I know this book is close to your heart, Brian. Can you give
us a bit of background on your inspiration for Degsy?
Degsy is based on my teen years growing in a gang
environment in South London. Although the book is fictional, real events did
occur. Sleeping rough on the streets of London, having to protect myself from
prowlers, taking solvents, drugs and alcohol to forget about the freezing cold
temperatures and about life for a while, but also having to dip the bins for
food. Fortunately, I never went to prison but spent time in a lock-up government
children’s home.
So you must relate to Degsy quite closely?
Very close. He’s also my hero. Every good thing he does, he
reminds me of me as a teen, wanting to get out of the gang trend and become a
different person.
Did the writing flow easily or did your closeness to the
subject matter present problems?
There were a lot of problems, some emotional. With every
sentence I wrote I was confronted with my past. But it got easier as I went
along.
It’s quite hard-hitting in places, covering violence and
abuse; was it harrowing to write?
It was, because my past was harrowing. But those same experiences
helped me to become a hardnut and I’d win most of my fights as a teen, which
went a long away in keeping me safe while roughing the streets.
Did you need to do a lot of research?
No not really. I knew what type of era I was brought up in.
Listening to and reading the media daily about youth knife crime and gangs, it
was important for me to write about this. And I wanted to try taking would-be
gang members into new, positive situations and a new kind of gang where they
can help those in the community where they live.
You have worked with young people to take them away from
gangs and street life, do you see the book as a continuation of that work?
Very much so, despite the barriers I'm facing from local
government and police. I have now promised myself that I'll make a movie out
of the books. I feel young people would pay more attention, watching a movie rather than
reading books. This, of course, will need sponsoring.
The ideas in the book mirror those that I would like to implement
in real life. The Hay Patrollers is a youth program, getting young people out
of gang life, encouraging them to find a place in the community. This not only
reduces crime by creating positive activities for those who participate, but
also it creates employment and respect. I haven’t heard of many communities
with similar ideas, creating employment and housing.
Book three in the series, Degsy Hay: Unit 16-21 (currently being written), not only explores the idea of providing apprenticeships, but also subsidising one-bed housing for each participant. This could become a huge, positive programme, but funding and
sponsors will be needed.
What are you hoping to achieve with the book?
As many
sales as possible so I can put 50% of the royalties back into the Hay
Patrollers programme and realise my dream of making a movie.
What’s the next step for you as a writer?
Complete book three, keep the Degsy franchise open and
perhaps write some thrillers or mysteries.
The first two books in the trilogy are available now and
receiving positive reviews
Degsy Hay: A Juvenile RedeemedDegsy Hay: The Hay Patrollers
Want to help? Support Brian's crucial community projects here.
Need writing support? Proofreading? Copy-editing? An assessment or synopsis? Check out the Whoosh! website
Want more writer interviews, articles and cool stuff? Follow
us on Twitter and Facebook