Published by Roger Short
I am a budding fiction writer currently working on a slightly tongue in cheek crime trilogy :Triple Edge - Decadence that deals with the linkages between organised crime, the financial institutions of the City of London and politics.
I tend to describe myself as a prolific reader and enjoy reading fiction of many genres but with a tendency towards, crime, thriller, humour and writers of non anglo-saxon ethnic backgrounds. I also read non fiction (politics, media/communication, development, gender and economics), and of course the many articles and data that I read for my book research.
About my background. I am Anglo-Italian and grew up in the UK and subsequently lived in Denmark, France/Switzerland and now in Italy. I started my working life in construction and attended university as a mature student. Much of my post-university work took me to many countries of the world: China; South East Asia; Mongolia; countries of the Former Soviet Union; the Caribbean; and Africa, in particular South Africa where I spent six months a year over a ten year period. I had first hand experience of the early years of transition in the Former Soviet Union including dealing with the social impact of closing Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
I have always wanted to be a writer. As trainee engineers, I recall sitting in a tree on a construction site with my friend Fred Hurr http://fredhurr.com reading books and discussing our common dream to one day become published writers. My work has always involved a considerable amount of writing but taking the time to fulfil the dream of writing fiction has always eluded me. Over the years I have started, paused for all too long intervals (I suppose I am not alone!) By late September 2013 I had passed 250 pages (2 years work) and was becoming disillusioned about progress. Then I attended a Writers and Artist Seminar in November; listened to Joanna Penn http://www.TheCreativePenn.com; what inspiration! I have started to follow her advice and hopefully I am on the road to completing my work. Of course there are still those days of "writers block" and wondering whether what I have written is a load of rubbish! However, Joanna's advice of basically "get-on-with-it" and don't keep revising has been a great help.
Apart from my reading interests, I enjoy cooking and experimenting with different cuisines. I have often cooked for up to thirty people (Italian, Chinese, Thai, Danish) and enjoy eating in company. I come from a railway family (father, grandfather were station masters) and that has remained in my blood! I have been helping with the plans to open what will probably be the first preserved railway line in Italy that will offer a serve similar to lines in the UK.
I strongly believe in empowerment, whether it be in the poor in developing world or youth. Some of my favourite sayings are "Always look on the bright side of life" and "give dreams a chance".
As to my private life I have an Italian wife who is very tolerant in helping me to achieve my writing dreams, a son, a daughter and two step daughters, and a granddaughter.
I stumble along in a number of languages (speaking Italian, Danish, French) and grasping text in German, Norwegian and Swedish!
Oh I almost forgot! I now and then torture my family by making them listen to the Goon Show whilst we are driving on long journeys. I have almost the full set of their shows.
TV series that probably had the greatest impact: Boys From the Black Stuff, Black Adder, Fawlty Towers.
Films that I have probably enjoyed most. Amarcord, 1900, Ipcress File, Wake up Ned, Italian Job (Michael Cane) (I live in Turin), Shirley Valentine, and most films with Peter Sellers - especially his earlier films.
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Roger Short