On Air with the Fizzogs

I had the privilege recently to be invited onto Black Country Radio, to talk to the Fizzogs about my latest book, Ascension. Whilst I had a wonderful time with these inimitable ladies, it required a huge amount of concentration to have to answer questions fired at me from all sides. I have been told by friends who listened in that I came across well, but believe me, that was a real fluke, as these ladies are both funny and gregarious, and therefore apt to hijack every innocently meant comment, and turn it into something completely different!

But what stuck me most about them is how different they are to their alter egos, the Dancing Grannies. I was curious to find out more.

How did you come up with the concept of the Dancing Grannies?

Sue: They were originally part of a comedy sketch - from two separate things. We just added some dancing at the end of the sketch and it went down a storm.

Then we decided to do flash mobs to hand out flyers about our shows. We did it as the Dancing Grannies and then suddenly, there was a video which went viral around the world. Since then we have had 19 viral videos with over 270 million views.

The Dancing Grannies are our most popular characters.

You've recently done Freezin', a Black Country take on the animation Frozen.

Sue: We enjoy doing non-traditional pantos, which is what Freezin' was. It's for adults, not children. It was so popular that we did a ten date tour that sold out, so we had to add another two dates to it.

And you have found fame with your radio show too!

Sue: Well we have a slot on Friday morning because it fits into our busy schedules. But we have such a good time on the show and I think that's what the listeners enjoy. We are totally unplanned and unprepared and we just go for it! You get to hear the real Fizzogs, not something planned and premeditated.

Well readers having been there and done that, I can attest to the truth of that statement.

So Fizzogs, keep on fizzing! We love you.

Happy reading!

Love is in the air!

Here is a little bit of the book I am currently working on. It's a dystopian science fiction story, with a smattering of romance.

“And he’s a very lucky man.”

I’m so surprised that he sounds genuine that I turn towards him. Surely there is some scorn subtly implied there that I have missed?

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes, of course. To have someone who loves you enough that they will risk everything for you, isn’t that what we all want?”

I answer his question with one of my own. “Is that what you want, Devlin?”

His eyes close and for a long time I think he is asleep but when his voice comes it is quiet and reflective. “ELSA won’t allow you back into the Dome.”

“I know.”

“Perhaps without him you might stand a chance, although you have rebelled against her, so it’s slim. But since she has already cast him out, there’s no chance for him.”

“I know. And there’s Willow too.”

“It can be a hard life out here in one of the Sectors.”

“I’ll cope.”

His eyes open. “Yes actually, I have no doubt that you will. But will they?”

“They’ll have to! And I’ll help them.” I close my eyes. I don’t want to talk anymore. Whatever will happen, will happen, and I’ll deal with it then. There’s no point in brooding upon conjecture.

Hmm what will happen next?

Happy reading.