Paul Ariss

I'm predominantly a script writer, and this is my first forage into the world of short stories. I've had comedy material used on sketch shows on both BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4, and was one of the winners of The World Cup Tapes on Radio 5. In addition I was a shadow writer on series 7 & 8 of Channel 4's Shameless, and was a contributor to it's online platform. Shortlisted in The Red Planet Prize and the BBC Writers Prize, writing for me is all about the thrill of discovering new stories from both reality and your imagination, and the characters you find suddenly inhabiting your head, seeing them grow and take over.

Credentials

Paul Ariss in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

1998 in Prescot, Merseyside.

What do you love about short stories?

I love the way they come to visit for a while, take you somewhere you didn't expect and then put you back where you started before you'd even realised you were gone.

Do you write in other forms?

Radio and TV scripts, and the occasional music review.

What distracts you from writing?

Me really. When you strip it all away and stop blaming life, it's really me that's the big distraction.

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Photography, Football and Music.

What is your favourite book?

Very traditional I'm afraid, Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

Who are your favourite writers?

Charles Dickens, James Lee Burke and Stephen King.

Where is your dream location?

Banff, Canada.

What one item would you put into Room 101?

At the moment, just the trapped nerve in my shoulder!

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Commit. Then you can take all the torment and frustration and doubt that leads to the occasional bouts of sheer joy that makes it all worthwhile.