Tell me about your background. Where you grew up, where you live now, education, work experience? Share some interesting things about yourself that we should know about.
I am a British citizen but have a permanent residency in the United States. They call me a resident alien. I think I must be a small green man from out of space, which is appropriate as my current book is to be called ‘Annabelle’ and she goes on a trip to Saturn with NASA with disastrous results.
However, I am 75 years old, although I do not feel it. I retired many years ago from business in the UK where I was a chartered surveyor. You don’t have the equivalent over here, but basically I dealt with Property Management.
What inspired you to write this book? What is the story behind the story?
I live now in Sarasota, Florida, in a golf club community named Lakewood Ranch. This is my paradise. I was married until five years ago, and after that I thought I needed something to occupy myself, so I took up writing fiction. All my stories are based on either my personal experiences, history or current affairs. I have always loved travel and have seen much of the world.
Every day I see things that are of interest and those incidents go into my books with amendments to make the adventure realistic.
My first book was Revenge is Mine, it is a story of ISIS, two generals’ families are killed in a cruise missile attack, and they set out to kill the President of the US. The story revolves around how they gained access to the country and the escapades with the FBI. He book is about love, adventure and intrigue. One of the ladies then goes to Syria with ISIS, but it does not turn out how she expected.
The next two books are FBI type books involving drug smuggling, treasure hunting in Mexico’s underground caverns. That is From a Jack to a king.Both these books would make good movie material.
The third book Daylight Robbery is as its name suggests, and I am the executive producer of a film that is made for the film festivals which are to take place when the current virus situation clears.
I have always had an interest in the legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood, so I wrote a series of four books about Merlin. There is no magic in my books, although I must say J. K. Rowling was an influence in my writing. My Merlin is a time traveler who goes back to Arthurian days with the ghost of the Lady of the Lake, Viviane, the first book is called Merlin’s Secret.He takes back information from today and they think he is a wizard. Three books have so far been published and they are all full of adventure through the ages, culminating at the end of World War II. I am working with two movie companies at the moment for the series to be made films. I found it interesting making conversations with William Shakespeare!
The last book to be published is Which is the Clone?About a young U.S. president who clones himself to come back as president later in life. Needless to say, the results are disastrous.
Do you write every single day? Any writing rituals?
I write most days, but not more than three hours at a time, but I spend all the time when I am out collecting ideas of events and people characters. I have always self-published, but I now publish the books myself and all are available on my website http://www.malcolmjohnbaker.us
What has been your biggest challenge or obstacle?
As strange as it might seem by biggest obstacle is grammar. I was hopeless at school, but I have to say that when I question people why do they like my books? I am told because they are readable, without having to look up the meaning of every other word. I think many more writers should go along that route This is particularly relevant if English is not your native language.
Share some tips for other Authors or Aspiring Authors: What would you do differently? What would you do the same? Please share anything you think would be beneficial to those reading this.
To any aspiring writers I would say be careful once you get to the publication stage. There are many companies out there who are only interested in getting their income not yours.
