GP Taylor stops writing to care for daughter
16th October 2009
Shadowmancer author Graham Taylor is to stop writing to look after his daughter, who is suffering from an incurable disease.
The author, who publishes as GP Taylor, revealed that he will postpone his writing career to care for his 11-year-old daughter Lydia after she developed Crohn's disease.
'Looking after Lydia is going to be a lifelong thing and I've made my decision. I've realised that I've got to stop writing until she's of an age where she's more able to look after herself,' the 51-year-old explained.
The writer, whose debut was picked up by Faber & Faber for GBP 314,000 - three times more than the advance for JK Rowling's first book - said his daughter's current condition is a 'nightmare' but added that he is praying for a fast improvement.
Taylor explained that Lydia has already had eight operations as a result of her disease and is suffering from seizures and chronic headaches, while he had a major heart operation last month.
In an interview with the Guardian, the author said that he was influenced by Dracula when crafting Shadowmancer and writes for children who want to be frightened by literature.