How to commit the perfect murder to paper: Advice from David Thomas, aka Tom Cain

August 24, 2013 by Roland Clarke

As a wannabe crime writer I had to reblog this one as excellent advice

I’m not a fan of The Daily Fail. They really do seem to swim in the shallow end of the wading pool of intelligence. That said, today they featured an article from a very good novelist, someone with whom I’ve had some interesting conversations: David Thomas / Tom Cain. So like any good blogger, I’ve stolen the article and reposted it here. Enjoy!

All over the world, on countless flights, heading to an infinite number of sun-loungers people are burying their heads in stories about secret agents, serial killers, ace detectives, evil villains and sexy heroines.

Thrillers are a huge business. They make up about a third of all books sold, and 60 per cent of them are bought by women.

For the very top writers, the rewards are astonishing. In 2009, James Patterson signed a four-year, 17-book deal worth almost £100 million. At the peak of Da Vinci Code mania, Dan…

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Millie Burns: Dragon Writer

August 23, 2013 by Roland Clarke

For my 4th Post in the Indy Block Party, it is my pleasure to interview Millie Burns, author of ‘Return of the Crown’ and currently working on its sequel, ‘Zelera’s Revenge’. She has to be a Dragon Writer as she would surely find a place among the riders & harpers in Anna McCaffrey’s Pern series. Enough of my musings, on to the interview.

1. When did your love of Dragons begin?

I’ve been a lover of fantasy type stories for as long as I can remember. A couple of my favorite dragons come from both movies and novels. I fell in love with Scarlet the dragon in the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. I loved Draco from the movie Dragonheart, voiced by Sean Connery. Both those dragons are noble but also have a great sense of humor. I also have a special place in my heart for the Luck Dragon in the Neverending Story. I think I’m a little like Hagrid, if I met someone down at the pub, who had an egg…well, let’s just say I’d need to fireproof my house!

2. Dragons have had bad press ever since St George claimed to be the hero. Some of us suspect that the truth was perverted. Your dragons are a noble breed. What is their version of the truth?

Ena teases that she’d like to eat some of my human characters, but really she loves sheep! She’ll settle for a cow or a couple goats, but roasted leg of lamb is snout licking delish to her! She tries very hard not to take too much from any single farmer, and occasionally feels a little guilt at stealing from them. Her anger with humankind stems from people killing dragons for their skins, their blood, and their hearts. All the parts of the dragon have very magical properties. I can’t blame her for being suspicious of humans, and Zelera did steal one of her eggs.

3. Do you plot your books or are they quests as they unfold?

I start with a rough outline. A beginning, a few things I want to happen in the middle, and an end. But here’s the deal. While my story will look similar to the outline when I’m finished, it tends to be a half-step off to the side in places. Which is delightful. Most times when I divert from course, it’s a huge improvement from where I started. I still have about 20,000 words left in my WIP (at least that’s what I think I have left) and I’d like to say I know where I’m going with it, but those darn characters often rebel, and, well, I guess I’m a pushover as an author, ’cause I let them take the wheel at times.

4. How do you find your inspiration?

I think all my writing is just an extension of the world around me. (Shh, don’t tell anyone, but I do actually have a dragon). Just joshing. I have always had an overactive imagination, or maybe for me, it is just the right amount of energy with a sense of wonder. “What if” is a favorite question of mine.

5. World creation is an essential part of fantasy. What is your approach to making your world believable as well as fantastical?

I want people to be able to see the world, so they can partake in the adventure. So I make much of my world filled with scenery that is common to ours. I use creatures common in our mythology (and when I say ours, I mean it, the whole world’s. I’m not picky!) I may take liberties with said characters and their abilities, but I try to base them on available folklore : ) Then I try to paint out my magical elements in a way that they can be seen, felt, smelt and tasted (very sensory driven).

6. What’s the BEST writing advice you have ever received?

Write every single day. Some days I wonder though, doesn’t signing your name on a credit card slip or the bottom of a check count? Sigh, no? Life can get in the way once in a while, but I just keep chugging along!

7. What are your aim and ambition in writing?

I think knowing my story really entertained someone, that’s the greatest feeling in the world. I have a neighbor girl, who showed up on my doorstep one afternoon. She held my book out towards me in trembling hands, she couldn’t even find her voice to ask for an autograph. It made my heart melt!

I also sponsored a writing contest at my daughter’s elementary school last year, and chose a winner from each grade level. Every child’s story was published in an anthology I put together. This year, a mom came up to me, just thanking me profusely for inspiring her daughter. Her daughter wrote an article for the little neighborhood newspaper, and has begun an outline for a book series (she’s in fourth grade this year). So, outside of pleasing the characters in my head that have stories they want to share, I hope that I can continue helping foster a love of creative writing in the next generation!

So, my aim and ambition are to keep getting better, and keep having fun writing, so I can share my joy of fantasy and adventure with others.

I’d like to give a big thank you to Roland, for stepping up to interview me, as my next door neighbor seems to be AWOL.

It has been my pleasure Millie to learn about your writing world. Many thanks for taking time out to talk with everyone.

Further Author information at: http://burnsmillie.blogspot.co.uk/

Further Book information at: http://returnofthecrown.com/

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For other Indie Block Party participants visit: http://scotzig.com/2013/07/08/indie-block-party/

Millie Burns: Dragon Writer (rolandclarke.com)

Carly Tanner ~ Leading Lady & Athlete

August 21, 2013 by Roland Clarke

Indie Block Party Post 3: Interview with Carly Tanner from ‘Spiral of Hooves’

For my third post in the Indie Block Party I feel very privileged to be interviewing Carly Tanner the leading lady-athlete in ‘Spiral of Hooves’, who I have lived with now for over thirteen years.

1. What was your life like growing up?

In some ways simple and relaxed, well as much as growing up on a farm could be. But I suppose that was when I first learnt that there were chores to do and that animals had to die. I’m not sure whether that was why my dad, Peter went back to college and got his architect qualifications; but it was when my mother decided to focus on the horses rather than milking cows. I just wish she hadn’t put horses before her own health and her family. Or was that because dad buried himself in his work? Even now his building designs seem to come before horses. But he does support me, now that… mum’s dead.

2. Did your mum’s death change your dreams? What are your hopes for the future?

My mum is still central to my life. Finding her face down in the mud almost drove me to abandon everything. But I was unable to give up horses. There are moments when I wonder if I should resort to a nine-to-five office job, and become a weekend rider, but that isn’t me. I need to get back into the heart of my sport so I can show the potential of the horse my mother bred – Sylvan Torc. But it would not be sensible to accept the first job that seems to answer my dreams. My friends joke about finding the rich guy that can buy me anything – a way out of a life juggling to keep the income trickling in. They wonder why I mix horses with nights of pub work and waitressing. But despite the long, often dirty and wet hours, horses rule and I’m not ready to be bought.

3. How would you describe your looks?

Nothing special, plain and fit enough to ride. Maybe that is meant to be muscle, as I have to exercise to help cope with my diabetes. Oh, and some guys tease me about being ginger, but not for long.

4. What do you think is going to happen next?

If I’m being honest there are too many unknowns, as well as my shortcomings, like my diabetes and my mixed success with horses. If this was some romantic fiction then that rich guy would make my dreams come true – once we’d gone through unimaginable problems getting together. But I’ve been having bad dreams lately – real weird ones. So I suspect that I’ll get involved in some crime. As long as I’m not the victim it will be a challenge, of sorts. Just please don’t harm the horses, they’re too precious, even the ones who are struggling to jump.

5. What prank or crime would you most likely pull/commit?

Does this question imply that I’m not going to be the victim? Thank god… or is that just my need to put bad luck behind me? If I get to commit something it would be a prank – like putting a horse inside someone’s house. Mind you I’m not sure how the horse would react. Rose fertiliser?

6. Who do you hate, and why?

Not sure that hate is right for Mick Roper, my ex-boyfriend. He proved to be more of an idiot and I should have chucked him out sooner. Waiting until I discovered about the affair was not soon enough. I hope by hate you don’t mean there is someone that I end up killing. I’m not the killer type. Am I? Or do they want to kill me? Doesn’t sound like Mick, maybe the bitch he went off with.

7. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life what would it be?

Adele’s 21 although some might say that this dates me. But when it came out in 2011 it meant so much with the album’s themes of anger, revenge, heartbreak, self-examination, and forgiveness. I was still torn up by my mother’s death the previous year and had to clutch at things that could help me through the tough times. Maybe it echoes the betrayal by Mick as well. Hopefully in time it will just be soulful music that evokes pleasant memories instead. Can I amend my choice in a few years? If I live that long.

8. What are your 3 most prized possessions?

My home-bred mare Sylvan Torc, my flat coated retriever Guinness – a 21st birthday present – and my mother’s family bible in French. Sadly I have no living ties with my French relations even though I speak the language. Not much call for French though in Sussex, or anywhere in England.

Flatcoat retriever teef. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You can view the blogs of other participants in the Indie Block Party at:

http://scotzig.com/indie-block-party/

CURRENT WIP

August 20, 2013 by Roland Clarke

For my second post in the Indie Block Party I present a snapshot of my current WIP, although I have others hovering in the background.

My current WIP is ‘Spiral Of Hooves’, my first novel. A mystery set against the equestrian world of eventing, it is the first Book in the ‘Chasseur’ series. In the final furlong, or stages, it is due to be published as an e-book in a few months, by Spectacle Publishing Media Group http://www.spectaclepmg.com/ .

The idea originated from my experiences as an equestrian journalist, and from thoughts I had when I was living in Canada during the 1970’s.

BLURB: French researcher Armand Sabatier witnesses the murder of a rider in Canada, but a snowstorm obliterates the evidence and traumatic images from his past smother his memories. When his friend Gilles Boissard employs another young woman, Carly Tanner, as the replacement head groom in England, events resurrect the memories and the nightmares. Armand is forced to unravel a plot to pervert the breeding of competition horses, before it claims other victims

FIRST PARA:

The chair spun across the floor as Lina Jardero stood, fists punching the air.

“Caramba, the coward’s emailed more ridiculous demands,” she said, then paused as if expecting answers. “Why does everyone interfere in my work? Doesn’t anyone realise that I’m the scientist? There has to be an end to this.”

This WIP was mainly written pantser style, which meant I got lost over the years. Since then I have always tended to be a plotter. I’ve Just finished writing outline for sequel ‘Tortuous Terrain’, which I intend to write for NaNoWriMo in November. Other novels hiding in drawers at various draft stages – all bar one plotted.

Visit the Blogs of other Indie Block Party participants at: http://felwetzig.com/indie-block-party/

MANY THANKS TO ALL THE KIND VISITORS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE LEAVING COMMENTS & WISHES

Apologies if unable to post replies all the time but MS & time don’t fare well at the moment.

NaNoWriMo (scripturientauthor.wordpress.com)

Who Is Roland Clarke?

August 19, 2013 by Roland Clarke

INDIE BLOG PARTY Post 1: Introducing Myself

For this first post in the Indie Block Party, I will try to introduce myself to those readers joining this Grand Tour.

Although I started writing stories when I was a kid and tried to get short stories published in my late teens-early twenties, I have to be honest and say that I never saw myself as any sort of writer until I was much older.

I flirted with journalism in my early twenties but drifted into equestrian photography, then fruit & veg selling, then the TV & film industry. So I was forty when I returned to journalism and my equestrian articles got regularly published in various magazines. When after ten amazing years I had to retire due to ill health, multiple sclerosis, I turned my remaining energy to finishing my first novel, an equestrian mystery called ‘Spiral of Hooves’ – first in the Chasseur series.

Horses have remained a theme, especially as I have just outlined Book 2 in the Chasseur series, ‘Tortuous Terrain’. In other WIPs there are horses but in secondary or minor roles. There’s even one who can fold time & space…

All my current writing tends to be mysteries but in some cases with a touch of fantasy or supernatural. My reading covers crime and fantasy as does my TV and film viewing. Not surprising then that I try to combine them.

My spare time is spent playing Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games – from Lord of the Rings Online to current favourite Age of Conan Unchained.

My blog ‘Writing Wings’ is somewhat erratic, appearing when MS doesn’t bog me down with pain and exhaustion. I have to be inspired to write or I get very depressed with what I produce. The blogs aim is to track my experiences as a struggling fledgling writer. Hopefully there are a few gems in the blogs although I don’t profess to be an authority – those can be found on the Links page.

For other facts and dreams see About Me where there are links to Interviews by other writers.

For other Indie Block blogs visit: http://felwetzig.com/indie-block-party/

NORFOLK ADVENTURE

August 14, 2013 by Roland Clarke

My wife Juanita and I went for a wonderful weekend away. Read about our trip here…..

THE DUSKWEALD

We were invited to go to Norfolk for the weekend of August 10 – 12, 2013 with Steve and Jo Hackett…….now just to clear the air here let me tell you who these people are……….

Steve Hackett is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. He gained prominence as a member of the British progressive rock group Genesis, which he joined in 1970 and left in 1977 to pursue a solo career.

Jo Hackett is my husband, Roland Clarke’s ex-wife….I think it is lovely that two people who shared their lives for a time can look past whatever troubles caused them to drift apart and be friends……and both Steve and Jo are the best people anyone can be friends with.