A Little Bit More... About Me!

[Roger Newbury]

So... I started reading fictional books properly when I was about 12 (I think), that is to say that apart from my normal 1st school (primary), of which English (reading & writing) I was pretty much very good at, and picked it up reasonably swiftly. However, I hated maths and so was very slow, but I'm much better now... thanks!!

I remember reading George G. Gilman western novels, about a man called Edge, set in the post American civil war. Then I read Martin Caidin's 'Cyborg'; which I'm sure most of you know was made into the TV series 'The Six Million Dollar Man' with Lee Majors as Steve Austin.

I also got into reading Clive Cussler novels, and the medical thrillers by that brilliant American doctor/author Robin Cook... these along with some earlier Richard Laymon books. I think it's because of these writers as well as the British writers, James Herbert, Shaun Hutson and more recently Mark Billingham, that have intrigued me and helped me to continue my own writing.

I have 4 completed stories, which I have submitted to publishers, alas failed to secure a deal. Of these I have also written the screenplay to 'Medusa's Curse' the supernatural horror story, as I felt at the time I was working on it, that it had great potential as a movie... but what do I know? However, I still believe in all four of my first stories, and perhaps one day I will see one of them published at least.

Although I still come up with stories for novels, in all of the genre's, I feel that my forte lies within my comedy stage plays; I discovered that I could write a full length comedy/drama, due to my experience with my local theatre. Unfortunately I am no longer involved with this establishment, as they tend to concentrate on musicals rather than comedy/drama productions. I have 'acted' in 4 productions in my time, 2 of which were Shakespearean efforts! 'Twelfth Night' as the 1st Officer, and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as Snug The Joiner.

I do believe that I have been able to create a unique and very different perspective where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian sleuth is concerned, as I try to bring into the storyline some rather unexpected twists to the plot, and some very colourful characters!

I'm also involved with my local community radio station, www.brfm.net who recently obtained a 5yr broadcasting licence from Ofcom, and we're coming up to our first birthday of operation! Please check out our website above.

I think that's all for now, will blog again soon!

Roger