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Nicky P. Gardiner
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Interview with Nicky P. Gardiner
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Woot! Your Fab-4 MODS have conjured up (get it?) an Awesome Author Interview with Nicky P. Gardiner, author of our June Group Read The Showman And The Shade.
I don't know about you, but I always love hearing about the story-behind-the-story, why it was written, and what kind of cool paranormal research went into the worldbuilding.
So without further ado, here is Nicky P. Gardiner.
Be epic!
Anna Erishkigal
LoP Fab-4 BOTM-MOD
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Following your interview questions, here are my answers:
1. What books have most influenced your life?
I grew up with Star Wars and as a huge fan I read many of the books. I probably own well over a hundred. I am thankful to these books as before I got into reading these I would have said my reading ability was below par (during my early teens). Since then, I have read a more diverse range of books. I am very fond of the novel ‘The Vampire Lestat’, and it is one of the most read novels in my collection. Heavily thumbed and dog-eared, I must have read it at least 5 times all the way through (possibly more on my travel). Conn Iggulden’s,’ Caesar’ series are a great read, as well as anything by Dan Abnett.
2. How do you develop your plots and characters?
After the initial idea, I will spend a lot of time thinking over my story in scenes (as I would imagine a scriptwriter does). I then edit it and develop dialogue before even putting fingers to keyboard. Occasionally I jot down notes in a small book if I think of something particularly interesting. I tend to plot the story’s route down as a spider diagram; it allows me to enter new scenes easily and is a visual reminder for me when writing. Concerning characters; I try to bring them to life through good dialogue. I find that the characters naturally develop their own personality as I write. I try to build some idiosyncrasies into them in order to make them more ‘real’.
3. Tell us about your Lovers of Paranormal book?
The Showman and the Shade is basically about the partnership of a spiritualist medium and the spirit (or ‘shade’) who is his spirit guide. However, things are not that black and white. The medium is not a true medium and has bound his spirit (Frank) against his will. Frank wishes to be away from the medium (Jack) and see his family, but is bound to this mortal man who wishes nothing but for fame and fortune. The relationship soon sours. It’s a book with many twists and I hope readers find it fast paced and different to others in this genre. It’s a book about manipulation and revenge.
The idea came to me when watching a supposed show investigating the paranormal. There was a spiritualist with a (supposed) spirit guide. I found myself thinking “why, if you were dead, would you hang around with this guy?” The seed was planted; what if you had no choice, and that you were basically enslaved.
4. We all need a hero! Tell us about your protagonist(s)? Was there a real-life inspiration behind him or her?
Frank Long is the protagonist. It’s interesting to kill off your main character in the opening chapter and still tell a story with him that is not in the form of flash backs. I guess there is a lot of me in the character, but also in his main counterpart and adversary: Jack. They are the best and worst of people magnified. Like Frank, in life I have aches and pains due to a medical condition. I am English, my partner is a redhead, there’s probably more than I even realise. Maybe it would be more revealing to ask my friends.
5. A good villain is hard to write. How did you get in touch with your inner villain? Was there a real-life inspiration for him/her/it?
I enjoyed writing my villain of the piece the most. He is what made the book fun to write. Maybe it is just me, but villains are more interesting individuals to write about as they can do the things you never would. My villain is ultimately selfish, greedy and lacking compassion. As a local newspaper reviewer wrote one of my characters is ‘decent and dead the other vile and alive’. Vile! I like the idea of him being described as vile. I think it would make him smile, probably followed by a comment like “So what buddy?”
6. What real-life inspirations did you draw from for the world building within your book?
As I am based in the UK and a large part of my book is based in the USA, I had to research to try and get aspects of the environment as correct as possible, as well as climate. It was much easier for the parts based in England and Scotland. I tried to use correct terminology as well throughout the book; Frank would say ‘lift’ rather than ‘elevator’, for example.
7. What real-life science, pseudo-science, history, religion, or mythologies did you research for the paranormal aspect of your book?
A lot of the paranormal elements were taken from various paranormal investigation shows. That being said, I have tried to inject into my book new ideas, about what being a ghost would be like; an original take on things. I also have a real historic character that makes a very brief guest appearance near the end (cannot comment further as it may ruin a surprise ending and where one of the characters ends up). He is no one famous, not really, but I stumbled upon him when doing my research.
8. What was the hardest part of writing this book?
I always find the editing and rewrite the hardest. I am currently finishing these on my next project and I find it a little tedious. Luckily I have good people around me who will read through and ask questions, which highlights where amendments are required. Such as where I have not explained things as well as I could have. I can then go back and make those necessary amendments. I think I enjoy telling the tale more than retelling it!
9. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
‘Viva Las Vegas’ and ‘Kicking A Dead Man When He Is Down’ are my favourite chapters. They are a point where a confrontation happens. It’s the downward rush after the build-up, like a rollercoaster ride. Also a lot of loose ends meet at this point and following it. It’s nice to see a piece coming together, realising that this was what all the writing was for; the end piece.
10. Did you learn anything from writing this book and what was it?
Yes…. So very, very much. Near the end of writing the book I had a Eureka! moment. I thought if I added this certain character as the narrator (I did not have one initially) it would be a huge improvement. It would all be written from this one person’s point of view. Sadly, I was near finishing and every scene had been written from multiple perspectives. It required a massive re-write - every chapter. I even had to add bits in to make it more coherent when being told from this one perspective. Since then, I started storyboarding the plot. Feedback suggests it was the correct thing to do thus far. Hopefully it is to the liking of the majority.
Also, this idea has led to the whole plot more or less of my current project. Without it, I may have painted myself into a corner.
11. Is there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?
No, not particularly. It was just my effort at writing something completely different. If there is a message, it would be: be good. At the end of life all that counts was that you loved and enjoyed it.
12. What are your future project(s)?
I am currently finishing off book 2 in the Deadly Shades series. They are all stand alone and each one finishes a story, so do not let that put you off reading one; you will get closure.
This one new one follows on directly, however, to tie up some loose ends. It is called ‘Shades of Vengeance’. I have tried to tell this one yet again in another unique way, rather than dish out the same formula as the first.
Once ‘Shades of Vengeance’ is done (hopefully this month or the next), I intend writing a science fiction novel called ‘Humanities Plight’. It is a book that is mentioned within the world of ‘The Showman And The Shade’. I do intend continuing the Shades tales if they prove popular and the second one is as well received as the first.
13. If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
Well, I have done a variety of jobs. Originally, I worked in the building trade. Then I trained as a counsellor for mental health and did this voluntarily. Lastly, I worked as an Officer co-ordinating learning support staff for students with special needs within a college. So, quite a mix! I have no idea what I would do if I did not do this. Maybe something in the movie industry like prop design. That would be awesome.
14. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to the Lovers of Paranormal community members?
I really appreciate being chosen for this, I could not believe I had been chosen. I believe my book is a unique story and most who have read it, including newspaper book reviewers, have loved it. I am, however, struggling as an indie author to reach people to let them know I and my book exist. So I would appreciate it, ever so much, that if you like it, you please review it. Be it on Goodreads or from wherever you purchased it. Anyone can feel free to contact me. If you like my book ‘The Showman and the Shade’ also please feel free to follow me on here, or on Facebook, to keep up to date as to when the next book is out. This book is available on ALL eBook formats and is available as a paperback on Amazon.
Happy reading, thank you for buying my book, and keep on writing!
Nicky P Gardiner
Interview granted to LOP: 2015/06/07