What do you look for in a writer's group Kamran, and what sort of feedback do you find helpful?

I've never interacted with a writer's group before. I guess I'm looking for some honest critique of my writing from a fairly diverse group of people. As far as feedback is concerned, I like it to be as specific as possible. I don't mind brutal reviews. Take the story apart. Rip it to shreds, and tell me exactly what you got out of it. One of the things that attracted me to The Phoenix was that around 60-70 % of the reviews I read were actually quite specific and honest, without being the kind that drive budding writers to jump off buildings.

What is it about writing that keeps you coming back to it?

Well, I love it, I guess. That's about the only possible explanation for it. It's not my profession. I've never made any money from it. And the process frequently involves a heck of a lot of hair-pulling and silent cursing. Then there are those late nights, followed by bouts of severe drowsiness at the office the next day. Yet, I keep doing it, so I must love it!

Do you have any special rituals for writing?

I like to start with the traditional Booting Up the PC ritual, followed by the solemn and ceremonial Launching of the Word ritual. This is then followed by several hours of the very intense Pounding on the Keyboard ritual, with a few curses and swears thrown in for good measure.

How do you come up with your ideas for stories?

Mostly, they come to me when I'm listening to music. I listen to a song, and I automatically start visualizing a music video to go with it. The music and the images in my head invariably set the mood and tone for a story. Sometimes its a really good story, and I write it down. Mostly, its just a really weird music video.

What is your ultimate idea of success as a writer?

Something like what J.K. Rowling has achieved. I'm not talking about the millions and millions she must be raking in (although that would be really really nice!), but about the millions and millions who absolutely adore her stories. To write something that people read over and over and over again because they just can't get enough of it; to have them clamouring for more, actually foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the next one; to have the words linger in their heads long after they're done reading; and most of all, to leave them feeling very very good about everything after they're done reading it; those are my ideas of success as a writer.

To date, what has been your most exciting moment as a writer?

Hmmm ... tough one ... let's see now ... well, having my first story put up at The Phoenix was pretty exciting. More exciting still was that it was pretty well received (for once, nobody suggested that I might be ready for the gentlemen in the white coats).

What are your thoughts on the old saying, "Writers should write what they know"?

Who came up with that anyway? I suppose its a fine guideline for beginners who have trouble lending authenticity to their work, but for heaven's sake! If people followed that rule, where would we get some of the world's greatest works of fiction from? Has J.K. Rowling actually been to Hogwarts? Did J.R.R. Tolkien personally map out Middle Earth? Has Thomas Harris actually fed someone their own brain?

Like most people, I read and write to escape what I know, not to dwell in it. Writers need to let their imaginations go crazy. In my opinion, the person who wrote that writers should write what they know didn't know what he/she was writing about.

How do you like to relax, what are your hobbies?

Well, when I want some quiet time I read a book, watch a good movie, or go for a drive. When I feel like making people hopping mad, I go around snapping pictures of them when they're not expecting it. When I feel like beating the pants off of someone, I play table-tennis. When I feel like having the pants beaten off of me, I play cricket, volleyball, or snooker. When I feel like really really really punishing myself, I start punching out stories. And when nothing else works, I eat lots and lots of chocolate!

Have you had anything published yet, and what was that like? If not, would you try to get your work published, and why or why not?

I've never had anything published. I've never even submitted anything for publication, unless you count school and college magazines. Why? Well, I've just never written anything half-way substantial. There are a lot of ideas for full-blown novels rolling around in my head, but I just can't seem to string them together.

If you could be any character in Fiction or non-fiction, who would that be.... and why?

Easy. The George Peppard character in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Do I really need to say why? :)

What is the most valuable piece of writing wisdom or help what you have been given, and why?

Writers, especially beginning writers, are often afraid to actually write what's in their heads, for fear that they might reveal too much of themselves. The idea that a complete stranger will read your work and form a mental image of you from it paralyzes many people.

A teacher of mine once told me never to be afraid to put anything down on paper, no matter how much it might terrify me. After all, I get first look at it, and if it is indeed awful, I can always burn it. That is perhaps the most helpful piece of advice I have ever received.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our writers?

Always keep writing. Don't be afraid to express what's in your mind. No matter how weird or kooky an idea may seem to you, there will always be someone out there who's weirder and kookier. And if that person is named Thomas Harris or Stephen King, then he's a heck of a lot richer too - so never hesitate to write!