TEN WORDS OR FEWER INTERVIEW: Duncan Heenan, author of Lead Us Not

Duncan Heenan, author of Lead Us Not, has been invited to take part in TriumphOfTheNow.com‘s “Ten Words or Fewer” interview format!

Read on below!

Q: What is the title of your book?
A: Lead Us Not.

Q: Why did you choose this title?
A: You can interpret it several ways.

Q: What’s the book about?
A: A novel about ordinary people coping with extraordinary events.

Q: Why did you write this book?
A:  It is a fictionalised reflection on my own experiences.

Q: And why now?
A: Not ‘now’. It has taken 30 years to write.

Q: Why do you write, generally?
A: Because I feel I have something to say.

Q: Where/how do you write?
A: When the spirit moves me, often late at night.

Q: Are you working on any new projects?
A: Yes, a children’s series.

Q: What/who do you read?
A: Everything and anything which takes my interest.

Q: Why do you read?
A: For information, enjoyment, education.

Q:Where/when you do read?
A: Whenever I can, wherever I happen to be.

Q: What are your politics/values?
A: Right of centre, Christian, traditionalist, naturist.

Q: Why might someone with oppositional politics/values enjoy your book? If they wouldn’t, do you regret that?
A: It is more observational than preachy.

Q: Describe the ideal reader of your book.
A: Mature in readership, not addicted to instant gratification.

Q: How do you relax?
A: Exercise, sport, nature and naturism.

Q: Are we alone in the universe?
A: Don’t know, but it doesn’t matter anyway.

Q: Do you listen to music?
A: I used to, but now I have hearing loss.

Q: What differentiates us from the animals?
A: I don’t know, because I have never been an animal.

Q: Do you have a mantra? If willing, please share.
A: No.

Q: What is your preferred breakfast – something you could have every day?
A: Full English with coffee.

Q: What’s the highest altitude you’ve been to on land? (i.e. not in a plane)
A: 13,000 feet, in the Andes.

Q: What’s the largest animal you’ve seen running free?
A: An Orca – swimming, not running.

Q: Which film/movie[s] from the past five years do you think will be future classics?
A: The Two Popes.

Q: Do you have any pets? Why/why not?
A: A small dog, really my wife’s.

Q: Where is somewhere you’ve been to that you will never return to? Why?
A: Israel, a country perpetually at war; internally and externally.

Q: When was the last time you climbed a tree?
A: Last week, when maintaining a churchyard.

Q: How often do you swim?
A: Thrice per week. I have swum the English Channel.

Q: What happened the last time you went on a first date?
A: We ended up married; for 54 years so far.

Q: What’s the best decision you’ve ever made?
A: To marry my wife.

Q: Would you relive your life as a spectator if you could?
A: No. Life is not a spectator sport.

Q: What is “cool”?
A: Naturism.

Q: Do you like routine or spontaneity?
A: There is a place for both.

Q: What do you need to thrive?
A: New things to be interested in.

Q: What do you need to survive?
A: A reason to survive.

Q: How do you nourish yourself on a psychological level?
A: New experiences. Questioning things.

Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Non-woke humour.

Q: What makes you cry?
A: Nostalgia.

Q: Do you have a favourite place? Where is it?
A: Blackgang Beach, Isle of Wight.

Q: What don’t you eat?
A: Semolina, Tapioca, Marrows.

Q: How did your oldest friendship begin?
A: My older brother, so it began with my birth.

Q: What is a soul?
A: It is what lives in your body and animates it.

Q: Have you ever been on a pilgrimage? If yes, where to? (Non-religious fine e.g. Abbey Road pedestrian crossing)
A: Iona – The Iona Community.

Q: Are you trained in first aid?
A: Yes, as part of my Yachtmaster sailing certificate.

Q: Have you ever written any songs? If yes, describe your sound.
A: No, but I have written alternative words to hymn tunes.

Q: What’s the biggest thing you’ve personally destroyed?
A: A large Ash tree.

Q: What are your weekend plans? Are these typical?
A: Church, swimming, clay pigeon shooting, sunbathing, family visits. Typical.

Q: Have you ever seen a monkey in the wild? If yes, where were you?
A: Yes. The rock of Gibraltar.

Q: Describe your hairstyle.
A: Mostly bald.

Q: What’s your favourite item of clothing?
A: Nothing, i.e. nudity.

Q: Would you like to suggest a new question for future interviewees?
A: If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be, and why?

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Bio:
Duncan Heenan is a Chartered Accountant who migrated via merchant banking into general management in manufacturing industry, where he spent most of his career; also co-leading a management buyout and subsequent business sale.

Married to an Anglican priest, and with grown up family, his career as well as his ‘normal’ family experiences inform his novel.

Having retired early, he discovered that there is life after work. Apart from writing, he has swum the English Channel, sailed around Britain and the Mediterranean, travelled the world, and campaigned on a number of social issues. He now lives in Worcestershire.

Purchasing link: Lead Us Not: Amazon.co.uk: Heenan, Duncan: 9781804399415: Books

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“Ten Words or Fewer” gives writers (novelists, poets, essayists, playwrights, screenwriters, anyone writing anything else) the opportunity to introduce themselves and their work. If interested in taking part, email triumphofthenow@gmail.com for more details.

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