Q&A WITH JOHN DRAKE
What is your favourite time in history to write about?
The Roman Empire at about 100 AD when it was reaching stability as a dominant world power, and was an urban, civilised, literate civilisation with great similarities to modern western civilisation. However, the flaws of a hero are more interesting than his super-powers. Think of Superman and Kryptonite. Thus, Rome had slavery, gladiators, grisly public executions and various other traditions that are God's gift to a novelist . . . and to readers!
If you could time travel to any year, when would it be?
To the wheelhouse of RMS Titanic, at 11.15 pm, on April 15th 1911, to order “Hard aport NOW!”
Who is your favourite author?
Kenneth Grahame for 'Wind in the Willows' which I truly adore. It is supposedly a children’s book about the adventures of riverside animals: Mole, Water-Rat, Badger and the glorious Toad, who is my favourite character in all literature. But! Grahame gives them the mores and behaviour of Edwardian country gentlemen, and his use of English is superbly elegant, poetic, and hilarious, while The Battle of Toad Hall (read the book to enjoy it) is one of the finest triumphs of good over evil and I just wish I could write like Grahame.
What book are you reading at the moment?
Roman Aqueducts and later Supply by Trevor Hodge. Yes, that's boring but it reflects the fact that I don't read fiction anymore, but vastly enjoy historical detail, believing that nothing a writer invents can compare with the bizarre, fascination of reality.