In conversation with author Bill Arnott
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself. Yourbackground; where you were brought up; when you first began writing;your interests and so on.
Bill: Hi Alex, thanks for having me back! I’mBill Arnott, an author, poet and songwriter from the west coast ofCanada, where I live near mountains and sea on Musqueam, Squamish,and Tsleil-Waututh land. I’ve been a writer for a number ofyears. Some readers might know my column Bill Arnott’s Beatfrom magazines and literary journals, others may be familiar with mybestselling travel memoirs, A Season on Vancouver Island andthe Gone Viking travelogues, Gone Viking: A TravelSaga, Gone Viking II: Beyond Boundaries, and GoneViking III: The Holy Grail, (RMBooks, publication date October 3,2023). I grew up in British Columbia, a partof the globe that enjoys distinct seasons and a range of outdooractivities. No doubt it instilled a love of being active in nature,something that’s never gone away. I’ve written for much of mylife, but only in the past few years has it become a vocation. Makinga living as a writer still feels like a privilege, and I find myselfexcited by it each day.Alex: How would you describe your writing,and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Bill: While I’ve published books inmultiple genres, I tend to come back to nonfiction, specificallynature, memoir and travel. Much of it could be called nonfictionnarrative. I write what I love to read, and that often falls intoeach, sometimes all, of these classifications. I feel great writingcan supersede genre parameters. If the story’s a good one, writtenexceptionally well, then it ought to be shared and enjoyed. This issomething I strive to accomplish each time I put pen to paper, ormore accurately, finger to keyboard.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans adetailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let thestory unfold as you write?
Bill: I certainly start out with a plan, butrarely have a detailed synopsis. Each of my books has begun asvignettes, sensory experiences and visceral encounters orrecollection. These form the narrative, gelling into an arc, plot ortheme, with the story revealing itself from there. I’m stillmethodical in structure and cohesive flow, but find myself oftenpanning for gold, letting intuition guide me. If it reads well, issmooth and evocative, I’ll carry on, knowing a unique route willappear. If not, I’ll let that path be, for a while, knowing it’llbecome clear eventually.
Alex: Tell us about your latest book.
Bill: I’ll share a great quote and blurb.“Witty, well-read, effortlessly entertaining, Arnott may be theperfect travel companion.” This is from Thomas Lundy at CanadianGeographic Magazine, referring to Gone Viking III. (Hereceived an advance copy). The book is another epic adventure as Itrek the ancient world to unearth Viking secrets and reveal history’smost elusive treasure, the Holy Grail. I’d been granted afellowship at London’s Royal Geographical Society for my previousGone Viking expeditions, and now I take readers on a newexcursion following legendary explorers – Scandinavians, Celts, andArthurian knights – across Europe and into the Arctic. Together,readers and I share some adventures, learn a bit of history, and havea few laughs. In my role as narrator I serve as companion and guideon this quest, unearthing firsthand discoveries in Viking Greenland,Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Britain, France, Switzerland,Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Poland, andJerusalem. A few years of intense travel and research, captured in300-pages.
Alex: What other books have you written?
Bill: Gone Viking III: The Holy Grail,is the final installment of the Gone Viking traveloguetrilogy. Following the success of the first book, my publishing teamat RMBooks and I felt a trilogy made sense, and that “the story,”or in this case my travel expeditions, could be completed andeffectively communicated in this manner. Each book is distinct, yetbuilds upon its predecessor. So, prior to this I wrote GoneViking: A Travel Saga and Gone Viking II: Beyond Boundaries.While international travel was on hold, I spent an incredible seasontravelling close to home, and created the memoir A Season onVancouver Island, another bestselling travelogue, in which Iinclude my painted photos from the excursion. (I turn photos intostylized paintings using a series of customized apps). That southwestcorner of British Columbia is a gorgeous part of the world and Ihappened to be there for three months of spectacular weather, so theartwork captures vibrant blue skies and ocean, rich forest greens,and a unique array of wildlife.
Alex: What are your interests aside fromwriting? And what do you do to unwind?
Bill: My social media handle,@billarnott_aps, refers to my being an author, poet, and songwriter,which is essentially how I unwind. I often find myself doing allthree activities every day, jumping between creative outlets tostimulate all of it. And I love being outside whenever possible.Walking, hiking, running, ideally near water or trees. I’m a bit ofan amateur ornithologist, so I love watching birds, and am frequentlydelighted to enjoy encounters with rather exotic animals and plantseven in the heart of an urban metropolis. Although it could beconsidered work, I spend a great deal of time connecting withreaders, replying to questions, hearing people’s stories, alongwith visiting bookstores and presenting to various associations.We’ve established a fabulous group of engaged readers, our#GoneVikingCommunity, in which people share photos ofthemselves with their copies of the Gone Viking books, oftenin a playful location or occasionally somewhere ridiculous. It’s agreat deal of fun, with a wonderful, growing audience. It’s agenuine privilege to be part of it all. Thank you again Alex, for this greatconnection and opportunity, and I wish you continued success withyour excellent books as well!Alex: My pleasure, Bill. Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us. Readers can learn more about Bill and his writing by visiting his website at https://billarnottaps.wordpress.com/
