R.W. Wallace's Blog, page 5

The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra by Vaseem Khan

This week we’re going back to India (check it out on the map!), more specifically to Mumbai. Vaseem Khan takes us there with his story, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra (A Baby Ganesh Agency Investigation). The way he talks about the setting sure makes me want to read it!

How did the setting of your story impact your writing?

The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra (Book 1 in the Baby Ganesh Agency series) is a murder mystery set in the city of Mumbai featuring Inspector Ashwin Chopra (Retd), and his sidekick, a one-year-old baby elephant named Ganesha. Setting the story in Mumbai, a city that I lived in for 10 years, meant that I could take readers on a journey to the heart of modern India, a vibrant, congested, colourful, noisy, and truly exotic environment, a place where the impossible becomes merely improbable – I mean, where else could I cast an elephant as a crime-fighting sidekick?

How or why is the setting important to who your character is?

Mumbai is the city of dreams. People come to Mumbai to make their fortune, to become famous on the sets of the world’s most prolific movie industry – Bollywood, to start tiny businesses in the city’s slums. Chopra, a policeman for 30 years, sees the city with a policeman’s eyes; he see both the light and shadow in the city he loves. He is a man who possesses an innate sense of justice, and cares deeply about the social ills that plague his country. I try and weave these gritty social realities into the series.

Which location did you enjoy writing the most in your story? Why this one?

The Dharavi slum. When I first arrived in Mumbai every aspect about the city was an assault on the senses. I’ve tried to encapsulate this in my book. However, soon I began to see that there were aspects of this amazing place that required me to take a closer look. My first trip to the Dharavi slum left me open-mouthed. Poverty is endemic here, but what is worse is the acceptance of poverty, of poor sanitation, of limited medical facilities, of all the things we take for granted in the West. I enjoyed showcasing the slum because what also struck me was how hope continued to flourish there.

When you visited France, which location did you prefer? Why?

Paris. Specifically The Louvre. Not for the Mona Lisa but for everything else there! What an incredible treasure trove!

What do you think would be the greatest cultural shock for a Frenchman who visited the location of your story?

A French colleague of mine visited India for the first time recently. He had read my book in which I’ve tried to give a feel for what India looks like, sounds like, smells like, feels like and even tastes like, but he was still unprepared for the sheer reality of life there. Living in Mumbai is like living inside the brain of a mad scientist. Ideas are firing in an endless cannonade, spinning off to become a trillion new microcosms of reality, giving the city its kaleidoscopic shape and form. The writer Julius Sands once said: “The thing about Mumbai is that you can go five yards and all of human existence is revealed.” I agree with him, and so does my French friend!

 

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Pin a Book: Gold of Our Fathers by Kwei Quartey

This week, I’m pinning my first book in Africa to my map! Kwei Quartey takes us to Ghana with his book, Gold of Our Fathers 

Pin a Book: The Portia Adams Adventures by Angela Misri

This week Canadian Angela Misri takes us to 1930’s London! She apparently likes maps as much as I do – she has a Google map showing the locations and travels from her books. You can check it out here. You can also check out the updated Pin a Book map here.

How did the setting of your story impact your writing?

Dropping my Canadian detective at 221 Baker Street in London is a huge part of the story I tell. Baker Street has so much history that it’s almost a character itself, with its own personality and oddities. When I was last in London (2015) I made a concerted effort to travel like Portia, making my way from Baker Street to Scotland Yard, the various parks she visits, and some of the scenes of my fictional crimes. It really helps my imagination to be able to overlay the real experience of walking the streets of London even if it is a hundred years after my fictional character did the same.

Which location did you enjoy writing the most in your story? Why this one?

In my third book, Portia travels to Italy to save a Princess and spends the entire casebook at Racconiggi Castle in Caneo Italy. I really enjoyed researching and writing about the castle, and about the Italian countryside I think because it’s so different from my own urban experience.

When you visited France, which location did you prefer?

I adore France, and Paris is my favourite place to visit because of the opportunity for people-watching (something most authors enjoy and employ in their writing). I’ve been to France twice, and will go again I am sure because the combination of incredible food, amazing culture and fantastic people is very compelling.

Which part of the French archetype did you discover to be wrong?

The unfriendliness of the people was a stereotype that I was warned about and was entirely without foundation in my experience. I found the French to be lovely and inviting and very patient with my Québécois version of French. I was advised to order the table wine at local restaurants because it was part of the experience of the area of town I was in, and that was very good advice. I learned about many local preferences and their pairings with the meals I was served by following that advice.

What do you think would be the greatest cultural shock for a Frenchman who visited the location of your story?

That’s an interesting idea, especially if I bring the French person to 1930s London. I think there was less travel, even between European countries, during the Great Depression. I actually do have a French woman in my fourth book, who comes from a school for the deaf to coach Portia on sign-language. She is warm and understanding and though Portia initially distrusts her, she becomes an important friend over the course of the book.

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Pin a Book: A Mother’s Secret by Renita D’Silva

This week, I get another pin in the UK: Renita D’Silva. Like me, she seems to have several cultural influences and this shows up in her stories. For today’s post: A Mother’s Secret, which is set in India. The Pin a Book map is getting populated quite nicely!

How did the setting of your story impact your writing?

My stories are set partly in India and partly in the UK. In my stories, I attempt to contrast the cultures and attitudes in the two countries and explore the mindset of an immigrant, the question of displacement, the notion of belonging and the idea of home.

How or why is the setting important to who your character is?

My main characters are women who have grown up in India and are shaped by – or in some cases, refuse to be defined by – the constraints of a culture that tends to impose boundaries on them.

When you visited France, which location did you prefer?

I love everything about France, its historic towns, its wonderful, bustling cities, its quaint villages and scenic vineyards.

Which part of France was exactly as you’d imagined it?

I adored the food in France and it is every bit as amazing as they say.

 

Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but I will earn a small commission.

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Pin a Book: The Genevieve Lenard Series by Estelle Ryan

This week, I’m happy to present Estelle Ryan, the author of the Geneviève Lenard Series. They take place in Strasbourg – so I get a new pin in France on my Pin a Book map.  Even more exciting: she’s from South Africa – a whole new continent for the map

How did the setting of your story impact your writing?

Since Strasbourg is a European city and the team consists of individuals from all over the globe, it gave me the freedom to write truly international, multi-cultural stories. Even though the location doesn’t play a major role in any of the books in the series, its significance comes in its importance in the EU and the beauty of a city with a long history.

How or why is the setting important to who your character is?

Genevieve has found a home in a city that is not her hometown. The importance of the location is rather Strasbourg’s strategic position in the EU – it’s the official seat of the European Parliament; seats of the Council of Europe, the International Institute of Human Rights, Eurocorps headquarters and more than a dozen other international institutions. Add to that the beauty and history of the city and I have unending material for crimes and mysteries that Genevieve and her team needs to solve and/or prevent.

When you visited France, which location did you prefer? Why?

Ooh, this is a really difficult question to answer. France has so many different faces – the magical beauty of Paris, the quaintness of the smaller towns/villages, the breathtaking views of the countryside. Paris would be an obvious choice to feed my love for museums, art and history, but there are many other cities that offer just as inspirational visits into the past. For a peaceful brain-holiday, the countryside (and the good food!) is a must.

What gave you the greatest cultural shock when in France?

The price of croissants in Paris. Really!! I was horrified to pay so much for a puff-pastry. But I must admit it was worth it – especially sitting in a little cafe in the Montmarte neighbourhood, sipping coffee and eating my overpriced croissant.

Which part of the French archetype did you discover to be wrong?

French people are elitist, snobbish and rude towards tourists. That was not my experience at all! I found people friendly and willing to answer my many questions about customs I found strange/interesting. I know that there is a class system in France, but the people I met were either not part of the system or were indeed in the higher classes, but open and friendly towards strangers. My general impression of the French people are very favourable – I was made to feel very welcome.

What do you think would be the greatest cultural shock for a Frenchman who visited your home town?

If a French person visited South Africa, especially the countryside areas where I grew up, their shock would come from the lack of cultural activities. I need to qualify this by saying that we have many (amazing) cultural activities in South Africa, but fine arts and classical music are sadly not high on the list. Most people outside the major cities in South Africa have never seen an opera or a philharmonic orchestra performance on stage. That and seeing lions in their natural habitat. And possibly seeing a snake. Yup, that would be a shock!

 

Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but I will earn a small commission.

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Pin a Book: Running Towards Danger by Tina Clough

A new and exciting pin on the Pin a Book map this week: Tina Clough, the author of Running Towards Danger takes us to New Zealand! And she’s (originally) a fellow Scandinavian. Should be an interesting mix, don’t you think?

How did the setting of your story impact your writing?

The start of the story takes place in Auckland, New Zealand but it could have been anywhere. The rest of the action happens in a small place called Clive between Napier and Hastings in the Hawke’s Bay province (but Clive is called Riverton in the book). The twists and turns of the plot are very closely linked to real features in the landscape (rivers, bridges, railway lines etc) and it meant that I had to be careful not to create situations that took too many liberties with the facts.

How or why is the setting important to who your character is?

I don’t think it mattered as far as building a credible character – Karen/Cara could have lived in any western country, but I do think that I have given her a fairly typical NZ flavour – she’s strong minded, practical and physical.

When you visited France, which location did you prefer?

Loved the Loire valley and the Massif Central where we drove a rental car through hot summer days.

 Which part of the French archetype did you discover to be right?

The love of food and the little food shops – delightful and fun. Which I had expected. Can’t think of any impressions that turned out to be wrong apart from the fact that when we got robbed the police were amazing! Kind and patient and took endless trouble to ensure we had the documentation right, so we could make a claim on our travel insurance. My French friend found this nearly incredible when we told him of our wonderful police experience.

If you were to create a “typical French” character, how would you describe him/her?

I would use my very good friend Arnault as my model. He is a French chef who lives in NZ and I have known him for 20 years. A bit stroppy, stubborn, funny, affectionate and kind.

What do you think would be the greatest cultural shock for a Frenchman who visited your home town?

What most visitors comment on is the casual way we New Zealanders dress and how we invite people into our homes even the first time we meet them. French visitors say they find it amazing, so open.

 

Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but I will earn a small commission.

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The Red Brick Cellars: A Tolosa Mystery

A murdered mayor. A second body reduced to skeleton and dust. The public display so horrific that the police are baffled.

Everyone assumes uninterested heir Louis Saint-Blancat will finally settle down and focus on the politics of Toulouse, France. Louis becomes the center of attention in the press while his mother and sister pressure him to follow the family’s political tradition when all he wants is to track down his father’s killer, then return to his globe-trotting lifestyle.

Determined to ferret out the story behind the perplexing assassination that took place at the very center of Toulouse to advance her career, struggling English journalist Catherine Marty finds an unlikely ally in Louis.

Will the two sleuths discover what is lurking beneath the apparent congeniality of la Ville Rose?

 Buy Now

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Pin a Book: Murder in Cuba by Dianne Harman

It’s the middle of winter, how about a trip to Cuba? Dianne Harman proposes to take us there with her book, Murder in Cuba. Two new pins to the map!

How did the setting of your story impact your writing?

Murder in Cuba came about as a result of a fly fishing trip my husband and I took with a guide. He was asked by one of the fishing companies who operate there to visit in anticipation of the Americans being allowed to travel freely in Cuba. The island setting was seminal to the fishing, the murder, and yes, there really was a cat there!

 

Which part of the French archetype did you discover to be wrong?

As for France, I was in Provence and I loved it, very near to Marseille. While sometimes one hears that the French people don’t like Americans, that was not my experience at all. I had wonderful conversations and times with the local people and eagerly look to return.

 

Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but I will earn a small commission.

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Pin a Book: Meet me in Malmö by Torquil MacLeod

For this weeks post, I’m happy to introduce Torquil MacLeod, the author of a series taking place in Malmö, Sweden. Both Torquil and his book, Meet me in Malmö, are now on the Pin a Book map!

How did your setting of your story impact on your writing?

To me, whether the main setting is a city, town or rural location, it is like an extra character. You can’t imagine Morse without Oxford, Harry Hole without Oslo, or Chief Inspector Maigret without Paris. The location often reflects the main character, and vice versa. In my case, Malmö is almost the brand. It also anchors the stories, even if the characters wander off to other places – like Switzerland and Berlin in my last full-length novel, Midnight in Malmö. And describing Malmö is also a way of introducing readers to a Scandinavian city. As I don’t live there, I see it from the outside; it’s a different view from that of indigenous writers. But the city impacts on your writing because the story has to reflect what goes on in the chosen location. In Malmö’s case, it is a melting pot of nationalities and, since the Öresund Bridge linked it to Denmark in 2000, it has become very cosmopolitan. Other locations would throw up different types of plots. This, of course, creates other issues, which can also be used as stories.

Which location did you enjoy writing the most in your story?

When it comes to locations within Malmö, my most enjoyable was the most obvious – the extraordinary Turning Torso which was the largest building in Scandinavia at the time. On visits to the city, I had seen the tower growing, so it was perfect to use the completed structure in my first book, Meet me in Malmö.

When you visited France, which location did you prefer? Why?

I spent a number of childhood holidays camping in Normandy and Brittany. My parents had French friends in the area as well. With my own family, I had various trips to France and, at one stage, even contemplated living there. It was not to be and when our elder son ended up in Sweden, our attention was turned to Scandinavia. I particularly liked Normandy for the countryside, the castles, the history and the booze sections of the local supermarkets.

 

What part of the French archetype did you discover to be wrong?

The British in general seem to be slightly suspicious of the French. Part of that comes from the belief that the French can be unfriendly. I’ve found that if you make an attempt to speak a little French, however poor it is (in my case very poor), they happily respond.

I completely agree with Torquil’s comment on the unfriendliness of the French. The solution is to attempt to talk to them in French (even if you don’t speak it at all), then they’ll propose to switch into English and everybody is happy.

Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but I will earn a small commission.

Pin A Book: Last Prophecy of Rome by Iain King

For this weeks post, I’m happy to introduce Iain King, the author of Last Prophecy of Rome. This gives me new pins in England and Italy on the Pin a Book map!

I was curious about his views of the French, but it turns out the English just might have a more positive attitude than the French. It’s something I’ve never understood and after sixteen years of living in France, I’m still surprised every time a Frenchman dislikes the English on principle. 

How did the setting of your story impact your writing?

‘Last Prophecy of Rome’ starts and ends in the Italian capital. The story draws strongly on parallels between modern times and the ancient Roman empire.

How or why is the setting important to who your character is?

My hero is a maverick military historian – he understands war, and is struck by how the Roman Empire thrived on its conquests.

Which location did you enjoy writing the most in your story? Why this one?

The final scene, in the Pantheon, was perhaps the most fun. I had to draw on artistic licence to imagine that just two people could be in that most remarkable of churches. But the acoustics are amazing – even when you just write about them!

Have you visited France?

Yes, several times. I love it. I located on of the main scenes in my first thriller, ‘Secrets of the Last Nazi’, in the Forest of Compiègne, near where the armistices of November 1918 and June 1940 were signed.

When you visited France, which location did you prefer?

It depends on my mood! Parts of Paris are wonderful, but I also had a great trip to Normandy last year, and loved visiting all the historical sites associated with D-Day.

What gave you the greatest cultural shock when in France?

It has to be the language! I’ve forgotten all the French I learnt at school, and it takes me ages to try to decode what people are saying. And I usually get it wrong!

Which part of the French archetype did you discover to be wrong? Right?

There’s a presumption in some parts of Britain that French people are rude, or snooty. But I don’t think it’s true at all: they almost all seem very nice, polite and helpful. I’d say they tend to be more amenable than many British people.

 

Please note that Amazon links are affiliate links. You’ll pay the same price for anything you order, but I will earn a small commission.