Born
St. Helier, Jersey, 4th October 1992
Educated
University of Winchester (Creative Writing)
Lives In
Jersey
Welcome, I’m Toby and I’m a 23-year-old aspiring novelist, short fiction writer and poet from Jersey in the Channel Islands. I was born and educated on the island at Victoria College where I achieved A-Levels in English Literature, Religious Studies and Media Studies. I grew up reading science-fiction and fantasy stories as well as listening to classical, rock and soundtrack music and the style of my writing reflects these influences as well as drawing upon my own inner self.
Away from writing, I enjoy reading, going for walks and participating in social activities with friends and family. Later on in 2015, I will graduate from Winchester. For the time being I’m concentrating on a desire to work in broadcast journalism.
Influences
My writing owes much to the influence of authors such as Douglas Adams, J.R.R. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, J.K. Rowling, Adrian Goldsworthy, Tom Holland and, more recently, H.G. Wells. In addition, much of my work has been inspired by listening to classical composers, including Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen and Gustav Holst: The Planets, as well as soundtrack composers, John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Murray Gold and Alan Silvestri, and British rock band, Muse.
Praise For ‘The Flying Dutchman’
This was a well-structured, descriptive and engaging tale which didn’t feel rushed and had the potential to be extended into a longer narrative.
Strong characterisation and dialogue contributed to the readability of the story.