With our recent publication of Angus Peter Campbell’s Electricity, we invited Angus to partake in our quick-fire Q&A!
What is a quick-fire Q&A?
We have our interviewee pick a number at random (between 1-42) and we ask them the general question listed next to it. Shortly after we switch to asking book-specific questions (1-22), to give you a brief insight into our wonderful writers and their books.
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What is your favourite thing about being an author?
Writing and getting to know the characters. Inhabiting and living in that world.
If it goes well, you forget that there's another alternative so-called ‘Real World’. You write another, not invented, but remembered and created world.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Possibly.
There was a day when I was in primary school, and there was a snowstorm. I was the only child who had to go to school. I can't imagine why I would have gone because I have brothers and sisters, but nobody else was there.
I remember the teacher, Miss McPhee, sitting by me. There was a peat-fire and she read a story. I just loved it.
I think I became a writer because of that moment.
What is something you take everywhere with you?
My wife and my toothbrush.
Where is your happy place?
This chair I'm sitting in or local walks.
In what ways have you changed as a writer since writing your first book?
Well, that’s such an important question. I think Mark Twain puts it best. Apparently, he wrote a letter saying, ‘I'm sorry, this is a long letter. If I had had more time, I would have made it much shorter.’ What I have learned is to write more simply, which is so difficult.
The man, knowing I was a native Gaelic speaker, said, ‘That's okay. You'll get the big words later.’
And I said,’ But no, I've passed through that stage.’
I've done the big words and gone to the other side. But I choose not to use them.
What was your favourite book as a child?
Probably The Beano and The Dandy.
What is the main message you would like people to take from this book?
That life is beautiful and that they are beautiful. Everyone has a remarkable life and it's just amazing.
What emotional reaction do you expect people to have to it?
I like what Allan Massie said in his review in The Scotsman, that it is fine to be kind and gentle. You don't need to be judgmental and all the rest of it, just that kindness is okay. I hope others feel the same way.
What is something people would not know about this book just by reading it?
There was a missing full stop and the editor had to blackmail me not to put any more additions in. On that promise, she would tell me where the missing full stop was.
Why did you choose the title that you did?
I think it just summarised everything about the book.
Part of the spark that led to the book was rereading Marshall McLuhan's The Medium is the Message. It allowed me to understand that the arrival of electricity didn't just give us light but transformed time.
It took a long time to achieve things, but electricity made everything instant. ‘Electricity’ just sums up the kind of crossroads at which the world changed from slowness to speed.
