Worrying, rushing
- Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
- A. To slow down. Failing that, to sing.
- Q. What is your greatest achievement?
- A. I hope that my best work is ahead of me!
- Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
- A. Worrying too much, striving for perfection
- Q. What’s your best quality?
- A. Enthusiasm, loyalty, striving for perfection
- Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
- A. I'm content to be me
- Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
- A. Enthusiasm, creativity
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
- A. Jay Gatsby - not least because he's flawed
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
- A. Edmund (King Lear)/J R Ewing (Dallas)
- Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
- A. Shakespeare. How on earth did you manage to write so much amazing stuff?
- Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
- A. Mediocrity, rudeness
- Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
- A. Walking with my dog and other loved ones
- Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
- A. Theatre actor
- Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
- A. In my readers? Patience, loyalty, imagination.
- Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
- A. A chicken dish by Aussie chef Bill Grainger
- Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
- A. Here Comes The Sun (The Beatles), Skylark (Ella Fitzgerald), Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen), Black Coffee (Julie London), Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell)
On Books and Writing
- Q. Who are your favorite authors?
- A. F Scott Fitzgerald Tim Winton J D Salinger Ernest Hemingway James Joyce Tess Gerritsen P D James Stieg Larsson
- Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
- A. The Great Gatsby Cloudstreet For Esme With Love and Squalor The Sun Also Rises Dubliners
- Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
- A. Any and all of the above - they get better!
- Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
- A. Read! As often and widely as you can.
- Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
- A. When will the new book be ready?!
