Keith Clifton is bringing comedic flair, zest and theatrical tales to the floor! His collection of short stories are filled with humour, life-lessons and most importantly... some dancing!
"It has long been a passion to write entertaining stories for children using the experience I have had working with and being with children at our dance academy. To make a child smile is rewarding and heartwarming and writing takes that experience and joy to another level."
Keith Clifton has been the Co-Director of the highly successful 'Cliftons Dance Academy' in Grimsby with his Wife Judy for over 30 years, teaching and entertaining children of all ages.
He is the former World No. 1 Latin American dance competitor, four times British Champion, European, United Kingdom and International Champion. He is the father of Kevin and Joanne Clifton, Strictly Come Dancing winners and musical theatre stars! Keith has taught dance and lectured worlwide, along with examining and lecturing for the International Dance Teachers Association. He is also the Former Magistrate with Grimsby Adult and Youth Courts. Both Keith and Judy were winners of the Dancers’ Oscar, the prestigious Carl Alan Award, for outstanding services to ballroom dancing. He turned his hand to writing (seriously) about two years ago and we are so pleased to annouce that he is joining our Magic Mouse imprint to release his debut children's book of short stories.
What inspired you to start writing?
KC: Working with children for thirty years and making them laugh. There’s nothing more rewarding than making a child laugh.
How much research did you need to do for your book?
KC: None. My own crazy fantasies and absurdities that fill my head with pythonesque humour.
If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
KC: Thank you for making me smile, children smile and being absurdly funny when the world really needs to find laughter again.
What is your writing process like?
KC: Seat of the pants, kaleidoscopic imagery and story telling.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
KC: Quiet. Computer. Allowing my brain to act like a comedic scattergun!
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
KC: Spike Milligan.
If your book were made into a movie, which actors would play your characters?
KC: TOMMY: Kevin Clifton/Daniel Radcliffe
SCARECROW: David Tennant
ESMERELDA: Keira Knightley
SCARLETT: Joanne Clifton
KEITH: Martin Freeman
FARMER SIDEWAYS: Ricky Tomlinson
GRANDMA BISKIT: Olivia Coleman
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
KC: Wilbur Smith, Lee Childs and Michael Connelly.
How long have you been writing?
KC: Seriously, for 2 years.
What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?
KC: Don’t plan the perfect book before you start writing.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
KC: Life. What children say and their imagination.
Who is your favourite Author?
KC: Wilbur Smith.
What book could you read over and over again?
KC: 'When The Lion Feeds' by Wilbur Smith.
If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be?
KC: Eric Morecambe, the funniest man ever.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
KC: Only person in the world who has burned lettuce!
Describe yourself in one sentence.
KC: Frustrated comic entertainer and family man.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
KC: Banning anger and making laughing compulsory.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? By whom?
KC: "Never eat with your mouth full" - Mum.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
KC: A doctor, until I saw actual operations on TV.
Do you have hidden talents?
KC: Former 4x Professional Champion Latin American dancer with my wife Judy.
What fictional place would you like to visit most?
KC: The left side of Spike Milligan’s brain.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
KC: I don’t eat anything that my eyes don’t like.
Where you would you love to travel to?
KC: Disney World.
'A Collection of Theatrical Tales' by Keith Clifton is coming this Autumn/Winter 2021.
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