Kath Middleton's Blog, page 10

Author Chat - David Staniforth

David, I first discovered you as a writer of fantasy fiction. You created a world in Fuel to the Fire which was different and fascinating. Most of your output is fantasy. What draws you to this genre?

Hi Kath. Thank you for inviting me. You’ve got it looking nice in here.

I’m pleased to know that you found the world in “Fuel to the Fire” fascinating and different. In those two words, you’ve kind of summed up what draws me to that genre. Fantasy is pure escapism. I re-discovered a love of reading for pleasure, after a ten-year absence, in my mid twenties through a series of novels by Piers Anthony, titled “Incarnations of Immortality”. After reading that series, I was hooked, read loads of fantasy titles and gradually ran out of ones that captivated me as much as that first series. I realised it was because the characters weren’t doing the things I wanted them to do, and the plots weren’t unravelling in a way that satisfied me. It was at that point I started writing my own stories.

I did consider writing other genres, I had stories in mind, but I continued with fantasy because I thought writing realism would be harder, with a need for research to determine actual facts. In many ways, however, I think fantasy is harder to write. Yes, you can invent your own rules, but then you have to be true to them if you want the reader to stick with the story. You can’t draw references from the modern world of reality: the sound of a jet fighter taking off, for example. But all that aside, it’s just great fun, especially the creatures, especially dragons. And writing about magic, that’s simply reliving childhood dreams.

You’re right – it’s not a lack of rules in fantasy, it’s a new set of rules – and if the reader buys in to it, which you want, you have to stick to it yourself.

You've branched out now into the realms of the thriller with Imperfect Strangers. What's the secret of keeping the reader on edge?

It took quite a few reviews for me to believe I had managed to keep readers on edge. I don’t know if I hold the secret. It may have just been a lucky consequence of the way I wrote that book. I certainly didn’t work to any kind of formula or guide: I don’t think I could write in that way. 

Looking back analytically, though, I think a primary ingredient is creating characters that the reader cares about, even if they don’t really want to. The characters need to be believable and the impending threat needs to be credible. The narrative then needs to hint at a looming danger without actually giving. In that regard it’s not so much about what you tell, but what you don’t tell. Your last visitor, Mr Barrett (other than leaving traces of aluminium powder) compared writers to chickens. I’m going to compare readers to fish (please don’t be insulted) and the art of catching them. The writing needs a good hook with some tasty bait, that’s a given: the first line, paragraph, page needs to encourage them to bite. Once they’re hooked, that is when the hard work begins, with the need to keep alternating the tension (too much and the line snaps, losing its effect; too little and they get away and search for another hook). It might not be to everyone’s taste but I like a slow build up, with all the excitement ramping towards a steep incline in the latter 20% (that’s when you hopefully get the keep net out).

I originally wrote “Imperfect Strangers” in third person past tense, but for me the tension just wasn’t strong enough. I took the decision to re-write it in first person present tense, from the perspective of two main characters. I felt this worked much better. It allowed me to take the reader on a journey with each character and more closely align them with the character’s thoughts. It also allowed me overlap events and show each character seeing those events in a different way. Hopefully this causes readers to question the characters’ actions more than they otherwise would have done, feel nervous for them, and consequently be on edge.

You manage very well to get the reader on side with your characters in this. It’s horribly realistic, unlike some of those in your fantasy stories where bad is utterly bad!

From your covers which you design yourself, it's obvious that you have artistic or draughtsman tendencies. What's the story there?

I’ve drawn and painted as far back as I can remember. At school it was all I was good at. Getting an A for art every week was effortless. I came away from school at 16 with two ‘O’ levels: Art and technical drawing. I was useless at English and couldn’t spell for toffee (probably couldn’t spell toffee). I managed to get a job at a printer’s, working as a graphic designer. Years later, following redundancy, for some mad reason, I decided to take a BA in English studies; such was my desire to become a better writer.

I believe that love for the artistic plays a big part in my writing style, too. Many reviews mention the descriptive way in which I write. It’s true: I couldn’t do it any other way. I see images, and I write what I see.

As for the covers, creating them gives me as much pleasure as writing the words they hold.

It’s a gift. I wish I had it!

When I see reviews or comments on book groups it's obvious that you're being nagged by fantasy and thriller readers for more of their favourite. Where does your heart lie and do you think you'll try a third genre any time soon?

Funny you should mention that, Kath. As you know, I’ve recently published “Eye of Dominion”, a follow up to my “Alloria” fantasy novel. It was a long time coming for those that were waiting for it. I’m now writing my second thriller.

So, where does my heart lie? Firmly in the camp of both, is my answer. I honestly don’t believe there is a great deal of difference between fantasy and thriller. Fantasy can be just as thrilling as a thriller, if not more so, as some committed thriller readers will testify after giving “Alloria” a try. Thrillers, like fantasy are usually about the fight between good and evil, with good (for the most part) triumphing.

 I’m not sure if I will try another genre. In truth I didn’t set out to write a thriller. I set out to write, a character study, a psychological literary book about people; it turned out to be a thriller. If I set out to write a horror it would probably become dark fantasy or a dark thriller. If I set out to write a romantic comedy that too would probably veer to fantasy or thriller. Those two genres allow me to explore human nature to the full, so for now, unless the characters take me to new territory, that’s me sorted.

Yes, you can find connections, can’t you? Funny fantasy is great and some gritty thrillers can make you laugh in places.
We know what you write but what do you read? Is it fantasy or are you more of a literary omnivore?

I’m definitely a literary omnivore, Kath. I’ve just taken a look at my bookshelf for confirmation. Yes there are a lot of fantasy books sitting there, but I also don’t like a great deal of fantasy (unpronounceable names turn me right off. Can’t be doing with it). On my shelf there are also a good smattering of thrillers waiting their turn to be read. I’ve a number of literary novels both classic and modern. There are plays and poetry books, and a few light-hearted books by Sophie Kinsella (my daughter’s, honestly. But I still enjoy reading them). I enjoy unusual, genre defying books too, like “The end of Mr Y” and “Mr Penumbra’s 24 hour bookstore”.

The biggest criterion for me, is writing style. If it flows well, and I can identify with the characters, I don’t really care what genre the book is. If I find the journey from cover to cover satisfying, I don’t even mind if not much happens. I’ve read quite a few books more than once, and the reason to return has been for the characters more than for the plot. The books that really speak to me have strong characters, ones that draw me to spend time in their company again, just like visiting old friends.

Thanks, David. It’s been great to talk to you - and to see what you look like, for once. Don ‘t go hiding that pic away! David's Amazon Author page is here.

Tales of Ted

We all have the creative muse within us. We've just had the grandchildren staying for a week. The little fellow pictured here is called Bed Ted and he lives on the pillow of the bed in what is usually my writing room. Granddad was asked for bedtime stories about Ted so he began with a brainstorming session. Their ideas flowed out like spring water.

"Ted could get lonely."
"What would he do?"
"He could go outside looking for a friend."
"Who would he find outside?"
"He could pretend that he is a butterfly so that the butterflies could be his friends. He could drink some nectar."
"What would happen then?"
"He could try to make friends with a woodlouse and end up riding it round the garden." (He's a small Ted but that's stretching it a bit!).
"Then what?"
"He could get hit by a falling damson." (This happens in our garden.)

 That's just one of the stories. All Granddad has to do is embellish them a little and add the sound effects and funny voices. They are creating the characters and the plot.

 We all have storytelling within us. Why, when we get older, do we say we can't think of a story to tell?

Author Chat - Andrew Barrett

This is the first of what I intend to be an occasional series of Author Chat blog posts. It's a chance to get to know the person behind the books.
My first ‘victim’ is author Andrew Barrett. Now that I’ve got his Sunday name out of the way, I shall call him Andy. 

So, Andy, for the benefit of anyone who isn’t used to the expression indie author, can you explain it, and also tell us if you’d snap at a contract with a traditional publisher if they offered.

Hello Kath, and thank you very much for inviting me into your red velvet boudoir for a little chat over a glass of Cinzano.

An indie author is like a free-range chicken. She takes her pleasure eating any genre of food that takes her fancy. She is free to come and go and experience life almost at whim, and she’s free to drop an egg of any colour and of any shape and size as she sees fit. Most free-range chickens are paid peanuts – wait, that’s not right – they’re paid a pittance but have the luxury of freedom over their output and their input. Quality?

A battery hen on the other hand is told what genre of food to eat, when to eat, and how much. She’s told what colour eggs to produce, and what size and shape. She’s constrained by bars, and her life experience is usually only one genre deep – what she can see from behind those bars. She’s fed plenty because her carcass fetches more when slightly plump. Quantity?

 What I’m trying to say is the average indie author is master of many skills, from cover design to file preparation, from content to advertising. She has total freedom with advertising, with social media, with ouput, and sales channels. A trad author, in my view, is constrained by the publishing house, their rules, their royalty rates, their advertising ethos, even what they want you to write. Perhaps the biggest fear of mine would be their profit. You are, I believe, an expendable product, and when you fall out of favour, they will terminate your contract.

 Happily, there seems to be room enough for both, and the public will eat from two plates.

Despite the above, I’d be very interested to hear from a publishing house. Most of what I think I know is based upon rumour, so I’d be keen to see first-hand if the perceived disadvantages of being with a trad publisher are correct, and if they would outweigh the advantages of literally pleasing yourself.

That’s a great analogy!
I’ve been a fan of your writing since I read A Long Time Dead – over three years ago. Your latest books have featured Eddie Collins, Scenes of Crime Officer. He’s angry, belligerent; ‘not-a-people-person’ doesn’t even begin to describe him. He’s also meticulous and good at his job, but he’s unsociable and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Come on – be honest. How much of Andy Barrett is there in Eddie Collins?

Those who know me at work might say Eddie Collins is 100% Barrett. I sometimes wish I were brave enough to be Eddie, but I like my job and so I know when to keep my mouth shut! Doesn’t mean I can’t think it though.

There are so many things that anger me, same as they might anger any average person. And I think most of my anger can be condensed into one sentence: I hate injustice. Whether that’s a traffic light defaulted to red at 3am (it’s so unfair!), or whether it’s the thief who steals from a pensioner, or whether it’s the untruths told by our leaders – it comes down to being unjust.

Correct: I am not a people person. At all. I have half a dozen close friends with whom I share secrets, seek advice from, or offer advice to; the rest are simply people I know. Or tolerate.

There isn’t enough time for me to go through my reasons for being anti-social, except to say I prefer to live inside my own mind with my stories and my characters than I do living amongst most real people. It’s a nasty world out there – stay indoors.

And yes, in case you were thinking I’m egotistical, let me tell you that indeed I am very good at my job. Yes, very good.

Sadly, I’m not perfect. I miss things at crime scenes and I forget things at crime scenes, and even more than the red traffic light, missing things and forgetting things makes me furious with myself. I usually have only one crack at a crime scene, and then any evidence I miss is gone forever – I can’t easily tolerate my failings here because people, victims, are relying on me.

So how much of me is in Eddie Collins? A goodly portion, say 80% And I’d like to add a point here that is often missed when people talk about Eddie Collins and what a bad-tempered bastard he is: he is also full of compassion, and he’s fiercely loyal. Above all, whether he steps outside the law to fulfil a promise or prove a point, he believes in justice. His justice.

All your current output is crime/thriller. Do you think you’ll ever write in a different genre? If so, which calls to you in the pit of the night?

I love writing in the crime/thriller genre. It seems to me that fate gave me an overwhelming desire to write, and then furnished me with a job as a CSI. I threw a double six there, didn’t I? And don’t you think I’d be silly not to exploit it? I do, so I don’t.

However, I do appreciate horror, and I also appreciate some fantasy. I’ve always shied away from writing them since I figured I would get better results from writing what I know about (that bit is not true of everyone, though). But I’ve begun many a story in a creepy, cobweb-filled room, and some might be surprised to learn I’ve also experimented with fantasy on a fundamental level. I need to spend more time on these genres than I have available. I know how silly that sounds, but I like to keep up a steady flow of books, which means writing crime. If I were to take a break from crime, I would happily attempt a fantasy horror.

I would happily read it! Ah, for more time.
Are you planning any more Eddie Collins novels? Can you give us any ideas?

Yes. I love writing Eddie Collins; he’s so easy to write that it’s as natural as breathing. Nothing is firmed up yet but the last time I saw him, Eddie was pulling a body from a canal. Very near a village called Ledston Luck… it might just be the title for the next instalment.

Ledston Luck is a great name!
Do you have any sage advice for new writers?

We’re all new writers, aren’t we? Each time we begin another project, we’re on a journey of discovery, not only within the story, but within ourselves too. My, how deep was that?

Forget writing what you know (it’s the one piece of advice almost every How to Write a Book book tells you (unless it’s non-fiction of course!)), and write the kind of stories you enjoy reading. There’s a good reason for this: any reader will see straight through your attempts to enthral them with knitting pattern plots or accounting woes. If you enjoy Westerns, write one. Even if you’ve never been to a saloon in Hic County.

Forget writing for money. If you deliberately set out to earn cash as a fiction writer*, you will fail as surely as your plans to win the lottery. Unless you’re very lucky of course.

Write because you enjoy it, because you can’t live without it. Write because it makes you happy, and above all, write because of the chance to make other people happy.

A reader wants to disappear from their own world where the washing up and the vacuuming are waiting; they want to see if Wild Bob Hiccup is gonna get a belly full of lead when Jenny-Lou Stetson sees him stealing getaway horses.

Your plot will be thin and your characters shadows; you’ll think it’s just enough to get you to the finishing line but it won’t be because the finishing line is when you leave a reader satisfied.

Yep. It’s reader satisfaction that wins out.
And finally, which of your babies is the favourite? If you could only be remembered for one of your books, which would it be – and why?

Oooh, that’s an evil question! I see that glint in your eye, madam.

I wrote A Long Time Dead 18 years ago, and considering it was my first attempt and many people enjoyed it, it should be this one, eh? Well, no it’s not, actually. It’s a good story, but it’s not my best.

I have very fond memories of Stealing Elgar. I poured everything I had into that book: love, friendship, action, crime, guns, bombs, and all the police work I could muster. And it worked (for me) as a great all-round crime book. So it’s this one, right? Nope.

The Third Rule is massive and it’s not just padding. I was pleased as punch to have completed a 1000 page novel; an epic where I allowed the stories from numerous characters to develop and add to the central premise until it was so strong that to many people it seemed real – within the realms of fiction, I mean. If I could have a second place, The Third Rule would be it.

The latest book, Sword of Damocles, has been described as my page-turniest page turner (I love that!) because it sets a cracking pace, has a good balance of crime scene work, of Eddie’s personal life, and his work life. The story is strong, the conclusion fairly decent. And it slips easily into the Top Spot, a hair’s breadth from the Very Top Spot.

The Very Top Spot, and the book I’d most like to be remembered by, is probably one of the weakest sellers (see * above). It’s a weak seller, not because the story is rubbish (allow me to blow my own bugle here), but because I’m a rubbish salesman. Black by Rose is in places as deep as The Third Rule, it has the action of Stealing Elgar, and it has the pace of Sword of Damocles, with a terrifically satisfying ending. It most of all shows Eddie off at his best and at his worst, and if there’s one thing about story-telling that is more important than the story, it’s the lead character. It’s taken me 20 years to get the lead character exactly how I want him, and Black by Rose gave him legs and a real heartbeat.

I’m so pleased to hear you say that. It’s my favourite too. Thanks very much, Andy, for being the subject of my first Author Chat.
You can find Andy's books here if you're in the UK or  here if you shop in the dot com area.
 

How did I find the time to go to work...?

In between writing down the stuff that comes unbidden into my head I've been sewing and jam making over the last few weeks. This little pinky-purply quilt is now in the possession of my friends' baby daughter. They've got some of the jam, too!

On the writing front, I've now reached thirty thousand words with the thriller and am getting to the stage where a couple of strands are in danger of forming a knot. I shall write myself a more detailed time-line, I think.

Thriller writing has been interrupted a couple of times by short story ideas. Having a story idea is like having an itch. To stop it driving me mad I have to scratch it - or in this case, write it down. The first is a ghost story, which I will probably tag on as a bonus to a group of three slightly supernatural novellas coming out under one cover - eventually.

The latest, which I've written in the last couple of days, is a science-fiction, futuristic type of thing. You can see how good I am with genres, can't you? I can't categorise my own writing! 

Back to the thriller!

SpaSpa Book Awards

I was away in Northumberland, out of the reach of Wi-Fi and on a mobile signal that I kept losing, when I was told by email that I'd won some book awards. Some! 
SpaSpa stands for Self-Published and Small Press Awards. I finally managed to get a signal strong enough to access the BookHippo website where the voting had taken place.


My first book, Ravenfold, was winner in the Historical Fiction category. My second, Message in a Bottle, won in the Contemporary Fiction genre. Message also won the Best Novella award. I was feeling a bit giddy by then, and almost missed the fact that one of my drabbles was runner-up.


I must begin by congratulating all the other winners and runners-up. The final vote is cast by readers and we'd all be wasting out time without them. Thank you if you read them or voted for them.


I need to thank the administrator of BookHippo who does all the behind-the-scenes work for these awards, and all the unseen helpers who check categories and eligibility. Thank you, too, to my publisher and fellow award-winner, Jonathan Hill - Hilltop Press had an excellent year in 2014. Here's to 2015 and the pressure's on to publish another book each!

Do you love books?

Apart from mine. Someone’s got to say it!

I do - and I was invited, by a man who didn’t know what he was getting himself into, to be one of the three admins for a Facebook Group called BookFeed. Its purpose is to be a home for readers and we aim to give book news, quizzes, reviews and anything we think is relevant. The group is in its infancy but already we have an interview with Lev Grossman, an author whose Magician series is currently being filmed for a television channel.

We’re running a Reviewer of the Month slot and our first guest, Elaine Gall, is a high-ranking Amazon reviewer but we hope that new or novice reviewers will have a go too. We want to share our love of books so if you’d like to join us, come to and ask. You’ll be very welcome at BookFeed.

Important Editorial Meeting... Yeah, right!

As many of you will know, my books are formatted, uploaded and published by Hilltop Press. This entity is, in fact, my very good friend, Jonathan Hill, who also designs my book covers and undertakes the onerous task of creating the paperbacks for me. I have referred to him in the past as my Technical Support Officer but he is so much more than this. He was one of the people who encouraged me to write longer fiction and through his efforts, often time-consuming, he is my enabler.

Last Saturday I had the great pleasure of meeting Jonathan in the flesh rather than on book forums and in email correspondence. We talked a tiny bit about our writing but mainly we laughed and enjoyed one another’s company. If there had been no time constraints, we’d probably still be talking. You could draw up a long list of our differences but the things we share – attitudes, ideas, sense of humour – are greater.

We all need someone to watch our backs and Jonathan and I do this for one another. It wouldn’t work for all writers but we share our ideas, before, during and after the writing process. We line-edit and proof read for one another and occasionally make editorial suggestions of a greater magnitude. It’s often said that writing is a lonely job but it really helps to have someone to share the thoughts and ideas with. Jonathan is an intelligent perfectionist and that’s exactly the kind of person you need keeping tabs on your wayward witterings. Mainly, however, we prop up one another’s flagging egos!

The reason this works so well was evident from those flying few hours last weekend. Quite simply, we’re good friends and we get on well. To work cooperatively to this extent requires a high degree of mutual trust. Jonathan publishes for me so my royalties go into his account. He orders paperbacks for me so I pay him for those, less my royalties. It wouldn’t be a successful partnership if one suspected the other of less than total honesty – both in terms of editorial comments and of financial arrangements. He does drive a rather nice car though…

Thank you Hilltop! You’re the best.

Jonathan himself writes comedy, for example, the Maureen stories, and darker, thought-provoking fiction like FAG which tackles bullying and homophobia in a 1930s boarding school. His latest publication is Pride, currently on his website's home page. It's a coming-of-age book about a gay man finding himself despite difficult family circumstances. Jonathan is currently working on a couple of thrillers which are shaping up very well (privileged information!). He combines imagination and technical expertise to produce books I never fail to enjoy reading.

A Point of View

Whenever we tell a story, we tell it from somebody’s point of view. It could be the main character’s. ‘I did this.’

If we choose to, we can tell it from several points of view. If this is a third person narration, we need to make sure we give these separate consideration – their own chapters or sections of chapters – or we weaken the reader’s connection to the story by making them wonder whose head we are in. It’s a rookie error and I fell into it when I began writing but fortunately I have friends far more experienced than I am who dug me in the ribs before I published!

I’m not considering here the use of the third person omniscient – a kind of ‘eye of god’ viewpoint, where the narrator knows everything, all the characters’ motivations, thoughts etc. With this mode of narration we would not hear thoughts in the characters’ own voices. It takes a step backward.

I’m looking currently at the idea of telling a story – the same story – from two (or more) characters’ points of view. It interests me to think how different they might be. For example, if you write down a description of yourself, both in physical terms and in terms of your character and personality, then ask several people you know to describe you, it can give startling results and potentially dent a few friendships! One person’s statuesque is another person’s overweight. One person’s caring and interested is another’s nosy and inquisitive. It’s all in the point of view. Would we even know that it was the same person being described?

I find myself wondering how long it would take a reader to make a connection between two points of view. When would we realise we’d been reading about the same thing? Because I’m thinking of a first person narration, in each case, we only know what he or she knows. Makes you think, doesn’t it? 

Revealing... Top Banana!

Take a young man in a dead-end job. Ensure that his hypercritical mother has totally destroyed his self-confidence. Then add a box of bananas.

Steve Stanley has reason to think he might have acquired a superpower. Unfortunately, he doesn’t yet know what it is. As Steve searches for the (super)hero inside himself, he sets out to prove that he’s not the failure his mother believes. But will the world ever get to see the true Steven Oliver Stanley?

A feel-good comedy novel from the author of Ravenfold and Message in a Bottle. 

To be published March 14th 2015 on Kindle and in paperback.

Work in Progress Blog Tour

I've been invited by Michael Brookes to take part in a Work in Progress Blog Tour. You can see Michael's contribution to this tour here. He writes in various genres, including horror, science fiction and metaphysics. He gives us a flavour of his second Morton and Mitchell book. I really enjoyed the first and look forward to this. You can find his books on his Amazon page.

Here are the rules for the blog tour:

1. Link back to the post of the person who nominated you.
2. Write a little about and give the first sentence of the first three chapters of your current work in progress.
3. Nominate some other writers to do the same.

I've chosen to interpret the term Work in Progress as the book I'm currently writing. I have a book very close to publication but I'm giving a sample of the story I'm actually adding to daily. It's about a retirement home for ladies and is closely based on the one where my mum-in-law lives. This place is a huge source of inspiration and is like St Trinian's with arthritis. It's a comedy, for the most part, but I hope it's respectful too as I'm keen to show that, though the ladies may lose their capabilities, they never lose their humanity. I've also, as have some previous bloggers, given more than a sentence - but not a paragraph - for each of the three chapters.

Chapter 1

“Good morning, ladies. I’m delighted to meet you. Lovely to see all the happy, smiling faces. Good, good. Now… I’ve asked you all here into the lounge so I can tell you that, as the new Manager of Sundown House Retirement Home for Ladies, I intend to ensure that, under my care, everything will remain as it is, entirely focused on your health, comfort and safety.”

“What’s she say?” asked Edith in a carrying voice, fiddling with her hearing aid.

“She’s called us all together to patronise us,” said Lilian, whose remarks were fortunately overwhelmed by the piercing ‘squeeee’ sound from the protesting auditory equipment in Edith’s right ear.

Chapter 2

Lunch was drawing to an end via a soft, sweet pudding and at this point, Gwen Sargent shot Edith a nervous grin and, abandoning the first table, brought her chair round to park it next to Tisha’s.

“And you will be…?” she asked.

“I will be finished in just a couple more mouthfuls, thank you,” answered Tisha, turning to give a small, rigid smile to the new manager.

Chapter 3

At ten forty-five the next morning, Millie knocked on Lilian’s door.

“Come in,” she was bidden, and popped her head around the door.

“I’m a bit early but I didn’t want to miss anything,” she said.
   
“Quite right too. Find yourself a seat, Millie. The others won’t be late either. Same reason.”


I now hand on the reins to two more author bloggers whose work I've enjoyed. 
Andy Barrett is a crime and thriller writer whose books I love and I'm dying to read the next. He works as a CSI so his writing has great authenticity.
Jim Webster is a writer of both fantasy and science fiction and, as I enjoy both genres, his work is always on my hit list.