One of the world’s most successful authors answers readers’ questions on his sources of inspiration, the colour of fear, knowing when to quit – and why manual labour is invaluable for writers
I once entered a short story competition in the Guardian, judged by you, but failed. Is it simply a case of trying until something sticks? Or is accepting a lack of talent a relief over chasing an impossible dream? EvolAnth
Well, it’s not necessarily a lack of talent. I think everybody has talent, but you have to hone it. The more you do it, the more you like it. And when you have talent, you want to do it, you know?
You signed my copy of Christine with the words “Keep on screaming for vengeance” because I was wearing a Judas Priest badge. Is music still important to you? RobFrampton
Yeah, music is still important to me. I’ve moved on from Judas Priest because I couldn’t get the rights to use the lyrics from You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ for my [2008] novel, Duma Key. So I’ve moved on to Rancid, Nazareth, Anthrax and Metallica. I don’t listen to music if I’m composing directly from my head to the page. When I’m rewriting, I like to listen to club music, disco or something with a repetitive beat that flows through my head and goes in one ear and out the other. Today I was listening to some zydeco music, and LCD Soundsystem. I like North American Scum, Losing My Edge and Daft Punk Is Playing at My House very much.