Ask the Author: Paul Trembling
Answered Questions (12)
Paul Trembling
Hi Olusola. Sorry for the delay in replying, I've only just noticed your question. As far as I know, Lion Hudson haven't gone under, but they do seem to be cutting back on their adult fiction line, and have indicated to me that they are not interested in publishing any more of my 'Local' series of novels. Which is of course a bit of a disappointment, especially as I have number 4 completed and ready to go! I am looking around for another publisher or agent, but nothing yet, and there are a number of family matters that have had to take precedence, so it may be a while before I can get back to this.
Paul Trembling
Something was crawling off my face.
It was my skin.
It was my skin.
Paul Trembling
I certainly hope so! I don't have a contract for a series - my publisher (Lion Hudson) doesn't work that way - but I have plenty of ideas to develop.
I'm currently working on the third book, Local Legend, the first chapter of which you can find at the back of Local Artist. I'm currently about 15,000 words into the first draft, the intention is to have it out by autumn next year.
Beyond that, I have rough ideas for two more 'Local' books. And others could be developed. The 'strategy' (if that's not too grand a word!) that I'm following is to make each book about a different character. So Local Poet was about Rob Seaton. Local Artist takes one of the minor characters from the first book, the librarian Sandra Deeson, and tells her story. Local Legend (not a spoiler, it's in the extract included with Local Artist) is written from the POV of her husband, Graham Deeson.
This gives me a lot of flexibility for future books - every one of the minor characters could become main characters in the future.
Thanks for your interest. Feel free to ask any more questions you might have. You can also follow my writing page on Facebook (Paul Trembling - Writing) and/or look at my website. https://yearningblue.weebly.com/
I'm currently working on the third book, Local Legend, the first chapter of which you can find at the back of Local Artist. I'm currently about 15,000 words into the first draft, the intention is to have it out by autumn next year.
Beyond that, I have rough ideas for two more 'Local' books. And others could be developed. The 'strategy' (if that's not too grand a word!) that I'm following is to make each book about a different character. So Local Poet was about Rob Seaton. Local Artist takes one of the minor characters from the first book, the librarian Sandra Deeson, and tells her story. Local Legend (not a spoiler, it's in the extract included with Local Artist) is written from the POV of her husband, Graham Deeson.
This gives me a lot of flexibility for future books - every one of the minor characters could become main characters in the future.
Thanks for your interest. Feel free to ask any more questions you might have. You can also follow my writing page on Facebook (Paul Trembling - Writing) and/or look at my website. https://yearningblue.weebly.com/
Paul Trembling
My most recent novel, Local Artist, is currently with the publisher. It follows on from Local Poet, published 2016, but uses one of the minor characters from that book and makes them the main character. I used that approach to give it a fresh point of view whilst still maintaining continuity.
I also wanted to show some continuity of theme, so from Local Poet it was a fairly obvious move to Local Artist. The story comes out of the main character's job as a Librarian. It starts with an Art Exhibition being held at the Library - and the discovery of a body.
Yes, I know, a body in the Library sounds like a cliche! But this isn't Cluedo, I promise.
I also wanted to show some continuity of theme, so from Local Poet it was a fairly obvious move to Local Artist. The story comes out of the main character's job as a Librarian. It starts with an Art Exhibition being held at the Library - and the discovery of a body.
Yes, I know, a body in the Library sounds like a cliche! But this isn't Cluedo, I promise.
Paul Trembling
Currently waiting on my Kindle I have 'Dead Lions' a spy thriller by Mick Herron, 'End of the Roadie', a crime novel by Elizabeth Flynn, and 'Fortune Kookie' by Jean Gill. (Which I am reading under false pretences, as it's classified as Young Adult fiction, and I am far from that!). All these are authors I've read before and, knowing the quality of their work, I'm looking forward to some good reading!
On my real (as opposed to virtual) bookshelf, I have 'Hag Seed' by Margaret Attwood, a re-telling of Shakespeare's The Tempest'. But I may leave that for a while as I've just finished 'A Handmaid's Tale' (reviewed on Goodreads) - you can have too much of a good thing!
On my real (as opposed to virtual) bookshelf, I have 'Hag Seed' by Margaret Attwood, a re-telling of Shakespeare's The Tempest'. But I may leave that for a while as I've just finished 'A Handmaid's Tale' (reviewed on Goodreads) - you can have too much of a good thing!
Paul Trembling
As an ex-CSI I've got a lot of potential material for plots. For example, the man found in his car with serious and fatal injuries - apparently a suicide, but there was no sign of a weapon...
Paul Trembling
Sorry for the long delay in answering, I've only just come across the question! The atmosphere / mood in Eternity is Twenty Seconds Long is intended to be one of slowly growing horror, as the fate of the main character is revealed. This is in contrast to the setting, which is all about sunlight, relaxation and holiday mood.
Paul Trembling
Inspiration comes with practice! The more I write, the more I develop the various worlds and characters that I've invented, the more I want to explore them and learn about them.
There are other things as well. Reading something interesting (either in fiction or non-fiction) might send me off on a chain of speculation that leads to a story idea.
And sometimes ideas just appear in my head, unannounced, and the story begins to unfold without any intention on my part. It's both exciting and a little annoying when that happens. I really don't have time to be thinking about another story just now - but, on the other hand, that's a whole new world waiting to be explored.
There are other things as well. Reading something interesting (either in fiction or non-fiction) might send me off on a chain of speculation that leads to a story idea.
And sometimes ideas just appear in my head, unannounced, and the story begins to unfold without any intention on my part. It's both exciting and a little annoying when that happens. I really don't have time to be thinking about another story just now - but, on the other hand, that's a whole new world waiting to be explored.
Paul Trembling
I'm currently about 50,000 words into 'The Hidden Libraries' which is a follow up to my published fantasy novel 'The Empress's Lover'. (You can read the first draft of the opening chapter on my website, here - http://yearningblue.weebly.com/the-hi... )
Paul Trembling
There's only one way to be a writer, and that's to write. It might seem like a simplistic answer, but it's really the only one, and I expect nearly every other writer will say the same.
You can go to workshops, but you need to write as well. You can take a course, but you need to write. You can submit things to magazines, put them on line, contact agents and publishers - but keep writing. Or don't do any of these things (at least not at first) but do write.
You can go to workshops, but you need to write as well. You can take a course, but you need to write. You can submit things to magazines, put them on line, contact agents and publishers - but keep writing. Or don't do any of these things (at least not at first) but do write.
Paul Trembling
It makes day dreaming legitimate!
Paul Trembling
This isn't something that causes me too much of a problem. If I get to a point where I finding it hard to put the words together, it's usually a sign that I need to take a break, and think things through a bit more before going back to writing. But real, full-on, can't come up with a single idea writer's block I haven't had yet.
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Nov 08, 2020 01:06PM · flag
Nov 09, 2020 05:15AM · flag