Jimmy Docherty

Jimmy Docherty, author of The Ice Cream Con

This is your first published novel, how proud are you of it?

My emotions vary between mildly ecstatic to completely overwhelmed every time I see a copy of the book. It feels terrific when I think that I've actually written a book, but it's still weird when people refer to me as an author.

When you read it now is there anything you would change?

Every time I pick the book up I want to change something, I always think there's a way I could describe something better or make a line funnier. But there are people much cleverer than me like my publisher and editor who tell me when to put down the pen and step away from the book. I listen to them. They have bigger foreheads so their brains must be twice the size of mine.

Did you grow up on an estate like your character Jake's?

I grew up in a town called Coatbridge, where the majority of the people living there didn't have loads of money to splash around. There were rough areas, but you get rough areas wherever you go. If you wanted to get involved in crime, it was never too far away, but there was a great sense of community that encapsulated the area I lived in. Whenever a big fight broke out in the street, the neighbours wouldn't hide behind curtains like they do now. We would all gather in the street to watch it together. It was a very sociable experience. They were great days.

What did you do before you became a children's writer?

I was what is commonly referred to as an `aspiring children's writer'. That means I would spend a lot of my time thinking up childish and purile story's with fighting and belching and farting on every page. Not now though. Now I'm a real children's writer, with fighting and belching and farting on every page.

What made you start writing?

I find it very difficult to take things seriously. Every day my mind goes for a wander and I end up thinking of ridiculous situations and bizarre events, sometimes with real people, sometimes with totally made up people. I write commercials during the day, then at night I let my noggin do what it wants. More often than not, it wants to write daft stories. I think writing is a way for my head to empty itself.

You have worked with some very talented and famous people, Ewan McGregor and Johnny Vegas most fun to work with?

My most favourite person was Mr. T from the A-Team, he was my hero when I was a kid.
He was big and strong and had a cool mohawk hairdo. I liked him so much that I shaved my sisters head to look like Mr. T's when she was sleeping. (I didn't want to shave my own - I didn't like him that much). I've been lucky enough to have worked with loads of talented people, other favourites were Leslie Nielsen from Naked Gun, Johnny Vegas and Avid Merrion from Bo Selecta. They were all very funny.

Would you consider giving up your job to become a writer full-time?

If my boss is reading this, then of course I wouldn't give up my job. If my boss isn't reading this, then hell yes.

Are your characters based on anyone that you know?

Most of the characters in the book are either loosely based on people I know, or share characteristics with them. In the book Jake gets very embarassed because his Gran farts a lot. My own Gran used to break wind about four times a minute. Really loudly too. We all got so used to it that we kind of forgot how weird it was for a tiny old woman to fart like a foghorn all day every day. She was banned from all the libraries in Coatbridge.

Where do you get your ideas from?

No idea. I think when you're a kid your imagination gets to run wild because nobody tells you to grow up or act mature. When you get older people tell you it all the time, and maybe that's when you start to think too seriously about things. Every childish person I know comes up with great ideas. Mature people probably stop themselves from doing it. The best idea for ideas, is never grow up.

Do you have a favourite time and place to write?

I have an eighteen month old son, so after work I spend a lot of time with him and write once he is sleeping. I try and lock myself away with my laptop and my `Writing Survival Kit'; it consists of a large bottle of Diet Irn-Bru, crisps, sweets, cakes and sometimes a take-away. Then I eat all the food, drink all the juice and watch funny clips on You-Tube when I should be writing.

What do you like best about being a writer?

People call me a writer.
I've always wanted to be a writer. Actually that's a lie, I always wanted to be a footballer, but the next best thing was a writer.

Are you working on a follow-up to the Ice Cream Con?

I'm working on a different comedy idea right now for my second book, but after that I will be writing the next adventure for Jake and the Big Baresi, and I'm really looking forward to it. The idea is already there, and it's going to be a belter.

Advice to aspiring writers?

Write a book that you will want to read, not a book that you think others will want to read.
If you want to read a story about a giant Squid that joins the Royal Ballet and becomes the biggest dance sensation the world has ever seen!...then write it. Just don't expect me to read it, you weirdo.