My interview with Ian S. Varty

I first met Ian S. Varty on Twitter when we started supporting each other and re-tweeting. From there it progressed to chatting, following each other on Facebook, and finally becoming good friends. Ian is quite a secretive person, not doubt due to his background, but when you get to know him his unique personality shines through along with a sense of humour that rivals top dollar comedians. I can honestly say that LOL really does mean laugh out loud with Ian, and when he's on a roll he can keep you in stiches.
Ian S. Varty was born in the North East of England, before moving overseas with his parents due to his father being a member of the British Army. At 16 he left school and followed in his father's footsteps by joining the military, entering into the same regiment as his father had years before him. He spent 22 years in the service and travelled extensively, and says himself his career was a colourful one.
After leaving the forces Ian held a few jobs, never quite finding one that fit a need he felt within, and when his father died he began to question everything about his life. It was then that Ian decided to write recounting memories he has of his father, along with his own memories of places, situations, and people he himself worked with in his time in the military. Ian S. Varty writes fiction, but threaded throughout his work are pieces of his, and his fathers, real life, and I also know that Ian donates his royalties to a military charity organisation.


Here is what Ian S. Varty has to say...


Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
 
A couple of years after the death of my father in 2010. He used to tell me stories when I was young.
 
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
 
A way of honouring him by telling my account of the stories he told me about the army. Also hoping that he would be proud of me.
 
How long have you been writing?
 
Almost two years now
 
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
 
I spent 23 years in the British Army and saw many things both good and bad. I wanted to tell the true facts about the everyday soldier. I didn't want to glorify it as some have done in the past. War and conflict are difficult and ugly subjects but ones that need to be covered. I hope I have done this in a sensitive manner, sprinkling humour throughout. This typifies the normal British soldier.
 
Who is your favourite character, and why?
 
I don't have a particular favourite, but the one I'm closest to is the main one Richard Hunter. He is strangely enough very similar to myself in a lot of respects.
 
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
 
I don't know if it is a quirk but I tend to do my writing early in the morning, just after I have exercised. My brain seems to be firing better at that time. I work full time and find by the end of the day my motivation wanes slightly. I also have a notepad and pen by me all the time while watching TV. If I think of something I just put a quick note to remind me for later.
 
What does your family think of your work?
 
My family is very proud of the two books I have written so far.
 
Do you belong to any writing groups? And if so what do you think are the pros and cons?
 
I don't belong to any writing groups as I am naturally a shy person, tending to shun from being in the limelight. I do however plan to join one or more in the future.
 
How do you deal with writers block?
 
I normally find exercise, and long walks in the mountains, give me time for reflection. Discussions with friends about their memories also help.
 
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
 
I find punctuation quite difficult, as you will probably tell by my responses to these questions.
 
What do you enjoy the most about writing?
 
I enjoy creating a world that others may or may not have entered before. It is either familiar to some but also interesting to others. The ability to take a reader on a journey that due to their own personal circumstances they ordinarily would not have been able to take.
 
Where do you find your inspiration?
 
I find my inspiration from past experiences of my own, and others who I have served with. Some of those are no longer with us, and it is their memory that drives me on.
 
Are your characters based on anyone you know?
 
All my characters are based on people I know, though I do try and disguise them a little.
 
What do you do in your spare time to relax?
 
I love to cycle, take long walks, and socialise with friends.
 
What do you like to read?
 
I don't have a particular genre, I have read horror, science fiction, historical fiction and historical fact. I could list many more but don't think you want to read a novel.
 
Who is your favourite author?
 
I don't have a favourite but I do like Shakespeare, Dickens, Stephen King and James Herbert.
 
Where are your books available?
 
Only on Amazon at the moment.
 
What are you working on right now?
 
I am working on the final book in a Trilogy called "Quis Separabit" which means "Who Will Separate Us" and it was my former Regiments motto.
 
What is your ultimate goal?
 
My ultimate goal would be to write full time.
 
Do you have a favourite film? And if so what is it?
 
My favourite film is 300 with Gerard Butler.

 

Here is where you can find Ian S. Varty

 
Twitter: @iansvarty
 
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.co.uk/Ian-S-Varty
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iansvarty
 
Website: dragoon799.wordpress.com



I would like to take this last moment to thank Ian S. Varty for being willing to take part in my interview, and being willing to share himself with us for you to see the man behind the books. I hope you'll take the time to follow him on Twitter and Facebook, as well as taking a trip on over to Amazon to pick up a copy of one of his books. They'll be a great add to your summer reading list, as well as a donation to a very worthy cause.
Once again, thank you Ian S. Varty.

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