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Neil Nixon Interview
Posted on 02 December 2005. © Copyright 2004-2008 WriteWords
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WriteWords talks to Neil Nixon, published author of ten varied books; founder and leader of UK`s first full-time Higher Education course in Professional Writing; scriptwriter, journalist and lecturer. Also 'a lot more fun than the stark list of facts above would suggest'.
Tell us all about your writing background- what you’ve written, what you’re currently writing:
I’ve been a jobbing writer for years. So I’m always writing a range of things. At the moment I’m finishing off a second edition of a football based autobiography, I’ve just finished some film scripts and I’m working on some fiction projects. I also keep the journalism going by taking the odd commission for an article.
I’ve just completed my first editing job on a book. It’s been a moving and emotional project. I’ve been running a creative writing group in a hospice since January. Part of the project involved compiling a book. The end result has been a revelation, I didn’t think it possible we’d get anything as good.
Other than that, I’ve discovered over the years I’m really good at getting odd projects – particularly those aimed at niche markets – moving. Recently I’ve been helping a friend who runs a very niche business with his publicity and shopping for a new advertising agency.
How, when and why did you first start writing?
I can’t think of any one moment. The way I answer that question now is to say I’ve suffered from it all my life!
Who are your favourite writers and why?
Oh hell, we’ll be here all day. A couple of favourites because they have real sense of their own identity, a well developed ‘voice’ and the ability to surprise at any moment:
William Kotzwinkle (even the film tie-ins are decent books)
Magnus Mills
Other than that I’m impressed by the handful of writers who can fuse fact and fiction, take risks and not come off looking like pretentious idiots so step forward:
Paul Auster
Augusten Burroughs
& Davis Miller
How did you get your first commission?
Depends on whether you count little pieces in magazines or the first book. Either way; I was young, they were desperate and I bothered them until they gave in.
What's the worst thing about writing?
The uncertainties around whether projects in development will ever get to production. Also the often painful collision between things I care about and the grim realities of the market.
And the best?
The occasions when the above doesn’t apply. The chance to get paid for thinking things that would be a liability in real life.
Tell us what kind of response you get from audiences/readers and if/how this affects/influences your writing:
I’ve done everything from mainstream and corporate work to the sickest of sick humour, so I’ve had every kind of reaction. When I get the results I want or expect I keep on doing whatever it is I’m doing. When the results surprise me I try to figure out why.
What was your breakthrough moment?
There have been loads. Mainly those occasions when out of nowhere I had an idea and knew in a second I’d be living with the consequences for years, like developing the Professional Writing course I now run at NW Kent College. Often these ideas came when I was out running or on my mountain bike.
 Comments by other Members
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Posted by :
 Ian Smith 100 at 09:18 on 09 December 2005
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Shpoken like a true writer. Very niche. I'll have another. Cheers Neil. All the best for the Ann Widdecombe tie-in.
Ian Duncan Smith
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Posted by :
Zigeroon at 14:54 on 16 December 2005
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Neil
Thanks for the interesting interview and the off hand way you detail the obviously hard work involved in producing such a varied body of work.
I know what you mean about a constant stream of ideas, if only I could turn them into the joy of publcation. Onward and upward!
Great insight.
Andrew
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Posted by :
Neil Nixon at 09:36 on 19 December 2005
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IDS: I did a double take for a second, figuring you for the former leader turned novelist. Either way, I'll be sure to tell Ms Widdecombe that IDS says 'hi' at the gig in January.
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