Scott Solder Revealed
About Scott Solder
-
What is your birthdate?:9/9
-
Previous occupations:Journalist, corporate trainer and consultant
-
Favorite job:I worked at the BBC for a long time. I loved it. For all its faults, it's a great organisation with some really nice and talented people.
-
High school and/or college:I went to school in East London, where I grew up. After that - Surrey University and City University in London.
-
Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:Alison Moyet
-
Favorite movie:Grease
-
Favorite television show:At the moment - I love True Blood. Also - Eastenders and Friends.
Revealing Questions
- Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
- A. full of surprises - mainly good ones
- Q. What is your motto or maxim?
- A. If you're enjoying it, do more of it. If you're not, do less.
- Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
- A. Being able to get what you want! But then I would say that, wouldn't I! Seriously, people are often unhappy because of something they can't control. I don't see any point in that. Perfect happiness is, I guess, accepting what you can't control - but learning how to make everything else work for you. Then you know you're making the most of everything. Oh - and an essential ingredient of perfect happiness HAS to be having a good laugh. It stops you taking things too seriously!
- Q. What’s your greatest fear?
- A. You know that story you hear sometimes of people who are still conscious on the operating table but can't move or speak ....? Uggggh.
- Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
- A. A pavement cafe anywhere in southern Europe. But I guess - if I had to choose - it would be in Barcelona. I also love Sydney. I think it's the city-on-the-beach thing.
- Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
- A. Cicero. I love an audience.
- Q. Which living person do you most admire?
- A. Richard Branson. He doesn't care if he gets the odd thing wrong - he just rips it up and starts again. He knows who he is and he doesn't take any notice of the naysayers. Good for him.
- Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
- A. Not sure they're printable ...(!)
- Q. What do you regret most?
- A. Well ... I don't really 'do' regret - because you can't change what's already happened, you see. I know it sounds corny but I really don't. I guess - if anything - I would really really have liked to have learned the piano properly when I was a kid because it's really hard to learn as a grown-up. And I do love a good singalong.
- Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
- A. erm - see previous answer. I'd like to be able to dance too. I can't dance. At all.
- Q. What is your greatest achievement?
- A. Writing this book. I still can't quite believe I've done it.
- Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
- A. I jump to conclusions a bit too much and I can be a bit mouthy, especially if I've had a couple of drinks.
- Q. What’s your best quality?
- A. Modesty. No - only joking. I'm pretty happy-go-lucky and don't take life too seriously.
- Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
- A. A cat. They don't need any books to help them get what they want. They have the perfect life.
- Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
- A. I talk a lot
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
- A. Hercule Poirot. He's really clever and enjoys the high life.
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
- A. JR Ewing
- Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
- A. Anne Frank. I would tell her how important and famous she was going to become after she died, because she had no idea.
- Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
- A. daylight saving - I don't like the dark nights in the winter
- Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
- A. Socialising. I love being with people - with food and a few drinks
- Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
- A. Err - author! Seriously. I have loved every minute of writing this book.
- Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
- A. Honesty, a 'can do' approach - and fun.
- Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
- A. Spag bol. Loved it ever since I was I kid.
- Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
- A. I am renowned for really bad, really cheesy musical tastes - but here goes: 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light' (Meatloaf - reminds of lost weekends partying as a teenager), 'Release Me' (Engelbert Humperdinck - my Mum's favourite song and it reminds me of her), 'As Long As He Needs Me' (from 'Oliver!' - I want it played at my funeral), 'The Wonder of You' (Elvis Presley - I'm under the misguided impression I can sing it at karaoke) and 'Winner Takes It All' (Abba - just a really brilliant song). See - I told you - cheesy.
On Books and Writing
- Q. Who are your favorite authors?
- A. Bill Bryson, JK Rowling, Armistead Maupin, Robert Harris and when I was a kid, Enid Blyton.
- Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
- A. 'Notes From A Small Island', 'Oliver Twist', 'The Beach, 'The Night Listener', 'Lord of the Flies'.
- Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
- A. 'Watching the English' by Kate Fox. I've read it several times - it's fascinating and really funny
- Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
- A. As a new writer myself - it's hard to say as I don't have a wealth of experience. I think it's probably this: if you have an idea, don't agonise over it - just start writing.
- Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
- A. I don't know yet - because the book isn't published until January 2010
- Q. How did you come to write You Need This Book ...?
- A. A combination of reasons. Mark, my co-author, and I have had a lot of success helping our business clients with these techniques via our consultancy. We decided to adapt them for everyday life so that they weren't just for use at work or in meetings. We also realized we'd picked up some great experiences and stories along the way - stories of people getting what they want in some way or another. So we threw everything into the mix to come up with the book - an entertaining (hopefully!) 'one stop shop' for people in both their work life and their personal life.
