From YA fantasy to cowboy westerns, Rolant Tomos has worked across TV, film and novels. In this Writers at Work interview, Rolant shares a little of his story, his tips for catching your best ideas and the surprises that can be found along the creative way.

Tell us about your writing life. When did it start? What does it look like now?

I’ve been writing film and TV scripts since my 20s, and attempted my first novel in my late 40s. I’m currently bouncing between film, TV and novels depending on the story.

What kind of writing excites you most?

When characters do things I didn’t expect them to. It might have been subconsciously planned, but when they do something I haven’t actually thought about, it’s great fun.

What are you working on right now?

Finishing off Meirw Byw 2: Didudydd, a YA fantasy sequel. Starting my first novel for adults, a Western called Brithdir. Aur for TV, Diwedd y Byd  for film, and I’m also trying my hand at a few English language ideas.

Where do you write?

At the idea stage – everywhere, lots of scenes and events appear when I’m travelling, cooking or doing something other than writing. I usually carry a stack of colour postcards everywhere, then try to get those scribbles in order. At the writing stage I’m at my desk at home.

When do you write?

I’m at my best between 6am and noon, then I deteriorate as the rest of the world invades.

And… why do you write?

To try to make sense of it all.

Is there a book or author that has influenced you?

Every single thing I read or watch influences in some kind of way. Either ‘wow’ how did they come up with that or ‘hmmm’ how would I have done that.  Douglas Adams is a favourite, I also enjoy Cormac McCarthy, Manon Steffan Ros, Haruki Murakami, Megan Angharad Hunter, George Orwell, Georg Büchner, Llwyd Owen and I try to read Y Mabinogi at least once a year because there’s always something new to be found. Currently I’m reading cheap westerns.

Tell us about something you are really proud of.

I’ve recently been to a few schools to talk about writing, thanks to the Welsh Books Council. I’ve been going through the five-act structure with them, and to see the idea click with a few students and then pick up their biros is good.   

What’s the best advice you’ve been given as a writer developing your practice?

‘Give them what they want, but not in the way they expect it’ is a good one. ‘Write better’ is another.

There are so many ways to have a creative career. What would life as a ‘working’ writer look like for you?

Time to get under the skin of a character, ability to move on to another different project before returning to the previous one that has been stewing nicely. Repeating the process and learning new things as I go.