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Probably, the best surprise of the evening was that I spent most of the
time talking to Phil Collins. I had only met him once before quite briefly
as he was coming up some stairs and I was going down. I was quite
enchanted by him, and I really enjoyed that.
WOG: Was that your first contact with anyone in the band since your
departure or had you maintained any close relationships?
CS: I think it was, actually, apart from Ant. I’ve run into Ant a
couple of times, but he’d left (Genesis) long ago as well. It was a bit
later, I think, but Tony Banks came out here and had lunch with us one day
while he was on holiday in Spain, but I think that was after [the 1998
reunion]. So, I guess it really was the first time.
It was quite a treat, I was excited
about it. They also
flew me in to England and home again to participate, which was great.
WOG: Was that when Peter Gabriel got a copy of Driving
Over Lemons and wrote the comments featured in your book?
CS: My publisher thought that it might be an interesting idea to
get somebody who is not from the literary world to say something nice
about
the book. It actually happened through my friend, Richard Mc Phail, who
was someone who was involved with the band, who I have been in contact
with all of the time. Richard said, “Let’s go and see Peter.”
Richard took me to see Peter and I asked him, “How about reading this
book?” and he said “yes,” and was very nice
about it.
WOG: With the initial success of the first two books and a third
book on the way, do you anticipate exploring other literary avenues? Maybe
trying fiction or something along those lines?
CS: Oh yeah! Absolutely! I very much want to write a novel. I feel
in a way that the stuff I write, although people seem to like it – it
goes down well, but it’s very easy. It’s just sort of extended diary
pieces. I write what happens to me, but I’ve never actually gotten
around to creating my own characters or creating my own situations.
That’s what I would really like to do. So, I would like to write a novel. I would like to do some travel books,
too. A novel, travel books, and another autobiography.
WOG: Even the way you describe the landscape in your books, sounds
like it would lend itself to the backdrop of a fictional novel.
CS: You’re right. I have got a novel
planned, which does take place here, because, as you say, it’s a really
wild landscape here and really wild things have happened here in the
not-so-distant past.
WOG: I'll look forward to reading that. I appreciate your time.
CS:
My pleasure! I enjoyed our conversation. Take care!
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Recommended
Books
& Music Featuring
Chris Stewart
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