REMEMBERING HEART OF OAK

 

 

 

I was honoured recently to answer a series of questions from Stephanie Moore Hopkins for her Layered Pages blog titled 'Characters in Motion'. Stephanie asked me to talk about the habits of my protagonist and I answered that thought-provoking question by talking about Simon Gamble from HEART OF OAK, the second of the Soldier Chronicles. This is set during the liberation of the Maltese Islands which see's Gamble and his Marines sent behind enemy lines to capture an impregnable fortress called Dominance on the island of Gozo. The book's title references a very popular military song and the chorus goes:

 

 

Hearts of oak are our ships, heart of oak are our men,

We always are ready: steady, boys, steady!

We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.

 

The chorus encapsulates what the story is about: fighting, courage and triumph. 

 

So why talk about Gamble? Well, I try to make all my protagonists as human as possible. I never make them perfect because that is incredibly unrealistic. Perfection? Pah! In my opinion there is no such thing. I can't stand it when you read about someone who is 'perfect'. It's sickening. And do any of us (who aren't blinded by love or addled by drink) know of someone who is perfect? In our hearts, we don't.

 

Now being completely honest with you, I start by making the protagonist someone who I would like people to have a drink and chat with. Really? Yes. It's that simple.

 

Give them a back story so the conversation would be interesting, but I make each one an individual. No clones. Now Simon Gamble, a captain of a British Marine company, was described by one reviewer as a Richard Sharpe-esque character, which I think is a rather unfair summation. I should be flattered that a character of mine should be of the same cloth as Bernard Cornwell's immensely popular Rifle officer, but they aren't really alike.

 

Richard Sharpe is a thief, a murderer and a man thrust into a position he is more than capable of, but  some people don't agree with that. He is no gentleman among his fellow officers. He joined the army to escape a hanging, which was a common practice with the British legal and military system of the time. A man gaoled and awaiting death for a petty or serious crime could find himself donning a brick-red serge coat and escape his execution by a magistrate. However, to join the British Army in the period, which the Soldier Chronicles takes place (1793-1815), he might find that disease would likely kill him first long before a French bullet could. Sharpe is one of the lucky one's to survive skirmishes, battalion volley's and bayonet charges. He is also unique in that he marched in the common ranks as a Private before acquiring a battlefield commission for saving Arthur Wellesley's life at the Battle of Assaye. This act was not unheard of, but quite rare. Richard Sharpe is a true hero.

 

Would you have a drink and chat with Richard Sharpe if you could? Absolutely. The things he could tell you about what's he's seen and done.

 

So how could  - or perhaps should I compare Simon Gamble to Richard Sharpe? Well, I can't to be honest and I don't. Two different characters. The Sharpe novels number twenty or more volumes and Cornwell has been writing about him for thirty plus years. Sharpe is an institution and Bernard Cornwell is a National Treasure. Hard to scale those heights with just my novella.

 

The Soldier Chronicles are novellas and so I don't want pages and pages of backstory when the stories are snapshots of history - the story starts straight away and plunges into action and adventure. However, Gamble does have a backstory. He is designed to be a man at ease in warfare, a warrior-like figure, ruthless, daring, steadfast and because of this, he is disfigured from battle wounds and emotionally scarred. An unpublished prequel story to HEART OF OAK called VANQUISHER is about Gamble and his marines at the Siege of Acre under the command of Sir Sidney Smith. Unfortunately, Gamble's young second-lieutenant, Bob Carstairs, is killed during the fighting and this leaves Gamble hugely affected by it.

 

A few months later HEART OF OAK begins and Gamble has tried to blot out the pain and sadness with anger and a hatred of the French as a race. Misguided? Pig-headed? Careless? Yes, Gamble certainly is. He is flawed. He is wounded and he is troubled. When he goes after a captured French captain murders Sam Riding-Smyth to escape, Gamble cannot shake revenge from his bones. He see's this as the point of no return. The Frenchman must die, it's the only course to follow and Gamble will hunt him down until the end of time.

 

Two officers under his command dead. Is Gamble cursed? Is he unlucky? No, this is the price of war. It's unfair and heart-breaking. It taps into the feeling that soldiers have when they are in tough situations together. They speak of a bond closer than family. They would die for each other, if needs be, and the letters written by survivors of those fallen 'brothers' on foreign fields (even in modern times) shows the profound affect it has. There is a grief that, in some cases, cannot even be spoken about. Soldiers returning from the battlefields of WWI and WWII, for example, refused to discuss what they had witnessed with anyone. Some later did, but it took many years and it was still painful.

 

Gamble and Sharpe share a few characteristics such as loyalty to their men, unwavering resolve and a determination to see the enemy defeated. And that's why I decided Gamble would command a company of hard, tough and war-like Marines. With all the Soldier Chronicles stories, each are connected to another story; THE DESERT LION that I'm trying to get traditionally published. It all sounds a bit vague and forgive me, but until it get's published one way or another I won't talk about it. Call it superstition, if you like. So the connection to THE DESERT LION is the result of Simon Gamble being created back in 2008 when I had finished the novel. I named him Simon after a friend of mine and just wanted a simple surname like Brook, Cutter, Clarke, Savage . . . and then I thought about his character and everything about him is a risk. Gamble. Bingo!

 

I wrote his backstory and decided to flesh him out. I described him immediately as ''twenty-nine years old, average-looking with a soldier’s face; sun-darkened, harsh and scarred. If you were to pass him in the street, you would pay him no attention, but if you saw his sea-blue eyes, then you would see that they sparkled brightly, accentuating his rough exterior to give it an odd gentleness that made him memorable.'' 

 

Archibald Powell, his rough-hewn sergeant was easier to name. I wanted another tough soldier, someone born in England's docks; a typical brawler, and had his background as a man whose father was a possibly Scottish soldier or seaman of the Seven Years War that had stayed in Plymouth. Powell grew up to fight in the army during the war against the American colonists and acquired his unique twin throwing axes after saving the life of a Shawnee native called Blue Jacket. By HEART OF OAK, Powell carries a musketoon: a firearm with a flared muzzle, and a boarding pike. He is a grizzled man, ever-ready for war. All the Marines are.

 

Accompanying Gamble in this story is his lieutenant, Henry 'Harry' Kennedy, a level-headed and intelligent man in his twenties who is described as, ''immaculately dressed in his scarlet coat with its long-tails, silver lace, white gloves and a silver gorget.'' Kennedy is well-mannered and educated, and in a way, is Gamble's conscience.

 

Gamble, an officer, but certainly no gentleman is described as wearing: ''His scarlet coat and crimson sash were patched and heavily stitched and he was armed with a cutlass, a straight-bladed sword of extraordinary ugliness. It had a rolled iron grip, a thirty-inch blade, and curiously tied to the pommel was a scrap of a tattered silk. It had belonged to his mother; a parting gift for her young son who promised to return home with enough money to pay for his father's grievous arrears that had cost the family their home. A bone-handled dirk and a large pistol were tucked into his belt, which were also hooked to it in case he dropped them overboard during a fight aboard a vessel.''

 

The scrap of silk grounds Gamble and reminds him of a failure he has to correct. His story arc goes beyond the Battle of Trafalgar, so it's possible he lives long enough to see his family name restored. With any band or soldiers there is camaraderie and this goes back to the bond they all share. It's important to show this even at the beginning:

 

 

   'The lads are in high spirits,' said Kennedy.

   'So they should be, Harry,' Gamble said, watching the rocky crest above them with his eye piece, 'they know we're about to do some killing.'

   'Won't we take any prisoners, sir?' asked Second Lieutenant Samuel Riding-Smyth, with abhorrence at the thought of killing all of the Frenchmen. He was petrified and fought down vomit, which was souring the back of his throat.

   'Oh, Sam,' Kennedy said, shaking his head with an act of despair.

   'What happens if they surrender?' Riding-Smyth looked pained.

   Gamble grunted in frustration. 'If you want to take any prisoners, then that's your prerogative,' he announced, but was still watching the limestone hills. 'Do you know the Frog word for surrender?'

   'Capitulez, sir,' suggested the worried lieutenant.

   Gamble lowered the brass tube angrily. 'Fine, Sam. You ask any Monsewer you come across to capitulez. You shout really loud though, as the buggers will be gunners and we all know that gunners are deaf. You shout and hope they lay down their arms and that they don't meet Sergeant Powell first.'

Riding-Smyth 's eyes slid to the grizzled, broad-shouldered sergeant who stared back at him intently, and for good measure, patted one of his axes with a long exaggerated growl.

   'It suits me, sir,' Powell declared. 'The bastards will be easier to kill if they keep nice and still. Saves me the bother.'

   'I will shout, sir,' the young officer said zealously. 'I will indeed!'

   'Good,' Gamble said, turning to his men who were formed up and waiting with expectant faces. The ball was about to start. It was time to dance. 'Company! Forward!'

   'We're not really going to kill all the Frogs, are we?' Kennedy enquired as they advanced up the narrow beach.

   'Of course not,' Gamble gave him a sly wink. 'That's why a boat will remain here. I'll send the prisoners back to the Prince of Waves,' he said, giving the Sea Prince its nickname, 'along with any keepsakes.'

   'Very good,' Kennedy said, then frowned. 'I thought you spoke Frog?'

   Gamble scanned the grassy bluffs ahead. 'You mean Guernésiais?' he asked, of the language of his native Guernsey that had roots in Norman French. Kennedy nodded.  Gamble's mouth twisted. 'I understand the words, but I choose not to speak it. It's the language of our enemies. And I will not foul the air by muttering it.'

   'You truly hate them, don't you?'

   'I hate them all,' Gamble said loudly. 'As every Englishman should. Death to the French and every goddamn last one of them.'

   'I've heard that French is the language of love?' Kennedy said with an impish grin.

   Gamble laughed sourly. 'The whores don't care where you're from. Just if you have coin to pay them.'

   …you shall pay life for life, a voice uttered in Gamble's head. He'd heard the saying many times since Acre. Too many times now. A friend had died and the words kept coming back to him. He adjusted his bicorn and looped the scope over his shoulders with its leather strap, trying to force the words from his mind, but without much success.

   'Why don't we turn the prisoners over to the locals, sir?' Riding-Smyth enquired, catching up with his two superiors.

   'Because that's a death sentence,' Gamble replied brusquely.

   Kennedy fiddled with the gorget at his throat, a purely decorative horseshoe-shaped piece of metal that harked back to the days when officers had worn armour like medieval knights. 'As civilised men, we could not simply allow that to happen. Even to our bitterest enemies. However, knowing that they will be fed whatever Slope the Ship's Cook can boil up in his infernal copper cauldron is punishment and revenge enough.'

    Riding-Smyth chuckled. 'At every mess time, I pray to God that He will keep me safe from harm.'

   'He must be watching over you,' Kennedy said, 'because as of yet you've not suffered from any of the maladies that frequent the decks.'

   'The Lord has truly been kind to me,' Riding-Smyth replied vehemently.

   'You've obviously not been introduced to the lower deck whores, young Sam,' Kennedy said wryly. 'When you get back on-board, I'll have a dose of mercury on standby.'

 

 

Here: Gamble reveals his hatred for the French, a rage that will grow as the story unfolds. It also brings up his guilt that is plaguing him over Carstairs's death. ''You shall pay life for life'' is scripture taken from Exodus 21:23 and, although I'm not religious, it symbolises an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Revenge.

 

HEART OF OAK is a story of vengeance and discovering just what that entails. It's a treacherous path. Gamble almost ruins his career and loses his friends in the process. Luckily in the end he realises it. There isn't meant to be a moral to the story, but this is close enough I suppose.

 

 

  Sergeant Powell wiped sweat from his face with a red sleeve, and took hold of his officer’s arm. 'Is it over now, sir? For the love of God, say it is?'

  Gamble turned to stare at the corpse. Blood flowed out from the body like unravelling strands of red hair. Gulls cried overhead. 'Yes, Archie,' he said, the sun catching his ocean-blue eyes. He smiled, relief washing over him like a wave. He fought back tears, knowing that he had been narrow-minded, obstinate, selfish, and that blind anger had almost wrecked his career and ultimately his friendships. 'It's over. It's damned well over.'

  A gun banged three times outside the city, a salute to the French and the start of a new chapter in Malta's history. A golden sun glowed on Valletta's domes, roofs and steeples.

  It was a day in September on an island in the Mediterranean and for now the world was at peace.

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed writing the story and I've been asked if I'll do another story featuring Gamble. I'm sure we'll see him and his Marines again in the not too distant future.

I have always been fascinated by the Corps of Marines. Gamble just seemed to fit in with them. I spent months researching about the Corps and wrote this piece for the English Historical Fiction Authors website back in June 2014:

 

 

 

The Birth of the Corps of Marines 1664 - 1815

 

The Corps of Marines can trace its commencement all the way to the year 1664 when Britain was at war with the Dutch Republic for control of the seas and trade routes.

 

It became apparent from the Dutch success that infantry units were needed on-board ship what with the increasing use of firearms. The first recognised raised unit was called the ‘Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot’ and soon after was known as the ‘Lord High Admiral’s Regiment’. These were infantrymen recruited from the Trained Bands of London and were the very first soldiers drafted for the roles of marines.

The wholly musket-armed ‘Holland Regiment’ that John Churchill, later the 1^st Duke of Marlborough, served in as a marine, wore ‘gold’ coats rather than the standard red. Today, the British Marine Corps Colours are still one part yellow to signify the ‘gold’ colour of their ancestral coats.

Marine of the Holland Regiment

From the late 17^th Century through to the middle of the 18^th Century there were other regiments raised as marines, or Foot Regiments converted for sea duty. They fought throughout the War of the Spanish Succession, and the fragmented battles of the War of Jenkins’ Ear with notable successes on both land and sea. Once the wars were over, the units returned to their land roles.

The Corps of Marines, the infantry fighting element of the Royal Navy, were formed on 5^th April, 1755. There were fifty companies in three Marine Divisions; headquartered at the major ports of Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth under the command each of a colonel commandant. Horatio Nelson was Chatham’s colonel in 1795.

 

The marines went on to serve with distinction during the American War of Independence, especially at Battle of Bunker Hill, where they were marked for their ‘cool ability under fire’.

Regularly enlisted like the Army, and not by impressment (press-ganged as some myths dictate) they primarily provided the Royal Navy with a force of troops that could fight on land as infantry, of manning the ships guns, acting as marksmen against enemy crews and for close quarter boarding action at sea.

 

Their secondary function was to supress mutiny among the seamen. In fact, their quarters always separated the RN officers’ and sailor quarters. They ensured security details and supported discipline of the crews. The ratio of marines on-board each ship was generally at a ratio of one marine per ship gun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marine officers during the War of Independence

 

After the Act of Union was passed in 1801, which incorporated Ireland into the United Kingdom, there was an influx of Irish volunteers. After 1805 nearly ten percent of each company were comprised of foreigners, mainly Maltese, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Each company on paper was to comprise one captain, two first lieutenants, two second lieutenants, eight sergeants, eight corporals, six drummers and one hundred and forty privates. Each Marine Division also had a grenadier and a light company, but they were abolished in 1804. With disease, shortages and battle-caused deaths, it was highly unlikely that the paper figures were ever met. The marine companies were dispersed throughout the fleet and where needed on land.

The marines had their uniforms supplied by the Navy Board, but their dress was that of the infantry. They wore the red coat, with white collar and cuffs. Plumes were the standard colours, white-over-red for battalion companies, green for the light and white for the grenadiers. Officers wore scarlet coats, with white lace and white gloves. Gorgets, worn at the throat, were purely decorative horseshoe shaped pieces of metal that harked back to the days when officers had worn armour like medieval knights. Officer’s carried straight bladed cutlasses with a thirty-two inch blade, a pistol and most commonly a dirk. The marine privates were armed with the Sea Service Brown Bess muskets and the sergeants carried halberds, and then later spontoons or half-pikes.

 

Marines fighting during ship-to-ship battles

 

The marines were nicknamed by the sailors ‘lobsters’ because of the red woollen coat, and ‘bootnecks’, a semi-derogatory term derived from the dark leather 'stock' worn round the neck inside the collar which forced a soldier to keep his head up. "Take my sea boots off your neck”, was a saying to imply the marines were wearing a piece of leather cut from the sailors footwear.

In 1802, largely at the recommendation of Admiral John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent, the marines were re-titled ‘Royal Marines’ by King George III for services to their country:

“In order to mark his approbation of the very meritorious conduct of the Marines during the late war, His Majesty has been graciously pleased to direct that in future the corps shall be called the Royal Marines.”

The white facings (collars and cuffs) were given a royal makeover, changing to ‘Royal Blue’. The bicorn was replaced by the black ‘round-hat’ made of felt, but the red coat was retained.

The Royal Marine Artillery (RMA) was formed in 1804 to man bomb vessels. They wore blue tunics of the Royal Artillery and nicknamed ‘un-boiled lobsters’ or ‘blue marines’.

In 1805, a fourth Marine Division was created at Woolwich and by the end of that year the corps numbered thirty thousand, the largest it ever saw during the Peninsular War.

The Corps of Colonial Marines were two units raised in 1808 from former American slaves for British service. They were created at different times and both disbanded after the wars. They were recruited to address the shortage of military manpower in the Caribbean. The locally-recruited men were less susceptible to tropical illnesses than were troops sent from Britain and knew the terrain. The Corps followed the practice of the British Army's West India Regiments in recruiting escaped slaves as soldiers, but were loathed to view themselves as mere ‘slave soldiers’. They were free men and they represented a psychological threat to the slave-owning American society by being armed. They were highly thought of and as competent as their European comrades. They also received free land grants in Canada in return for their commendable service, achieving freedom in which the 'Land of Liberty' had denied them.

Three additional Marine Battalions (numbered 1-3) were raised from among the Royal Marines specifically for action in Portugal, Northern Spain, the Invasion of France, the Netherlands, North America and the Caribbean. They were disbanded in 1815.

Throughout the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, the Royal Marines were present in every major sea battle: St Vincent, Camperdown, the Nile, Copenhagen, Trafalgar, the Dardanelles, Cape Lissa and Aix Roads.

They always formed part of any cutting out excursion - seizing an enemy ship by using their ships' boats and taking it from its anchorage by boarding it. They were used in amphibious landings and in 1812, helped disrupt coastal traffic, captured several towns, particularly Santander, and tied up the French Army of the North by not allowing it to reinforce the French Army of Portugal, which was then subsequently defeated at Salamanca.

During the Hundred Days Campaign, a RMA company was garrisoned (amongst others) at Ostend to protect Wellington’s rear in the event that the allies would have lost against Napoleon, and would had to retreat to the ports.

After 1815, the Royal Marines would serve its country again around the globe in many actions. However, it was during the wars of 1793-1815 that the force encapsulated the code and spirit of the great fighting force that today is revered throughout the world.

In 2014, the Corps celebrated its 350th anniversary by completing a series of global physical challenges in honour to their proud heritage.

 

 

 

UK stamp released in 2009

 

HEART OF OAK -  It is December, 1799, and Captain of Marines Simon Gamble has been sent behind enemy lines to capture an impregnable fortress called Dominance on the Maltese island of Gozo.

 

Gamble must lead his lightly-armed men against the prime veteran soldiers of France, in a daring and brutal fight where there can only be one winner.

 

Success means freedom for the Gozitans from their French oppressors; failure means the marines face an unmarked grave on foreign soil.

 

A hero and a soldier to some, but certainly no gentleman, Gamble; battle-scarred and haunted by the horrific bloodshed at the Siege of Acre prior to this mission, must fight a new guileful enemy, even if the price means death or dishonour.

 

This is Gamble's toughest fight yet, and one he knows he cannot afford to fail.

  

For the ultimate battle will be for revenge.

 

The enhanced 2015 version of HEART OF OAK is now available in the FIRE AND STEEL ANTHOLOGY COLLECTION:

 

Amazon UK

 

http://goo.gl/xyUP7t

Amazon.COM

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Amazon.CA

https://goo.gl/xhiFYN

Amazon.AUS

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT WITH BARBARA LONGLEY

 

 

 

 

 

I am very pleased to announce that author Barbara Longley features next in the series.
As you may be aware I asked authors on my facebook page if they would like to appear in a series of *interviews*. I wanted to connect with other writers, find out what they write about, why they write, their thoughts about the writing process, their drives, and learn a little more about them. Please find the full interview below (also linked to my twitter, tumblr, facebook, Goodreads, and google + account).

Please do share with your circle of book friends and leave me a like/comment - thank you very much.

 

 

What started the interest to write?
I have always used writing as a way to process what is going on in my world, including some really ghastly, angsty adolescent poetry regarding unrequited love, etc. etc. I decided to try my hand at writing fictional novels in 2005. Of course I thought it would be easy. Not so much. Ha!

Tell us about your first novel?
I had intended my first novel, Until September, to be a modern day version of Jane Eyre. I wrote the first draft entirely on yellow legal pads, because I didn’t own a computer. Once I finally bought a computer, I word processed the entire 300 page manuscript onto the computer, printed it out and began submitting to agents and publishers. When that went nowhere, I decided to take a class at The Loft, a literary centre in Minneapolis, MN (U.S.)—a class that required students already had a finished manuscript. After two weeks, my 300 page masterpiece was reduced to 185 pages. The rest was total crap. So . . . I learned my craft and eventually deleted Until September from my hard drive. Everything about my first novel sucked. Talk about purple prose!

Are you self-published or traditional?
I am traditionally published, but hope to become a hybrid author at some point, like . . . when I catch a break in contract deadlines. (Not a bad problem to have.)

Do you have a literary agent?
I do. I’m represented by the amazing Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Associates.

 
Do you have a publishing contract?
I’m on the last book in a three book deal with Amazon Publishing’s Montlake Romance. The tale from there to here is a long one. My first book came out in 2011 with an e-book only publisher. I did not have an agent at the time, and I was quite naive. My experience with that e-publisher was less than satisfactory, and I realized I needed an industry professional in my corner. I realize some writers can do everything on their own quite successfully, and I admire those individuals. I cannot be that person. So, I began the agent search and was very fortunate to sing with Nalini. Within four months we had a six book deal with Montlake, and I’ve been with them ever since.

What genre do you write and what draws you to it?
I write contemporary romance, Celtic fantasy romance, and romantic comedy. Why so many genres you ask?? Because to write only one genre would eventually bore me, and a bored writer is going to write boring stories. I have to switch it up. I’m drawn to Celtic fantasy because I’ve always loved Celtic myths and legends, and those ancient tales provide an endless supply of muse fodder. Contemporaries draw me because, like in the past, I process what is going on in the world around me through my writing. I’m not always happy about how things turn out in real live, but when I write? I am the goddess of my imaginary universe. Things work out exactly the way I want them to. Romantic comedy is a new genre for me, and I like the light, funny aspect of that particular form of entertainment.

How many books have you written?

I have two – 4 book series out now, THE NOVELS OF LOCH MOIGH/time travel/historicals involving faeries, and the LOVE FROM THE HEARTLAND series, contemporary romance with military elements, one single title, HEART OF THE DRUID LAIRD, and immortal curse/quest tale, and a freebee, ONCE UPON A NIGHT AT SEA. That’s ten. November 2016 the 1st of the romantic comedies will be released, WHAT YOU DO TO ME (The Haneys series), and number 2 in that series will be out early 2017.
That’s it so far.

Who is your favourite character of your books?

My all time favourite hero so far is Ryan Malloy, in THE DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES. He’s soooo messed up, so creative, funny, sweet and complex . . . he’s a veteran with PTSD, who self-medicates with alcohol. He’s also suicidal and plays Russian Roulette with a vintage handgun. The opening chapter he’s finally going to pull the trigger, when fate intervenes. Honestly, THE DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES is the best book I’ve written. (so far) My readers don’t agree with me on that though. TRUE TO THE HIGHLANDER and FAR FROM PERFECT are my bestsellers to date.

 

What challenges do you face when writing?

I love the writing part. I tend to be very hard on myself, and I forget to count my blessings. I suffer all the insecurities most writers do. Sometimes I’m convinced I suck at writing, and sometimes I think I’m pretty good. I’m a total introvert, and writing can be isolating. The usual stuff I guess. How about you? What are your challenges? I’m always interested in hearing what other writers experience.
Who do you act out the scenes in your novels with? If you do
I do act out scenes! In each scene, I act out the part of the POV character. Since I write in third person and include H/h POVs, my role changes. I’ve tried to explain to newbie writers that writing IS acting. You have to become that character if you’re going to achieve deep POV, right?
What is your favourite thing you've written and why?  Favourite line/scene/plot
There are parts and scenes in all of my books that are favourites, but the fantasy world building, like when my heroine is kidnapped by a fae princess, and left in the land of shadow . . . that was a fun world to create. Then, there’s the first chapter of THE DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES, which I mentioned before. If I can create the image, evoke the emotions, and draw a reader in . . . then that’s my favourite.

Where do you do your writing?

I have a home office where I’m surrounded by my favourite reference books, a comfy chair, my printer, and all of my book bibles.

How many hours a day on average do you say you spend writing?

Hmm. It varies. I’m generally writing by 6:00AM, and stop around 1:00PM or 2:00PM. So, 7 or 8 hours a day including breaks, like at a regular job. I go to Yoga three mornings a week, which leads me to write seven days a week to make up the hours. I write every day unless something is going on which prevents me from doing so. I get cranky when I can’t write.

How do you structure each story - do you start with an outline, plot each chapter as you go or just write and see where it flows?

Generally, I create a book bible before I start writing the story. These include character development sketches, plot, synopsis and research. It’s nice to have these in place first, especially when writing series, because you have everything you need right there if you have to look something up.
I find doing things this way helps me avoid the, “Uh . . . now what(s)? Where do I go from here(s), and the saggy middles.” I don’t lose my way, but I can still be flexible enough for my characters to take things in new directions.

Where do you market your work?

I market on social media, just like everyone else. I’m lucky, because no one sells books like Amazon sells books, and they do most of the marketing for me. Occasionally I submit my books to review sites, and I do a few promo sites.

Any tips on what to do and what not to do? Like marketing strategies that have worked for you or something that had poor returns?

I have no idea what works and what doesn’t. Do any of us? Marketing really is the toughest part of what we do, because what works now . . . most likely won’t work next month.

What social media platforms do you use?
My current favourite is to have readers follow me on my Amazon author page, because Amazon will send my followers a direct e-mail when I have a new book come out. Direct e-mails are the best marketing tool at present. Then of course I’m on twitter and Facebook.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Longley/e/B005H0LRLE/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1460144868&sr=1-1
Twitter: @barbaralongley
Facebook: Author page https://www.facebook.com/Barbara-Longley-221712464539145/
Profile page (which is way more fun) https://www.facebook.com/barlongley

What has surprised you most about writing?

What surprises me the most is this: I get paid to make shit up. Honestly, how cool is that? Originally, I had hoped writing/being published would be a good way to supplement my teacher income. Never did I imagine I’d be able to earn my living through writing, but I am. No, I’m not a millionaire or even rich, but I am making my living by doing what I most love to do—tell stories.

 

How much do you feel you've evolved creatively?

I write much cleaner and faster than I did when I started out. My first two books took 18 months to write. Now I write a full length novel in 4 to 6 months. I have a much better understanding of story structure these days. I feel more professional at what I do now than I did when I began writing seriously for the purpose of publication.

Have you attended any literary events? Writer's workshops?

Absolutely! Attending conferences, workshops and literary events helps us to develop our craft and to network. Writers “get” writers like no one else does. I need to be with my tribe whenever I can.

What do you think makes good writing? What do you think the secret to success is?

Tight writing is good writing. Avoid superfluous words, buffer words, passive verbs, and dive in deep. My books are character driven rather than plot driven. Compelling characters drive the plot forward, rather the plot driving the characters along. It’s the humanity, the connection and the relatable aspects of a story that captivates a reader. (For me, anyway.)

And what book has had the biggest influence on your work?

Shakespeare’s Comedies, because he so “gets” human nature, and because I prefer the comedies to the tragedies.

What's your favourite character archetype of literature?

My all time favourite archetype is the “Unwilling Hero,” that poor hapless soul who gets caught up in a situation he or she did not ask to be caught up in, and yet he/she rises to the occasion, overcomes all obstacles and grows. Come to think of it, this archetype shows up a lot in my stories.

And lastly, what advice can you give to other writers?

Be open. By that I mean, if you seek productive criticism, don’t be defensive. Listen. If more than one person tells you the same thing about your work, pay attention, and make the necessary changes. Learn your craft, and never stop improving. Persevere, and see obstacles as stepping stones leading you to where you want to go. Write on!

 

Thank you so much for agreeing to feature on the Spotlight series and sharing your thoughts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT SERIES WITH D.M. MILLER

I am overjoyed to announce that author D.M. Miller features next in the series.

As you may be aware I asked authors on my facebook page if they would like to appear in a series of *interviews*. I wanted to connect with other writers, find out what they write about, why they write, their thoughts about the writing process, their drives, and learn a little more about them. Please find the full interview below (also linked to my twitter, tumblr, facebook, Goodreads, and google + account).

Please do share with your circle of book friends and leave me a like/comment - thank you very much.

What started the interest to write?

When I was 12 years-old, I began writing poetry. That is a tender age for any child and even more so for me, after having gone through some traumatic experiences. I needed an escape, not a vice but another form of catharsis. Writing was it.

Tell us about your first novel?

My very first novel was one I wrote at the age of 20, but let's not talk about that one. My first published novel is called, The Religion of the Heart, and is an interfaith love story between a Muslim and a Jew. In the book, I highlight some controversial issues like the anti-Semitism that is preached in many Muslim communities, but I also show that there is good and bad in every religion and culture. When it comes down to pure love, does the rest matter? You have to read the book and see!

Are you self-published or traditional?

Self-published, and I'll tell you why. Over twenty years ago, back when you had to send the old self-addressed stamped envelope along with your fully printed work to dozens of agents and publishers who were willing to accept unsolicited manuscripts, my heart was torn to pieces.  After a break for a couple of years, I attempted again with the same dismal results. I realized they were only looking for the formula that's proven to work, unwilling to take a chance on anything different. Yet the break-out stars never follow the rules.

This time around, despite knowing that the maturity and depth of my work today far exceeds anything I'd done twenty years ago and I'd stand a better chance going the traditional route, I'm doing things my way. Amazon has given us the tools to be able to do that, and I'm taking full advantage.

What genre do you write and what draws you to it?

The genre, I suppose, is romance, though I say that reluctantly. Romance carries a stigma because people have this negative preconceived notion about what it is. No, it's not all trash. Nowadays, romance is a huge genre broken up into multiple categories.

My books are love stories but so much more. They're about the complexities of life, relationships, family, religion and culture. Of course I'm drawn to these things because they're what life is all about.

How many books have you written?

I co-wrote a nonfiction book under a pen name, but as myself, I have two published novels and a book of poetry on the way. The Religion of the Heart is my first, Agony of the Heart is the sequel, and the third installment is due to come out next year. Dandelion Fuzz is a compilation of poetry I wrote long ago when I was young and full of angst, and I plan to publish it next month.

Who is your favourite character of your books?

Abdul and Catherine are the protagonists from my "Heart" series, and this may surprise you, but I have more fun writing Abdul's character than Catherine's. He was born into a wealthy Egyptian Muslim family and lived a somewhat secluded life as he didn't go to school but was taught by tutors. After moving to England, his parents worried about the West corrupting him, and he didn't get to really break out until he went to university. However, with education being so important to his family, he was able to become a free-thinker and form his own opinions on things. Still, he struggles between his Middle Eastern upbringing, the very different Western culture, and his own emotions. Catherine is a Jew, and he's supposed to hate Jews, but he knows what he feels.

What challenges do you face when writing?

Discipline. But I've finally found what works. I print out a chart with a daily and weekly goal, and I must fill it out each day with how much I actually write compared to what I am supposed to write. Since I will not be defeated, seeing it in writing forces me to get it done, and this way, I never write less than the minimum. Without the chart, I'm just in lala land.

Who do you act out the scenes in your novels with?

Only in my head.

What is your favourite thing you've written and why? 

The ending of both novels. Every time I reread the ending of each one, I'm overwhelmed with emotion.

Where do you do your writing? Do you have an office/workplace?

I have an office in my house, and most of it is done there, although at times I break out my laptop and do some writing elsewhere.

How many hours a day on average do you say you spend writing?

That really varies, but when I get into the thick of things and set out a plan, around 1500 words/day is what works for me.

How do you structure each story - do you start with an outline, plot each chapter as you go or just write and see where it flows?

I have a basic outline and certain plot points that have to happen. Sometimes as I'm writing, new things that I hadn't planned take place, but the main ideas absolutely have to be in there because that was my plan.

Where do you market your work?

Marketing is my biggest weakness. I have no idea what I'm doing.

What social media platforms do you use?

Facebook

Twitter: @dmmiller_author

Wordpress: dmmillerauthor.wordpress.com

 

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/D.-M.-Miller/e/B012RDNV76/

How much do you feel you've evolved creatively?

As we get older and have more life experiences under our belts, our writing matures, and our perspective on things changes. I think now I can present a more complete overview of a situation, looking at it from different angles and showing how and why one character feels a certain way with the behavior to boot, and why another character coming from the opposite side sees things differently.

Who designs your book jackets?

Sara Armstead designed the cover for Agony of the Heart, and she did a wonderful job if I do say so myself. Her website is currently under construction, but her contact details are there: kihani-design.com.

Who proof-reads your work? Who is your editor?

There are three people who are my beta readers and who help to catch mistakes, though I have no "official" editor. My husband, my mom (ok, I know, I know), and another author who is an extremely critical friend of mine. I rely heavily on what he says because he's always honest, brutally so!

Have you attended any literary events? Writer's workshops?

Not lately, although growing up, I took many writing courses, started out in journalism and also did business writing years ago. That was all before starting a family, which derailed my writing career for a long time, but now I'm fortunate enough to be able to concentrate on my dream once again.

What do you think makes good writing? What do you think the secret to success is?

There are so many different aspects to it. The story itself is probably the most important thing because that's what drives the reader to finish the book. However, well thought-out characters are also important. I know my characters so well; they're a part of me. Their personality traits, how they'll react to this or that, is all second-nature to me, but that is not always the case with every writer.

What I always say is, if you can't stop reading the book and have to know what happens, no matter what your complaints about this or that, it's a good book. We writers can be nit-picky with fellow authors, but sometimes we should just read the book as a regular reader and stop being so critical.

Which authors do you rate?

Orit Arfa is an Israeli author who wrote a book called, The Settler. This book has so many layers to it, and just when I thought I completely understood, I read a nonfiction book she wrote which illuminated yet another layer I hadn't seen. It's a book that has everything and is written to perfection.

Other authors I enjoy include A.M. Khalifa, Ahmad Ardalan, Zohra Saeed, Peter Best, Maria Gibbs, Toni Morrison, and of course, Hemingway, to name a few.

And what book has had the biggest influence on your work?

The Biblical Book of Esther. It is about an ordinary Jewish girl who gets an unusual opportunity to compete to become the Queen but reluctantly must put her own life on the line in order to save her people from slaughter. She doesn't want to be brave but doesn't have much choice in the matter because she'll probably die either way. The book is a triumph of good over evil but so much more. It's the only book of the Bible that is written like a novel and doesn't even mention G-d.

What's your favourite character archetype of literature?

That would be Esther again. She came from nothing but rose to the top, both in prestige and in spirit.

And lastly, what advice can you give to other writers? 

To follow your dreams. Don't waste years of your life hemming and hawing about writing. Just do it. I am a mother and love that role, but I lost myself along the way. Now that I'm back to writing, I've rediscovered an integral part of myself. If you're truly a writer at heart, you need this in your life.

Let it flow.

Thank you so much for agreeing to feature on the Spotlight series. Good luck with your writing career!

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT WITH MATTHEW HARFFY

I am overjoyed to announce that author Matthew Harffy features next in the series.

As you may be aware I asked authors on my facebook page if they would like to appear in a series of *interviews*. I wanted to connect with other writers, find out what they write about, why they write, their thoughts about the writing process, their drives, and learn a little more about them. Please find the full interview below (also linked to my twitter, tumblr, facebook, Goodreads, and google + account).

Please do share with your circle of book friends and leave me a like/comment - thank you very much.


Matthew, when did you start writing and what made you start?

In the past, I would often start stories, imagining I would write a novel, but they always petered out after four or five pages.

Then, back in 2001, I saw a documentary about Anglo-Saxon graves being studied at Bamburgh castle in Northumberland. I used to live in the area and something was sparked in me that night. I went to my PC and just started writing. From that point, it took me years to research and get enough words down, but in the end, that story became The Serpent Sword.

Tell us about your debut novel, The Serpent Sword?

I think the book blurb describes it pretty well:

BRITAIN 633 A.D.
Certain that his brother’s death is murder, young farmhand Beobrand embarks on a quest for revenge in war-torn Northumbria. When he witnesses barbaric acts at the hands of warriors he considers his friends, Beobrand questions his chosen path and vows to bring the men to justice.
Relentless in pursuit of his enemies, Beobrand faces challenges that change him irrevocably. Just as a great sword is forged by beating together rods of iron, so his adversities transform him from a farm boy to a man who stands strong in the clamour and gore of the shieldwall.
As he closes in on his kin’s slayer and the bodies begin to pile up, can Beobrand mete out the vengeance he craves without sacrificing his own honour … or even his soul?

Yes, it certainly captures the feel. I feel when I release a new story it appears quite daunting to think up - to summarise the story for fear of not doing it justice or to put people off.
Where does the main character of Beobrand come from? Is he all you? :)

That’s an interesting question. Beobrand is not a perfect man, and I realized after writing The Serpent Sword, that his story has some echoes of my own transition from youth to man. There were moments when I was faced with decisions that were to define who I would become as a man. I got mixed up with some unsavoury characters in my late teens, and whilst I didn’t go through such atrocious situations as Beobrand, I did have to make the choice to step away and walk on a better path.
Beobrand is purely fictional, but I think he is the idealized man I would hope to be if I was in his shoes.

So what's next in store for him in the second book of the Bernicia Chronicles, The Cross and the Curse?

In The Cross and the Curse, Beobrand finds new success and fame as a warrior. He is given land and fortune and hopes to settle down. But peace is a distant dream for our hero and he is soon beset by enemies both old and new. There are battles, betrayals, love, death, the clash of religions and the burning desire for vengeance over those who do him wrong.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the edits of the third novel in the Bernicia Chronicles, BY BLOOD AND BLADE. That should be out this summer.

Any future projects?

I am also currently writing the first draft of a standalone prequel to the Bernicia Chronicles called KIN OF CAIN.

After that, I’ll begin work on the fourth novel.

Who is your favourite character of your books and why?

I can’t answer that! They’re all great!

May I ask in your designs to become a traditional author, have you been rejected? If so, how did you overcome the rejection?

Of course I’ve been rejected! What author hasn’t? I’ve been rejected by agents before finding one who liked my work enough to sign a contract with me. And then I’ve been rejected by all the major publishing houses! At least I know The Beatles and J.K. Rowling got a lot of rejections too, so there is always hope!

It depends on the individual's durability in overcoming rejection. A rejection is a direct sword blade to the heart of the time, effort and love that the writer has for their work. Any rejection is disappointing and disheartening.
So how to deal with the rejections?

I don’t know… just grin and bear it and keep doing what I know is right. I write what I would like to read. Many people seem to agree, so I can be happy with that.

Where can readers find your books?

The ebooks are exclusive to Amazon, but anyone can download them to their PC, tablet or phone, even if they do not have a Kindle device, using the free Kindle app. The paperbacks are on sale there too, and can be found on other online retailers, such as The Book Depository (that offers free shipping worldwide), or can be ordered from any good bricks and mortar bookshop.

Where does your love of early British history come from?

I am not sure I would say I have a love for early British history! I do have a love for a time that is undergoing rapid, often violent change. Britain in the seventh century is a maelstrom of races and religions competing for power – a perfect backdrop for exciting stories!

Have you visited any of the places that you write about?

Yes. I lived in Northumberland for a few years a child, and have returned a couple of times since. I have stood on the cliffs overlooking the North Sea while the sea birds wheel in the windswept sky. I have stood surrounded by the Cheviot Hills in the open field where the great hall of Gefrin would once have loomed over smaller huts and houses of the royal settlement. I have walked in the footsteps of Bishop Aidan and the monks on Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands. Northumberland is a magical place, and I think my love for the area comes through in my writing.

Which authors have enthralled you?

To name a few, J.R.R. Tolkien, David Gemmell, Bernard Cornwell, Robert Holdstock, Justin Hill, Robert Lautner, Larry McMurtry, Conn Iggulden, Stephen King, and so many others!

What writer or book has had the biggest influence on your work?

I think it would have to be the great Bernard Cornwell, but there is a lot of Larry McMurtry in there too, I think.

Where do you read mostly?

In bed, on trains, buses or planes if I’m travelling, and on the toilet! Well, you asked!

How many books do you read a month, would you say?

Not many. I’m a slow reader and my time is taken up with writing, work and life in general. I probably read about one a month, more if I really get into a book.

Where do you do your writing?

Wherever I can! I am writing this on my lunch break in a café. I write at home, in the back of my parked car while waiting for my daughter to finish her dance class, in the library, trains, planes, anywhere!

How many hours a day do you write?

Very rarely do I write for more than an hour at a time, and not every day.

Do you agree with the statement: write about what you know?

No. Write what you want to read, and then make sure you learn enough about it to make it good.
What challenges do you face when writing? Are you easily distracted?

Not having enough time. I would answer the second question, but I just found an interesting video on Facebook…

What are the best and worst things about being a writer?

Best thing – connecting with people who have read my books and enjoyed them!
Worst thing – how long it takes to write a novel!

How do you market your books?

The usual – Facebook, Twitter, a blog, mailing lists, on history groups on Facebook, etc.

What do you like doing when you aren't researching/writing?

Until recently I sang in a rock band, but I was struggling to find the time for everything. I like going out with my family and friends to eat good food, going to the cinema, reading, visiting interesting places.

Have you attended any writing courses or conventions, if so, what are your thoughts?

No. I will be attending my first big event later this year – the Historical Novel Society 2016 Conference in Oxford, where I will be speaking on a panel!

What advice can you give to other writers?

Like Nike says – just do it!

Thanks for the questions. It’s been fun answering them.

Thank you Matthew, please find links below to his website, books and other social media.


www.matthewharffy.com
https://twitter.com/MatthewHarffy
https://www.facebook.com/MatthewHarffyAuthor
Buy The Serpent Sword: http://getbook.at/TheSerpentSword
Buy The Cross and the Curse: http://getbook.at/CROSSandCURSE

NEW RELEASE! TEMPEST OUT TODAY!

TEMPEST, the sixth novella in the Soldier Chronicles historical series is out for the Kindle TODAY - WORLDWIDE.

Fishguard, February, 1797: HMS Britannia anchors off the Pembrokeshire coast in the dying days of winter. Two armed companies of soldiers row ashore, led by the charismatic American, Colonel William Tate. They are met by the local Welsh Volunteer regiment who, unlike the suspicious locals, have been expecting them.

But one man has been secretly shadowing a small flotilla bound for the same destination. Major Lorn Mullone, a shrewd Irishman employed by the British government, considers that their arrival is more than fortuitous.

Is this just a mere coincidence or perhaps a ruse de guerre? Mullone has to uncover the truth and, with every step of the way, he must tread carefully if he is to survive.

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AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT WITH CHRISTOPH FISCHER

I am overjoyed to announce that author Christoph Fischer features next in the series.
As you may be aware I asked authors on my facebook page if they would like to appear in a series of *interviews*. I wanted to connect with other writers, find out what they write about, why they write, their thoughts about the writing process, their drives, and learn a little more about them. Please find the full interview below (also linked to my twitter, tumblr, facebook, Goodreads, and google + account).

Please do share with your circle of book friends and leave me a like/comment - thank you very much.



Hi Christoph, thank you for featuring here today.
When did you start writing and why?

About 7 years ago I began some ancestry research and read a lot of history books about Czechoslovakia during and after World War 2. I learned a lot that I hadn’t known and combining those facts with some ideas about my family’s roots in the region resulted in my novel “The Luck of the Weissensteiners”. Although this is not the story of my ancestors, the book is quite close to my heart.

Are you self-published or traditional?

Self-published, out of choice. With all the changes in the publishing industry authors are called upon to do a lot of their marketing work anyway. I prefer having the control over cover design, who edits my novels and how it is marketed.

If you can make it work, then fantastic. It's hard work, that's for sure. Lonely, sometimes and I wonder whether an agent would help champion my work or not? I have mixed feelings.
How many books have you written?

I’ve written ten novels so far. Here are some of them:

Five historical novels, all set in the 20th Century: “The Luck of the Weissensteiners” (Slovakia during WW2), “Sebastian” (Vienna during WW1), “The Black Eagle Inn” (Germany after WW2), “In Search of a Revolution” (Finland between 1918 and 1956) and “Ludwika” (A Polish Ostarbeiter in Germany during World War 2).

Three contemporary family dramas about mental health and Alzheimer’s.

Two thrillers: “The Healer” and “The Gamblers”.

Brilliant! I've just picked up Ludwika. What a story!
What are you working on now?

I’m working on a sequel to “The Healer” and on a comic rural murder mystery.

Who is your favourite character of your books and why?

Jonah Weissensteiner is a very jovial and caring father figure with a great sense of humour. He’s close to how I saw my father and how I imagined my grandfather, whom I never got to meet.

Where can readers find your books?

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/
Blog: http://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer
Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/527811
On iTunes: https://itun.es/i6LL9CF
Nook Book Link: http://ow.ly/LMhlm
On Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1bua395
B&N  http://ow.ly/Btvas

Which authors have enthralled you?

Paulette Mahurin, John F Hanley, Brett Easton Ellis, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Gregory David Roberts, Ian Hutson, Melodie Ramone, Judith Barrow.

What writer or book has had the biggest influence on your work?

Lionel Shriver with her sharp and acerbic writing, Christos Tsiolkas with his uncompromising style, Khaled Hosseini with his ability to portray diverse cultures and alienation… so many more.

What book are you currently reading?

“Enjoyment is Forbidden” by Aaron David. I love the author’s sense of humour and sharp wit.

Where do you read mostly?

In a quiet corner at home or on busses, airplanes and in the bath tub.

Your next book should be an autobiography called 'Planes, Trains and Bathtubs'. :)
How many books do you read a month, would you say?

About ten, sometimes more.

If I love a book so much I'll re-read it...so does that count as two...?
Where do you do your writing?

In a quiet corner of my house, overlooking the garden.

How many hours a day do you write?

When I am in full flow it can be up to 8 hours. Writing is all consuming, the story needs to come out, it’s like giving birth…

And the cravings too. Haha - ahem...
Do you agree with the statement: write about what you know?

To some degree that is true but as historical writer I am forced to write about things I do not know about from personal experience. Good research and thoroughness can compensate. What you know about can also be too familiar; I’m personally more motivated to find out what I don’t know and write about that.

What has surprised you most about writing?

How much time it takes; not the writing but the editing and formatting and marketing.

Yep, agree with you there.
What do you like doing when you aren't writing?

Walking my dogs, exercising and watching some mindless comedy TV.

How do you structure your writing - do you start with an outline, plot each chapter or just write and see where it goes from there?

I have basic outlines and ideas for chapters but usually the story takes on a life of its own and things happen quite differently than planned.

Have you attended any literary events?

I’ve been to the Kensington Christmas Book Fair in December 2015 and am currently organising a Book Fair in Llandeilo, West Wales. I’m looking forward to the Historical Novelist Society Conference in Oxford later this year.

I look forward to seeing you there!
So what social media platforms do you use?

Twitter, Facebook, blogging, Google Plus, Amazon promotions.

What is your favourite genre?

Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Comedies and thrillers.

And the favourite thing you've ever written so far?

The epilogue in “The Luck of the Weissensteiners”

What scene in your writing has made you laugh the hardest or cry the most?

Without spoiling anything, the scene where one character in “The Luck of the Weissensteiners” dies. It still gives me goosebumps.

What do you think makes good writing?

Many different and quite opposite things, I believe. I personally like sharp and pointed writing best, raw and uncompromising in style, yet I also enjoyed some very wordy and flowery literature.

Lastly, what advice can you give to other writers?

Work hard, keep writing, believe in yourself and don’t let yourself be discouraged.
Write for the love of writing and for your audience as well as for yourself. Enjoy it.

Thank you, Christoph!

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT WITH ANNIE WHITEHEAD

I am overjoyed to announce that author Annie Whitehead features next in the series.

As you may be aware I asked authors on my facebook page if they would like to appear in a series of *interviews*. I wanted to connect with other writers, find out what they write about, why they write, their thoughts about the writing process, their drives, and learn a little more about them.Please find the full interview below (also linked to my twitter, tumblr, facebook, Goodreads, and google + account).

Please do share with your circle of book friends and leave me a like/comment - thank you very much.



Annie, are you self-published or traditional?

I’m self-published, although I am under contract to a literary agent.

It must be great to have that extra support from an agent.
So how many books have you written?

I’ve written three historical fictions:

To Be A Queen tells the story of Alfred the Great’s daughter. She grew up in Mercia and was married off as part of an alliance between her father’s kingdom of Wessex and the satellite kingdom of Mercia. She eventually came to rule Mercia and was instrumental in the fight against the invading Vikings.

Alvar the Kingmaker is the story of a leading nobleman in the 10th century. He was one of three powerful earls in the reign of King Edgar, a period noted for its lack of Viking invasions, which allowed time for dirty politics and intrigue at court between rival factions. Chuck in a couple of civil wars and a bit of regicide and you find that the Vikings weren't the only thing to cause havoc in England.

The third book, as yet untitled and unpublished, is also set in the ancient midlands kingdom of Mercia, but in a much earlier period.

I'm keeping an eye out for Alvar the Kingmaker. A well written piece about court politics can be equally as exciting as a battle scene.
What are you working on now?

I was a prize-winner two years running in the Mail on Sunday Novel Writing Competition. The second year, judge Fay Weldon remembered me and told me that I should turn my second piece into a full-blown novel. So that’s what I’m up to at the moment, although it’s not historical.

Any future projects?

I’ve another novel which I want to write. Curiously, the title came first. Usually I have a great deal of difficulty coming up with titles. Now I just need to write the rest of it!

I find I don't start with a title. I outline, plot and write. During the writing stage I find the title just pops up. With Tempest (release TBA) it first became Deception Point. Then I laughed thinking it was not a Dan Brown novel.
So what about you? Do you start with an outline, plot each chapter or just write and see where it goes from there?

The starting point is deciding whose story I want to tell. The outline has to come next, because the historical timeline already exists. Then I need to decide what to include and what to leave out. After that, I have to flesh out the characters and plausibly fill in the gaps with fiction. I might know, for example that all my characters were in one particular location in one year, and it might be documented where they were the following year. But it’s up to me what happens to them in the intervening months. The characters’ story arcs have to blend accurately with the history, but I always have the history to hang the plot upon.

Who is your favourite character of your books?

I’m a little bit in love with Ethelred of Mercia, from To Be A Queen. He was an enigmatic figure; nobody knows quite how he arrived onto the pages of history and it’s a shame that we don’t know more about him.

Where can readers find your books?

In all the usual places - they can even be ordered from your high street book shop. But here are some links:

http://mybook.to/To-Be-A-Queen
http://mybook.to/AlvartheKingmaker
https://www.feedaread.com/books/Alvar-the-Kingmaker-9781786106889.aspx

How many hours a day do you write?

If I’m not out at work, I try to get a whole ‘working day’ in - maybe from 8.30 to 5. If I’m doing final edits though, I might do 12-14 hour stints.

12-14 hour stints? Wow. I find even after 2 hours I need to get up and walk otherwise I'll end up like Davros from Doctor Who.
Do you agree with the statement: write about what you know?

Up to a point. But you can always apply your own experiences to other things.

What is your favourite genre?

I would have to say Historical Fiction. It was really the only type of fiction I read when I was younger, and the only subjects that ever interested me at school were English and History, so it’s the perfect fusion for me.

Nowadays I read more widely, and will tackle most genres, apart from horror.

What challenges do you face when writing? Are you easily distracted?

I have an old lap top which I don’t connect to the internet, so when I’m writing I don’t get distracted. But I have learned that sometimes my brain just won’t allow me to write - it’s not so much writer’s block as just not being ready. I go with the flow, and wander round doing other things until I’m ready to sit down and write.

How much do you feel you've improved in the last few years?

Having written three historical fictions, I think I’ve now reached a point where I’ve found my ‘voice’. The book I’m working on at the moment is not an historical, so it will be interesting to see if I speak in that same voice. I think I will, because I’ve now developed my own style of writing.

What are the best and worst things about being a writer?

The best thing is the total absorption - I can lose whole days when I’m writing. It’s a form of mindfulness.

(Escapism? That's what I was told once.)

The worst? The usual self-doubt probably.

Do you believe in writers block?

I’ve never had it, but what I do suffer with is having to wait until my brain is ready to let me sit down and write. I can have all the ideas, and know exactly where I want to go with a story, but will find myself wandering away from my desk, going out for walks, folding linen. It used to worry me but now I know it’s a process that I have to go through. Then, when my brain is ready, I sit down and can quite happily not look up again until I’ve written 5000 words or more.
 
What is the most exciting experience you've had as a result of writing?

Being a guest at two literary lunches as a prize-winner for the MoS competitions that I mentioned above. I met lots of agents, editors and authors: Fay Weldon, Sarah Waters, James Buchan, Simon Brett ...

Yeah, I need to get out more and meet people. I'm shy and a gathering of agents, authors and readers feels me with so much insecurity.
What do you like doing when you aren't writing?

As recompense for the hours spent hunched over a computer, I do a lot of ‘working out’ - from Pilates to kick-boxing and weight-training, to walking, cycling and running. I’ve also developed a slight addiction to colouring books! I have an extensive collection of music too.

Do you write full-time or do you have another job?

I work part-time as a freelance Early Years Music teacher, but I also make a small amount from writing articles for magazines.

Oh wow, I didn't know that about you.
What do you think makes good writing? (I love this question because everyone featured in the series answers it differently and it's great to read what other writers think.)

It can be a blend of many things, but ultimately it has to be a mixture that takes a reader right into the scene, right into the characters’ heads, right into the action.

What writer or book has had the biggest influence on your work?

Jane Austen. Simply because I remember my A level English teacher explaining how brilliantly she dropped bits of information into her books which would repay a second reading, and how you always know which character is speaking, because she gave them such distinctive voices.

Ah, Jane. Re-reading Emma right now. I agree with what you said about the voice, she was a master. Where do you read mostly?

In the summer I sit outside in the garden and read, from early morning until the sun disappears somewhere beyond the bottom of our hill. In the winter I’m either curled up on the sofa, or in the comfy chair in my bedroom.

How many books do you read a month, would you say?

3-8, depending on what else I’m busy with.

What's your favourite character archetype of literature?

Probably the flawed hero. I have a problem with villains - I struggle to believe that anyone is truly just ‘evil’ and always like to know why they’ve developed into awful people. I understand now that some people are genuinely unpleasant for no reason, but I do still try to find some excuse to forgive them - I’m too nice!

What advice can you give to other writers?

If ever you are tempted to give up, ask yourself what you’d rather be doing. If the answer is nothing, then you are a writer. Keep going.

Thank you for your time, Annie, it was pure joy to have you guest here today.