Interview with Richard Collis, Author of The Pool

Richard Collis is an English teacher and author based in Portishead, where he lives with his wife and two sons. He has been teaching for over 18 years and holds a degree in English, Film, and Drama from Reading University. His debut novel, The Pool (2022), is a fantasy thriller inspired by the natural beauty of Silent Pool in Surrey, exploring themes of nature, love, and responsibility. Richard’s forthcoming book, Wolf Mother, set to release before Christmas, is a deeply personal story honoring the strength and sacrifices of mothers, inspired by his late mother.

1.You had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Enthusiastic, creative, family-man.

2. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and What made you want to start writing? Was there a moment that made you think, “I want to write a book”?

I never wanted to write a book! Around 20 years ago I was working a temporary job in between teacher training when I began to stop at the same place for lunch: Silent Pool, near Guildford, Surrey. The place inspired me and I began thinking about a story that existed around the location; I wrote parts of the story down… but I never even dreamed of getting it published until a chance meeting 20 years later with a publisher who read it and wanted to publish it.

3. Congratulations on the success of The Pool! What has been the most exciting part of seeing your debut novel out in the world?

The main enjoyment I get is when people contact me to tell me how much they’ve enjoyed reading it – the fact that I have been able to share something creative from my mind and hands, and that others have been a part of that journey.

4. You’ve been working on The Pool for 20 years. Can you share a surprising way your life experiences shaped the story?

The story, and I guess my style of writing, is very much inspired by Silent Pool and the natural world. The Pool is a story which celebrates the beauty and freedom and power of nature, and the choices we make as people that corrupt us. I think that, besides the actual location that shaped the story, it is something that comes very much from my enjoyment of stories since I was a little boy, which in turn inspired me to become an English teacher. It is the latest book, Wolf Mother (coming out to buy before Christmas) that is shaped by the loss of my mum earlier this year – it is a story that looks at strong, powerful mothers and the sacrifices that women make. I began writing it before she became unwell but its significance grew as I watched her decline. At times it was a very difficult story to write, and I struggled at times with the need to make it good so that it would do her memory justice.

5. Is there a specific scene or chapter in The Pool that you’re particularly proud of? What makes it stand out?

My writing style is quite descriptive and ‘dream-like’, almost… but there is one chapter in The Pool which, by design, is incredibly violent, and in that way stands out from the rest. I enjoyed writing it, but it is also incredibly important symbolically to show the contrasts between peace and nature, order and chaos, and to highlight man’s capacity for bloodlust.

6. How does Ivy’s struggle with her responsibilities and desires mirror challenges that people face in real life?

Ivy’s choices reflect many of those we make in life – do we do things for the good of ourselves or for the good of others? Ivy struggles with this for the majority of the book, and ultimately her decision bring about the consequences of the story. I’m not going to spoil it by revealing the events that happen, but sometimes something happens that pushes into an ultimate decision. But the book is more than just Ivy’s choices – it’s a book with a message about respecting and revering nature. In a world driven by technology and advancement, we should be celebrating power and beauty and chaos of nature.

7. What’s one unique aspect of Fenwood that sets it apart from other fictional cities, and how does it play a crucial role in the story?

Fenwood is a city that is detached from the world around it, both literally (well, almost – there are still trade routes, but they are a long way away) and certainly metaphorically. It is a city entirely reliant on the world around it – a symbiotic relationship with the natural world. For me, that’s what makes it unique. It needed to be that way, so that when the corruptive influences come it is a stark reality that contrasts with the innocence and vulnerability of Fenwood. The city is entirely fictional, but if one were to travel to Newland’s Corner and look down from atop the North Downs Way, the imaginings of where Fenwood are would be visible. It’s a stunning area that encapsulates, for me, the realization that we, people, are so small and insignificant in the world around us.

8. What was the most challenging scene to write in The Pool, and why?

Rather than a particular scene, the most challenging thing to write were all the bits I hadn’t written before! When I dug out the story from 20 years previous, I then had to go back and fill in the gaps I had left, which was tricky! Ultimately, of course, my writing had very much changed in the time that had passed, so I probably ended up rewriting most of it.

9. Being a film fanatic, if The Pool were adapted into a movie, who would be your dream cast?

I’ve been asked this before and I found it hard to answer. I didn’t write the book with anyone in mind. Ivy is only supposed to be in her mid to late teens, so anyone who is a ‘celebrity’ wouldn’t fit the bill – and, actually, an ‘unknown’ young actress would be my choice! For the character of Rukmahl I’d want Daniel Day-Lewis… but only because he is a chameleon of an actor who I think would be able to pull off the nuances of that particular character.

10. How do you balance the demands of teaching and writing, and how has your family been involved in your writing journey?

With great difficulty! The writing is very much a lone process so they are not particularly involved in the process at all. At the time when the publishing deal came along I was moving to part-time teaching with my wife returning to a leadership position after being at home with our boys when they were young; that was a serendipitous moment that allowed me to complete writing, editing and marketing The Pool. With the new book, Wolf Mother, that has been trickier which has resulted in it take much longer than expected / wanted. I still work 4 days a week now, which gives me 1 day a week where I can write as well as getting housework and life admin done.

11. Do you have other writers in the family and friends?

Nope! My dad is an avid reader… but other than that I cannot think of anyone else I know who has written a book!

12. How would you describe the “The Pool ” in just a few words to make someone want to pick it up and read it right away?

The Pool is a fantasy thriller set in the fictional city of Fenwood. It is a story of love and duty, of innocence and corruption, and ultimately about the power of nature.

13. Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud of your progress as a writer?

It would have to be the moment I was given the first ‘author copy’ of The Pool to look over. It was definitely the moment when all the writing and meetings and theoretical conversations about design etc. became a reality, and the moment when I believed finally that it was all real!

14. Are there any specific authors or books that have influenced your writing style?

Without a doubt, Tolkien. When I first read The Lord of the Rings as a 10 or 11 year old, I’d never experienced such a sense of awe. I’ve read it numerous times since (even taking it with me on a 6 month trip around Europe) and that feeling I had as a child is still the feeling I get today. The building of worlds, the beauty in the descriptive language, the universal themes and values that it upholds… I will never cease to feel so many emotions when I read it.

15. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring authors based on your experience writing The Pool?

To just keep going, keep trying. There have been times when I’ve doubted it was all real, times when I’ve doubted I’m good enough, times when it was just too hard to find the words… but they pass, and (to paraphrase Tolkien) when the sun does shine it shines out the brighter.

16. If someone wanted to reach out to you for a project or collaboration, what’s the best way for them to get in touch?

I’m easily contactable through my Facebook and Instagram pages: Richard Collis / rich_collis_author. I’m also planning on launching a website in the near future… but got work to do to get Wolf Mother ready to be out for sale by Christmas!