John Pahl
Published Books
Who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself...
My name is Marc Harris. I was born in Cardiff, in 1962, and live in the Vale of Glamorgan. My home is in Dinas Powys, but I spend much of the year in a caravan overlooking the Bristol Channel from Wales, with stunning views of the sea. I have written four books and have hundreds of articles, poems, short stories and photographs published in very reputable magazines such as Evergreen, Explore England and The Countryman. I am a passionate cyclist, who has cycled thousands of miles in his lifetime, often in pursuit of the wonders of nature. The natural world has been the inspiration for much, but not all, of my writing. I live with my two rescue cats, who I adore.
What first inspired you to start writing?
An interesting question. My grandfather was something of a writer, and a great uncle wrote books about Devon and Cornwall. My father once told me that ‘there has always been a writer in the family’, although I do not know how far back into history that might extend. I always had the desire to express myself, and the written word provided me with that vehicle to do so. Inspiration has come from the many books I have read in my life, not all by great writers. Perhaps I was also attracted to the lifestyle of some writers, who were often seen as ‘outsiders’—a characteristic I would identify with. I have also always had the desire to ‘do something different’, and ‘not be one of the crowd’. Maybe this is something that I have now achieved, although I still feel there is a lot more to come!
What made you want to work with Rowanvale and be published?
I wanted to publish another book for my 60th birthday. If you like, it was a birthday present to me! I was looking for a publisher, and having been born in Wales, and returned to live in the Principality many years before, and with the book I chose to publish being about Wales, it made sense to go with a Welsh publisher. I was attracted to Rowanvale by their website, the way it was presented, and the publishing packages they offered. I thought, well, why not? Just give it a go!
When you’re not writing, what are you reading?
I do not read many books these days. I have read so many books over the years, but, if I do read a book, it is likely to be something by Robert Mcfarlane; a modern-day nature writer and explorer whose writing I admire immensely. I do, however, tend to read magazines such as Evergreen, a magazine to which I subscribe, and in which I have been regularly published for several years. If I do read a book though, it is highly likely to be a book about the natural world.
Which work are you most proud of?
The book I am most proud of is probably South and West Wales: Its Wildlife, People and Places; the book I have just published with Rowanvale Books. Although, I am very proud of my other books Rhythms of Nature, a book of poetry, published by Little Egret Press; a beautifully produced, limited-edition hard-back which was hand-bound, and which has sold-out. I am also proud of my other books, my poetry pamphlet Sentience, and the longest book I have written, Wild Tales & Rural Rides. South and West Wales: Its Wildlife, People and Places is my most commercial book.
What’s your best advice for handling writer's block?
Interesting question. Having turned 60, I really do not worry about writer’s block anymore. It certainly was an issue in the past, and I used to fret when I could not produce new ideas for writing. When writer’s block used to be an issue for me, I found physical exercise such as swimming, or going for a long cycle ride or walk, a wonderful way of producing fresh ideas. The act of physical exercise seemed to free my mind, and nurture new thoughts. Another tried and tested remedy is to have a notebook and pen on your bedside table, and when you wake up, write down anything that comes into your head. One thing I will say is that straining for new ideas never worked for me, and sitting in front of computer, twiddling my thumbs and trying to write when I was completely bereft of inspiration was a waste of time. Some writers task themselves with writing, for example, 1000 words a day, no matter what. For me, it is all about inspiration and ideas. If I do not have both I simply cannot write.
What’s one thing you always have with you when you’re writing?
I will keep this short: an open and enquiring mind.
What is the one book you would take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?
Tarka the Otter, by Henry Williamson. The book was written nearly a century ago. Williamson’s politics were not always that popular, but he was a great nature writer, and that is what interested me. It is a terrific book.
What is the best part about being an independently published author?
I suppose the best part about being an independently published author is you can choose what to publish, when you want to do so.
What’s next for you?
I intend to publish a book of short stories, highly likely with Rowanvale books in late 2023, if publishing schedules allow. My book will be a combination of haunting ghost stories and stories about the natural world, in all probability. The book is complete and just requires a final edit from myself. I may also do a travel-writing book about Cornwall at some point in the future. This is, in part, written, but would require further visits to Cornwall to research more material to augment what I already have.
