- I have so many happy memories of my
childhood in Northumberland. I remember spending weekends exploring Bamburgh
Castle and its enormous beach where I used to play ‘hide and seek’ amongst the
sand dunes and look across the sea to Holy Island, which lies thirteen miles or
so further north along the coastline. Those early memories of the sand, water
and the towering castle on its craggy rock laid the groundwork for the stories
I now write.
Since January 2015, you’ve published six
books in the DCI Ryan series to great acclaim. That’s a remarkable
work rate.
How do you manage it?
- I’ve always had a very strong work ethic
and I can be very disciplined, when I want to be! However, I never like to
sacrifice quality, so each book goes through rigorous editorial processes before
release. The beauty of choosing to publish independently is that I don’t have
to wait for traditional publishing schedules before releasing a book – I can
decide when to release, which is great for readers because it means they don’t
have to wait quite so long for the next instalment of DCI Ryan!
As any author knows, being a writer can be
challenging and particularly so if you self-publish. To what do you attribute
your success in a very competitive market?
- I’m often asked this question and it’s a
difficult one to answer because there are so many brilliant writers out there
who have yet to be ‘discovered’. I was very fortunate that my first novel went
on to become a UK #1 bestseller and I think it comes down to a number of
factors aligning at the same time: a storyline that captures the reader’s
imagination, editorial quality, cover, sales copy and a little bit of good
old-fashioned luck. It’s as simple (and frustrating) as that.
You worked as a regulatory lawyer for many
years, do you think the experience you gained contributed to your skill in
plotting and attention to detail?
- I was experienced in drafting techniques
and had an eye for detail after working as a lawyer. More importantly, I think
the broad spectrum of people I met during that time has provided a wealth of
inspiration for the characters I write!
Do you have a special place where you like
to write and/or a particular routine?
- Often, I’ll take a laptop to a local
coffee shop and write a little bit in the morning after I’ve dropped my son off
at school. I like to try to do some walking during the day, otherwise I wouldn’t
be able to enjoy cake as much as I do! I also have an office at home where I
work if I’m on a tight deadline and need to shut myself away.
Where does your inspiration come from?
- My inspiration comes from the world
around me and the people I meet, particularly the landscape of Northumberland
which I find endlessly inspiring.
Are you a planner or do you prefer to let
your plots evolve as you go along?
- A little of both! Some books have a more
intricate plotline and therefore it’s important not to go off on a tangent,
whereas others allow for more of an organic process.
When you aren’t writing, how would you
describe your perfect day?
- Taking a long walk with my family, or
spending time hanging out with friends. Simple pleasures!
Which parts of the writing process do you
enjoy the least and the most?
-I enjoy writing the first and last few
pages of a book. There’s a special feeling when you create something entirely
new and an equally special feeling of accomplishment once it’s complete. I
don’t enjoy writing the middle of the book, which is usually around the time my
confidence and energy starts to wane!
If
you had to choose only one, who is your favourite character in your books? Why
is that?
-
Whilst DCI Ryan is the lynchpin of my stories, I have to confess to holding a
candle for DS Phillips. His character is loosely based on my late grandfather,
who was witty, intelligent and loyal in much the same way as his fictional
counterpart.
Who
would you cast to play them if your books were to be made into films?
-
I’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it!
Have
any particular writers influenced your work?
-
I have always been a voracious reader and so you might say all the writers I’ve
enjoyed since childhood have influenced me in some way or another, for
different reasons. However, as a crime writer, I don’t think you can beat
Arthur Conan-Doyle for sheer longevity, clarity of writing and thought.
Do you have an all-time
favourite book?
No, I can’t choose a
favourite, but the books I have read more than once include M. M. Kaye’s ‘The
Far Pavilions’, Daphne du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca’ and anything by Jim Thompson.
You say in your
biography that you’re a keen traveller. Do you think any of your destinations
will inspire a new series, and if so, which ones?
-
I think there’s a grain of truth to the old saying that you should ‘write what
you know’. In my case, I’ve spent time living in London, Paris and Florence
(amongst other places) and would like to write a new series which has a more
European flavour to reflect that experience.
Can
you tell us what you’re working on now?
-
With ‘Dark Skies’ coming out in time for Christmas, I’m polishing off some
final bits and pieces on that, as well as plotting the next DCI Ryan and
tinkering with an entirely separate psychological thriller.
I’d
like to end by asking you for your responses to a few observations made by
other writers over the years.
Fire
away!
‘If
you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to
write.’ Stephen King
-
I think this is very true. The act of reading over the course of a lifetime
prepares you as a writer, in particular, to recognise the styles and genres you
prefer to read and might then be well-placed to write. Of course, that will
differ for each individual.
‘One
day I will find the right words and they will be simple.’ Jack Kerouac
-
I think it’s true that, as a new writer, there’s a tendency to ‘over write’ and
use ten words to describe what could have been conveyed with one or two. As a
reader myself, I prefer the clarity of writers like Conan-Doyle and Jim
Thompson, whose longevity is probably thanks to their ability to write in an
accessible way.
‘You can never get a
cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.’ – C S Lewis. Would
you agree?
-
In my case, it would be coffee, but let’s not quibble! As for a book long
enough…I’d say, that rather depends on the book.
‘You
never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.’
Saul Bellow
-
I think the content can be inspired, but the technical specification suffers
thanks to over-tiredness!
‘The
road to Hell is paved with adverbs.’ Stephen King
-
I think we’re all guilty of the odd cheeky adverb (even Stephen King!)
‘After
nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we most need.’
Phillip Pullman
