Ian Ayris live event. HERE.

[Lorraine]

Thanks Janet, have a nice evening :)

How was AWM received locally?

[Lorraine]

Stu you won't be able to rest until I know !

[Ian]

Aj wrote: "Terry Pratchett said at a signing that "Your subconcious knows the complete story, soup to nuts, but it doesn't want you to have it until you earn it by doing things like endlessly mowing the lawn ..."

I love that, AJ. And, yep, I'm a great believer in the whole story being written, ready and waiting, until the writer is at a time in his life where he needs to write it.

And I like King's archeaology analogy as well.

[Stuart]

Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Stu you won't be able to rest until I know !"

A bottle and a half of red wine says I will!

[Ian]

Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Thanks Janet, have a nice evening :)

How was AWM received locally?"

One of my main priorities was that the West Ham sections of the book came across as genuine. To this end, I posted the relevant chapters on a couple of die-hard West Ham forums, and braced myself for the worst. The feedback was absolutely unanimous. The most comment comment was that it was just like being at the game, and all the other things rang completely true. The local book signings - Basildon and Romford - were fantastic, so I'm pretty confident I've struck the right note locally - which is nice :)

[Lorraine]

Stuart wrote: "A bottle and a half of red wine says I will!"

Lol !

[Kath]

Ian wrote: "I'm a great believer in the whole story being written, ready and waiting, until the writer is at a time in his life where he needs to write it."

i believe the same about reading them... sometimes if you cant get into a book, maybe you are just not ready for what it contains. it is why i usually just put them to one side rather than sack them off completely (apart from the ones that are just rubbish of course, that is a completely different thing!)

[Ian]

Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Stuart wrote: "A bottle and a half of red wine says I will!"

Lol !"

He's not joking . . .

[Lorraine]

And considering you've been featured in a few local newspapers and all that... have people stopped you in the street to grab an autograph yet?

[Aj]

I liken the "unintelligent" Kenny/Lenny character back the the mythic icon known as The Holy Fool so the pedigree for that character is an honorable trope in any form of fiction. Did you have in mind that archetype, Ian? Or was Kenny an existing person to whom you assigned the characteristics?

[Ian]

Kath wrote: "Ian wrote: "I'm a great believer in the whole story being written, ready and waiting, until the writer is at a time in his life where he needs to write it."

i believe the same about reading them....."

Very true, Kath. I'm still waiting for the time in my life when I can start ploughing through that pile of Jackie Collins classics by the back door.

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

A tutor at college, a sculptor, said the work was waiting in the block of stone. It was his job to do the work and get it out, release it. Sounds like that's a bit like how you approach your writing Ian?
(this is getting a bit deep, huh!)

[Ian]

Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "And considering you've been featured in a few local newspapers and all that... have people stopped you in the street to grab an autograph yet?"

Not yet - thankfully. Although I was in the Romford Waterstones a couple of weeks back, and someone asked if I could sign a bookmark for them, if that counts :)

[Ian]

Aj wrote: "I liken the "unintelligent" Kenny/Lenny character back the the mythic icon known as The Holy Fool so the pedigree for that character is an honorable trope in any form of fiction. Did you have in mi..."

There really is a deeper layer there, AJ. And I think with the Holy Fool trope you're pretty close. You know me, mate. I just write. For me, Kenny is as real as anyone I know. If he represented a trope, I wasn't aware of it at the time. But then again, I suppose all the archetypes are an unconscious thing anyway, aren't they.

A couple of people have mentioned to me the resurrection myth, and thinking on it, I think there might be something in that . . .

[Ian]

Rosemary wrote: "A tutor at college, a sculptor, said the work was waiting in the block of stone. It was his job to do the work and get it out, release it. Sounds like that's a bit like how you approach your writin..."

That's a great anaolgy, Rosemary. And yes, almost identical. Steven King said writing is akin to archaeology, all about working down the layers to the truth beneath - then writing the truth.

I love that sort of stuff ;)

[Lorraine]

Do you have any more booksigning sessions planned? Are you staying in your area or will you be travelling further over the months?

[Ian]

Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Actually do you know Ian, I hardly noticed them. It was part of the idioglossia (I may have just made that word up?)

[Emma]

Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

Nope, even my mum and Dad said that although there was a lot, it was in character and helped make John 'John'

[Lorraine]

Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

They're great from a non-native point of view, lots of new vocabulary !

[Kath]

Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

pretty tame compared to the language where i work actually! and imo totally within the context of the book and characters...

[Emma]

Rosemary wrote: "Actually do you know Ian, I hardly noticed them. It was part of the idioglossia (I may have just made that word up?)"

A word for Wordfeud Rosemary?

[Ian]

Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Do you have any more booksigning sessions planned? Are you staying in your area or will you be travelling further over the months?"

Walthamstow Waterstones is the last planned one, and that's tomorrow. I'll be at the Tonbridge Arts Festival on the 23rd June with a bunch of other Caffeine Nights authors, which should be a fantastic day. Romford, Basildon, and Lakeside Waterstones have asked me to do another signing later in the year, as have The Newham Bookshop. We're looking to hit Brentwood and Southend Waterstones later in the year also.

[Aj]

Hey guys. Gotta run. I'll keep to it in the emails. For my last remark: The discussion is fun what with us saying all "writerly" stuff 'n all. But bottom line, AWM is a cracking, exciting, mile a minute good time. And one of the very best first novels I've read. See you later. Ian and Lorraine. Thanks so much for the invite. Ta.

[Ian]

Rosemary wrote: "Actually do you know Ian, I hardly noticed them. It was part of the idioglossia (I may have just made that word up?)"

Great word, Rosemary :)

[Lorraine]

Emma wrote: "Nope, even my mum and Dad said that although there was a lot, it was in character and helped make John 'John'"

I agree, I couldn't imagine John any other way, it just wouldn't be the same

[Ian]

Emma wrote: "Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

Nope, even my mum and Dad said that although there was a lot, it was in character and helped make John 'John'"

So relieved your mum and dad weren't offended, Em. Funny, by the end I knew if I stuck in an extra naughty one. It stood out a mile. And I really struggled with the final sentence, until I realised a naughty word was missing. Popped it in, and the whole world fell into place nice :)

[Ian]

Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

They're great from a non-native point of view, lots of new vocabulary !"

:)

[Lorraine]

Bye Aj, thanks for being here and asking some great questions :)

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

Ian wrote: "Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Do you have any more booksigning sessions planned? Are you staying in your area or will you be travelling further over the months?"

Walthamstow Waterstones is the last..."

Not coming north of the Border then? Got some good book festivals up here, Lennoxlove's just along the road...

[Emma]

Ian wrote: "Emma wrote: "Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

Nope, even my mum and Dad said that although there was a lot, it was in character and helped make..."

Dad has been recommending it to anyone who will listen! ! (praise indeed) Have even had to lend out one of my signed copies!

[Ian]

Kath wrote: "Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

pretty tame compared to the language where i work actually! and imo totally within the context of the book and..."

The context was the thing for me. At no time did I feel the need to really apologise, although I was very conscious of the potential negative impact it might have on readers.

[Ian]

Aj wrote: "Hey guys. Gotta run. I'll keep to it in the emails. For my last remark: The discussion is fun what with us saying all "writerly" stuff 'n all. But bottom line, AWM is a cracking, exciting, mile a m..."

You're a gent, sir. One of the finest. I'll meet you in the dark parts soon, my friend, torch in hand. And for a pint later in the year, God willing.

Look after yourself, mate.

Your pal in Old Blighty,

Ian

[Lorraine]

Ian wrote: "The context was the thing for me. At no time did I feel the need to really apologise, although I was very conscious of the potential negative impact it might have on readers. ."

Yeah but so many readers saw it as a positive thing too !

[Stuart]

When I read it I became conscious of how much me and my mates swear just in the course of normal conversation in the pub. So definitely realistic!

[Kath]

Ian wrote: "The context was the thing for me. At no time did I feel the need to really apologise, although I was very conscious of the potential negative impact it might have on readers"

maybe it was also kind of a filter to ensure that the book reached the required audience...
like if you didnt get on with the language (vernacular and swearing) then the book wasn't meant for you...

if you get what i am trying to say

[Ian]

Rosemary wrote: "Ian wrote: "Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Do you have any more booksigning sessions planned? Are you staying in your area or will you be travelling further over the months?"

Walthamstow Waterstones..."

Would love to, Rosemary. But not being able to drive and not having any pennies or sticks or pretty much of anything to rub together, I reckon Walthamstow's the furthest north I'll get this time round :{

[Ian]

Emma wrote: "Ian wrote: "Emma wrote: "Ian wrote: "Anyone got any thoughts on the vast amount of naughty words in the book?"

Nope, even my mum and Dad said that although there was a lot, it was in character and..."

Blown me away, Em, the different sorts of people that have been recommending the book. Proper blown me away :)

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

I've got to go, so goodnight. Thank You Ian and Lorraine, it's been Epic.

[Ian]

Stuart wrote: "When I read it I became conscious of how much me and my mates swear just in the course of normal conversation in the pub. So definitely realistic!"

That's what I found with the whole book, Stu. Being a single narrative, I was able to read the whole thing out and pick up anything missing. Just that naturalistic thing, you know.

[Lorraine]

Can I ask both Ian and Stu... Do you find that you have a bond through writing (I mean other than being twins and all that)... or do you try to not get involved in each other's projects? (Edit: I don't mean in a non-supportive way)

[Lorraine]

Bye Rosemary, thanks for your presence x

[Ian]

Kath wrote: "Ian wrote: "The context was the thing for me. At no time did I feel the need to really apologise, although I was very conscious of the potential negative impact it might have on readers"

maybe it ..."


Very wise, Kath. I love that. I must say, I was expecting far more of a negative response to the language than I've actually got. So I think you might have something there . . . :)

[Ian]

Rosemary wrote: "I've got to go, so goodnight. Thank You Ian and Lorraine, it's been Epic."

Thanks so much, Rosemary. Lovely having you :)

[Katy]

I'm here, Ian, just lurking!

My question.. Do you start with a title and then write, or write then come up with a title? How do you come up with said title, is it a case of picking it out of a hat? (:

[Lorraine]

Hi Katy !

[Ian]

Lorraine - Huggybear wrote: "Can I ask both Ian and Stu... Do you find that you have a bond through writing (I mean other than being twins and all that)... or do you try to not get involved in each other's projects? (Edit: I d..."

:) The thing I find interesting, Lorraine, is how completely differently me and Stu write. We are very different characters in real life too. In a funny sort of way, I sometimes think my kind of writing fits Stu's more outgoing personality more than mine, and perhaps my more quiet nature is more akin to Stuart's beautiful prose. But it's not like that at all. We both feel a need to speak the truth as we see it. And therein lies the bond.

That's what I reckon.

What do you think, Stu?

[Stuart]

I like to think that there's a mutual thing that although our stuff is completely different it is still in some way distilled from the basic values we grew up with.

Anyway, there's a five hour Tom Petty documentary on BBC4 now and I need a refill!

Bye people!

[Emma]

Ha ha, you proved your point by posting at the same time and making the same point!! I love you guys :-)

[Lorraine]

Bye Stu, looking forward to your turn to sit in the chair in the future :)