Bard Boy is (chronologically) the third of Nigel's novels to be written, but the fourth to be published. The reason for this is that he couldn't find a suitable image to use as the cover for the book. For his remaining books, it proved relatively easy to find an image which reflected the main features of each book, but with Bard Boy's mixture of political satire, parochial humour and black comedy, it became clear early on that finding a suitable image for the cover wasn't going to be straightforward.
But we're starting at the end...
Where did the original idea come from? The work started as an entry for a competition to write a piece which reflected modern Welsh life. As a Welsh author living in Wales, ti would seem obvious that Nigel would be able to create such a piece without any real difficulty. His problem was that his view of Welsh life didn't seem to tally with anyone else's! In fact, it still seems that this inconsistency remains true. The truth is, that Nigel still finds it hard to take the culture and political life of his native country seriously, despite his best efforts.
Having been brought up in various parts of South Wales, he couldn't wait to escape from the narrow-minded parochialism of his upbringing, and embrace the wider world of University life in London. Sadly, there too he was to remain an outsider, instantly branded because of his accent.
'You're Welsh - you must be a Rugby player!'
'Well - no, I'm more into skiing - '
'Then you must be able to sing, Taff!'
'Well - yes, but my name's Nigel - '
It was this inability to fit into a cultural stereotype that lead eventually to the creation of Edward Williams, the young valleys' boy - innocent despite his eighteen years - who dreams of breaking out of the life mapped out for him (selling the Big Issue - eventually having his own dogs, too) and becoming a member of the best club in town - the Druids.
But it was the discovery of Iolo Morgannwg that really started me off down the whimsical trail to the new Wales. I loved the idea that a stonemason from South Wales could deceive the Welsh community in London with his announcements of long-lost poetry and bardic traditions that pre-dated the Romans. And the fact that his forgeries have left a legacy that still survives toady is even more remarkable. Coupling the idea of the Druids as a predatory political movement, masters of spin and propaganda, and young Edward Williams as a reincarnation of the putative founder of modern Druidism was irresistible!
The world Edward was to inhabit was less difficult; it merely required that the 'old ways' be translated into the modern world - instead of twitching net curtains, it seemed more obvious to use webcams to spy on the neighbours. And if you've ever had the opportunity of walking around Abergavenny on a Saturday night, you'll have no difficulty in recognising the Fenni Girls in their 'hen parties'.
I hope that my poking fun at just about everything Welsh doesn't offend anyone, as it wasn't intended to be malicious - if I wanted to live anywhere else, I would do!