After reviewing Steve Bichard’s Vantastic France we wanted to know whether he’s like the main character Barry Taylor so we asked him that question and persuaded him to do an interview with The Good Life France! Steve says he’s nothing like Barry … well just a little bit!
What prompted your move to France?…
The way of life and to be with my partner, who has lived in Brittany France for many years.
Many people dream of telling their boss to stuff the job followed by a move to France to renovate a hovel with not much money – what’s your advice to them?…
Anything in life is possible if you have the convictions to realise your dreams, do not be put off by others who have failed.
At school I was terrible at …
Everything, which is why I found a great editor. I have learnt so much more about life by travelling and keeping an open mind.
I started writing when / because ….
I started writing 20 years ago when I came back from a great adventure in Portugal and felt that I could write a book about my adventures. It has yet to be published, but will be in the future.
My literary five-a-side football team would include . . .
Stephanie Dagg – Carol Drinkwater – Joanne Harris – Karen Wheeler – Deborah Lawrenson. Funnily enough they all write books about France.
If I listen to music when I write I usually put on . . .
I usually have Radio two on in the background; it has a nice mix of music nowadays. However living in rural France it is sometimes drowned out by the sound of a distant chainsaw!
I am kept awake at night by . . .
Thinking about new story lines that come to me in the middle of the night, a notepad and pen is always handy next the bed.
My guiltiest pleasure is . . .
Well as I live in France, it has to be wine of course.
Vin rouge or vin blanc?…
It depends what I am eating, red with a nice steak, white with a fish or pasta dish. My partner is a perfect cook; we really do enjoy the food and wines of France.
If I could go back in time I would . . .
Not do anything different, as it has got me where I am now and I couldn’t be more content with life.
If Steven Spielberg sees this interview on The Good Life France website and decides to make it into a film who would he get to play Barry in Vantastic France?….
Barry has a short temper, but is a big softie at heart. I think Jimmy Nail from Auf Wiedersehen Pet would be the perfect actor. I can just imagine him with his broad Geordie accent trying to speak French.
When Steven Spielberg’s film Vantastic France hits the silver screen – how do you think your friends and neighbours will react to your fame?….
Well if it really was Steven Spielberg, then I am sure they would all be queuing up for a hand-out. I would also have to hide from a few ex-pats, namely Clarissa who would be chasing me down the street whacking me on the head with her hand bag. Clarissa would obviously have to be played by Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping up Appearances).
