The Fastest Water Pistol in Splodge City follows a young boy visiting with his grandparents in the Arizona desert who winds up in an exciting Wild West showdown adventure. What was the inspiration for your story?

My grandson, Daniel remains the inspiration for my children’s books. During another difficult period of my life he came along just at the right time, and since his birth, he has been a constant inspiration to me. I firmly believe, that in everything we do in life, we need to be inspired – after all, life is not a rehearsal, and nothing is more important than family.

I am a big believer in fate, things happen for a reason, as has happened in my life. I started Biddick Hall Infants School in 1962; Daniel started the same school in 2022. He has called me Papa since he started to talk.

In addition to this, I wanted to write stories that would create escapism for children but at the same time add a dash of magic. I want children to understand that if they work hard, they can play hard too, and behind every marshmallow cloud, there is a dream – because dreams do come true.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Undoubtedly, good overcoming evil is the fundamental message in the book. The story also has a strong moral message, like ‘no one likes bullies.’

I also felt it was important to demonstrate that helping each other can have its rewards.

So, Daniel and his Papa along with the help of some colourful characters defeat the evil gun (water- pistol) slinger, Wild Will Hickory Dickory Jock.

I found Two Clouds to be an interesting character. What was your inspiration for that character and his role in the story?

Good questions, here is the short answer:

I am humbled to be one of the longest survivors of cancer in the UK at fifty years since diagnosis. I wrote my three-dimensional memoir, Me and My Shadow – memoirs of a cancer survivor, in the hope it would deliver hope and inspiration to anyone in society touched by cancer. I mentioned above about the importance of inspiration – my inspiration during the years of failed treatment was the Lakota Sioux Nation, after I read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, by Dee Brown. In 2018, despite being in the UK, I contacted the tribal council of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, in South Dakota, requesting a visit. Subsequently, I spent a week on the reservation with the indigenous people who, unknowingly supported me through my cancer journey – whilst there, I was made an honorary member of the tribal council.

In all of my books, there is a Native American. On this occasion, as the story is set in Arizona, then it had to be a Navajo.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

So this is the third book in a series of Daniel and Papa. The next release will be early 2025 and is title, Kingdom of Huckleberry Jam. On this adventure Daniel goes it alone and is tasked with saving the kingdom from an invasion of super powered ants, deriving there super power, and growing four- times larger from consuming huckleberry jam – hence their invasion.

Following this book, again likely for 2025, will be, Lunar Von Buella, the Mystical Mouse from Missoula. This is the story of a warlock from the underworld, determined to destroy the American dream with the help (against his will) of a field mouse called Lunar. During his vacation in Montana, and on a trip down the mighty Yellowstone River, Daniel is contacted once again by Two Clouds and tasked with stopping Zagan, the warlock.

Two further titles are complete but without a publication date: Admiral Percival Pigeonforge (the cave of eternal screams). Finally, Mind-Boggling Stories will be published at a future date.

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