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Interview by Crime Thriller Fella

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I was asked some interesting questions by Crime Thriller Fella http://crimethrillerfella.wordpress.com/ Hope you enjoy reading it.

Interview questions by Crime Thriller Fella for Hemmie Martin
Tell us about ‘Rightful Owner’
‘Rightful Owner’ is the second novel in the DI Wednesday series. The crime takes place in a swinger’s club, when one of the members is found dead. The victim’s rather an enigma to most of the group, so Wednesday and Lennox need to work hard to discover clues and a motive.  Wednesday’s personal life continues to be embroiled with her mother’s mental health issues, and Lennox’s personal life takes a nose dive, thanks to his teenage son.
The book is set among an exclusive swinger’s club – how does one go about researching such a setting?!
Wouldn’t it be exciting if the answer was I joined such a club with my husband, and used every experience in my novel? Alas (or perhaps not), neither myself nor my husband have been members of such a club. However, I’ve always had a fascination for the sexual underworld, and over the years have watched any programme exploring scenes such as S and M clubs in America, to dogging in Epping Forest. I don’t want to mock the individuals, but try and understand that world from their point of view, this way, I hope I can write about realistic characters with different backgrounds.
How would you describe your protagonists, DI Eva Wednesday and DS Jacob Lennox?
Eva Wednesday is thirty-seven, and lives in a three bedroom detached Georgian property on the outskirts of Cambridge. She leans towards being passive aggressive, and can appear aloof to colleagues, but only because she likes to keep her personal life private, for good reasons. She is fragile and sensitive, but tries to keeps those traits well hidden .Eva’s method of working is organic, and being aware of her gut feelings, whereas Jacob Lennox works in a regimented and meticulous manner; their partnership works well.
Jacob is thirty-nine, and lives in a bedsit following his divorce. He is handsome, and knows it. He’s a natural flirt around the station, causing fluttering hearts amongst the officers. However, his self-assurance can come across as being arrogant. His personal life is in tatters, and the path is teenage son causes him embarrassment.  Jacob is hedonistic, which sometimes jars with those around him.
How do you go about researching your DI Wednesday novels?
I worked as a forensic nurse in a Youth Offending Team.               My experiences of visiting prisons, police cells and courts, add some (I hope) realism to my novels. I remember vividly the pressure of the job, the claustrophobic feeling of the cells, and the general malaise clinging to the atmosphere in the prisons. I was visiting an offender once, when the prison alarm rang. A fight had broken out, and lock-down was being enforced. Although I was completely safe, adrenaline riddled by body. I also remember taking a group of male adolescents to a male adult prison, with the idea of dissuading them from a life of crime. Walking within the grounds, men were hurling obscenities at myself and my female colleague, which was an uncomfortable experience.
                I now liaise with a DI in the major crime unit in the Metropolitan force, who answers my questions with regards to procedures and crime. I reserve the right to use artistic licence, however, as sometimes the police procedure is too long and complex for the purpose of the story.
                I am due to attend jury service in the near future, which I hope will add another dimension to my writing.
                I have a plethora of books on policing, forensics, poisoning, true crime, and criminal psychology, to name but a few.
Take us through a typical writing day
I’m afraid that to aid my concentration when writing, I drink coffee, eat mango chunks, and chewy sweets (Drumstick Squashies, to be precise for those who are curious to know). I like to write in my chair in the lounge if the house is quiet enough, otherwise I sit on my bed and spread my mind-map across the top of it. I sometimes listen to music, depending on the scenes I’m writing. I like to listen to classical music which I find less distracting, but if I’m writing aggressive scenes, I enjoy bands such as Green Day or Guns ‘N Roses.
I work three days a week, then divide the rest of my time between writing, running a family household, and going to watch bands in local pubs. I write better in the afternoons, after I’ve completed my chores; I hate to write amongst clutter.
What’s the hardest lesson you ever had to learn about writing?
That I’m never satisfied with my writing. I edit at least four or five times prior to sending it to my Editor at Winter Goose Publishing. We then do a couple of edits together, but even as I do the last read-through, I constantly see sentences and words I wish to refine and change, but my Editor stands firm! After my first novel, The Divine Pumpkin, was published, I opened the paperback and glanced at a random chapter. Straight away I saw a sentence that displeased me, so I’ve never opened any of my published novels since, although a copy of each are on a bookshelf.
How do you deal with feedback?
I do read reviews, as any feedback which could help me improve my writing or stories, is most welcome. I always ‘like’ the review on the site, whether that be Amazon or Goodreads. Once, on the latter, a woman gave me three stars for Attic of the Mind, the book she won via a giveaway. After ‘liking’ her review, she moved the rating down to two stars. I wasn’t sure whether she was wanting to engage me in a debate about her thoughts, but I would never comment on a review, even if I’m intrigued by it, as reading a book is an individual experience, and it wouldn’t be professional for me to engage negatively with a reader.
Who are the authors you admire, and why?
The first authors who grabbed my attention as a teenager were Anita Brookner and Vera Brittain. The latter wrote ‘Testament of Youth’, and living near Buxton, where Brittain once lived, the book shaped my adolescence in part. Although it was an autobiography of a young woman facing war, I related to her. Brookner wrote wonderful fiction focusing on people and relationships, something I enjoy writing about myself, perhaps influenced by Brookner.
I, of course, enjoy reading crime fiction. I’m fond of Agatha Christie, P.D. James and Ian Rankin, as they all write in a way that draws the reader in. Rebus, is a genius of a character created by Rankin, and Christie depicted quintessential England with finely penned characters.
Give me some advice about writing
Read extensively, but don’t imitate other authors. Find your own voice by writing and rewriting. When reading your work, read it out loud, and see how it sounds. Is the speech believable? Do the sentences run easily off the tongue? Vary the length of your sentences to keep the writing alive. Write what you enjoy, even if you need to research it; if you’re enjoying the story, hopefully the reader will too. If you’re bored, chances are the reader will be too. Lastly, I would say, enjoy the process of writing and creating a story. Enjoy!
What’s next for you?
‘Rightful Owner’ is released on the 12th of November. The third DI Wednesday novel, ‘Shadows in the Mind’, comes out in May 2015. The crime in this story takes place in a psychiatric unit. Then in June 2015, a contemporary novel, ‘Garlic & Gauloises’, is released. This story takes place mainly in France, in a writing retreat. I like to write both crime and contemporary fiction to keep my mind and writing fresh.

I already have a contract with the publisher for the fourth DI Wednesday novel, ‘What Happens After’, which takes place in a hotel, where the guest are all attending a divorce workshop.
Happy Word Flow One & All

Clues to Crime Writing

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When I became a published author of contemporary fiction, I always proclaimed I’d never write crime fiction, and I’d never write a series. And yet, here I am, three years later, an author of crime fiction, with a two book deal contract for the first two books in a series. I have written the third, but it needs much editing before I pass it over to the publisher.
I always thought crime would be too difficult to plot and write the resolution, although it is my favourite genre to read. I revere authors such as P.D. James, Ian Rankin, and newly discovered (for me) Elly Griffiths, and I still do after delving into this world myself.
I decided against writing a series in the first instance, as I love creating new characters. However, after creating DI Eva Wednesday and DS Jacob Lennox, I decided I enjoyed being with them so much, I wanted to see where life would take them. Thus far, they haven’t disappointed me, so our journey continues for the time being.
I went to a talk by Peter James, crime writer and Chair of the Crime Writers’ Association from 2011 to 2013, and he stipulated how important it was to have a link with the police force to give ones writing an element of reality. I thought at the time it was easy for him to say as he was a successful author, and I came away feeling slightly deflated.
One rainy Sunday morning, I was standing on the touch-line watching my teenage daughter play football, when I overheard the man next to me declaring it had been a quiet shift for murder that night, enabling him to come and watch his daughter play. Now I’m quite a shy person, but I approached him and explained my situation, then I gave him my ‘business’ card and hoped he would contact me; especially as he was, and still is, a detective inspector in the metropolitan police force.  He has been such an invaluable and patient resource, I dedicated my first crime book to him. The moral of this is you never know where you’re going to come across some form of inspiration or resource, so always keep your ears and eyes open, and a supply of cards with your contact details on.
I have a plethora of books on writing crime, and although they can’t answer questions like a human being can, they are an excellent addition to any writers’ armoury. I’ve listed below a sample of my own groaning bookcase to help you along the way:
Talking About Detective Fiction: P.D. James.
Criminology for Dummies: Steven Briggs.
Forensics: D.P. Lyle, M.D.
The Arvon book of Crime and Thriller writing: Michelle Spring and Laurie R. King.
As for devising the plot, I generally know the beginning of the story, which generally comes to me in a day dreaming moment, and the premise of the novel. I also believe I know the denouement, but I’ve proved this as a misnomer, as the outcome is invariable different to what I originally thought in the beginning. It tends to change as I get to know the characters more. The twists can take me by surprise, which in turn I hope surprises the reader.
I am continually learning about the art of writing, and when reading well-renowned authors, it feels like a never-ending process, which of course it is. But that is part of the joy of being an author, continually striving to master words, plots, protagonists, and antagonists, and to hopefully create a memorable read.
If I’ve helped one writer who’s been hovering on the diving board of crime writing, take the plunge, then I’ve achieved something. Welcome to the murky world my friend.
Happy Word Flow One & All

My New Found Joy of Editing

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I used to dread editing, especially my first time with an Editor from my publisher. I worried about undoing their hard work, or not being able to raise myself up to their standards. Adding comments in the boxes made a nervous rash clamber up my neck.
Three years on with my publisher, and I’ve learnt so much. I believe I have a better eye for what the Editor is looking for. I edit a manuscript four or five times prior to sending it to the publisher, and yet I’m still happy to iron out kinks with the Editor. It feels such a positive experience.
I’ve begun editing a novel which is due out in May 2015, and it occurred to me how much I enjoy the process; I actually find it invigorating.
I sit at my laptop eagerly, ready to erase whole paragraphs and conversations which add nothing to the story, and don’t move it along. In my early days of editing, I feared such actions as I believed I wouldn’t be able to recreate such artistic prose; that I was erasing my artistic vibes. How I laugh at myself now, for thinking that.
 The early manuscripts of my novels are certainly not full of amazing prose, they need erasing,  re-writing, and perhaps changing direction altogether. I blush at remembering my early days of submitting to agents. i would read article like this, urging writers to re-write, leave the manuscript for a while before returning to it to edit. I couldn’t find the patience in me to do that back then, whereas now, I follow those guidelines and feel all the better for doing so.
I’m not preaching to you here, just reflecting on my own mistakes along the way. You will come to your own conclusion in your own time, just as I did.
I chose to edit at the moment as a break from writing the following novel. I find I sometimes need a break to cleanse my eyes, so I can see where the story is leading me. Editing, is offering me the head-space I need, without me frittering away my precious time doing nothing.
Happy Word Flow One & All

Orchard Author Event

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How have you been lately? Me? Well the words have been flowing lately, thank you very much, but my get-up and get-out-there author promotion has been rather hit-and-miss. And who is to blame? Well me of course.

In my daily life, at work, I’m not a person brimming with confidence, I like to quietly get on with things, not drawing attention to myself. However, in the author world, this is exactly what I should be doing. I have a FB Author Page, this blog, and Twitter, but who wants to follow someone who constantly self-promotes? I’ve contacted a couple of promotion agencies, and I’m weighing up the options as they both have fees attached.

My publisher has a page displaying my books and some information about me, which is all very nice, but I need to direct people to it, otherwise how would they come across a small-fry like me? Oh, it’s Winter Goose Publishing, thanks for asking *blush*

I imagine I’m not alone in just wanting to write, and let the promotion side trundle-on by itself. It’s safe in my writing world; I can be mean, dangerous, rude, arrogant, and commit unspeakable crimes without being punished or snubbed. I can type in bare feet whilst eating mango or chocolate peanuts. I can drink copious amounts of coffee, and sit and watch the birds in the garden if I feel I need a break. And most of all, I’m hidden.

Well, something popped into my inbox the other day, that made me swallow all my fears and say, yes I will attend. What? I hear you cry. It’s the Orchard Book Club Author Event, and I’m going to be one of twenty-five authors attending it. Oh yes, I’ve booked my place, even though it’s not until March 2015. Don’t berate me, I’ve given myself plenty of time to develop confidence and order freebies to give away.

I won’t write the details here as I’ll post a link for you to click on. There’s a Ball in the evening; holy moly, what am I going to wear???

Now I really want to get back to writing, as I have a female character in grave danger; will DI Eva Wednesday and DS Jacob Lennox get to her in time? Maybe not as I’m feeling particularly dark today, and murder can be so deliciously evil – only in fiction, you understand.

Happy Word Flow One & All

Link to event details

Writing Rules

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I have swung from one writing rule to another over the past few years; torturing myself wondering whether I am using the right ones correctly.

I will sometimes not write for a few days; paralysed by confusion and doubt. And there, we already have a rule where several answers are floating around the writing community. Many people advocate writing daily to keep the words and ideas flowing. Hence, I feel guilty if I do not write; I believe I am letting myself down, and my writing will deteriorate in such light. Really?

Well, today, I read a insightful interview with Mark Billingham, in the Writing Magazine, June 2014. He mentions he does not sit down to write unless he actually has something to write. He may not write for a couple of days, or even a week. He finds once he has stepped away from the WIP, he then knows what he has to do; the break gives him clarity, which he finds especially important in crime writing. He still manages to write one novel a year.

From now on, I will endeavour to view my ‘blank’ days as time for reflection and invigoration. Such a positive spin makes even the inside of a dirty bin look enticing – or perhaps not quite that.

Mark Billingham also mentions something I thought only affected me. According to him, every professional writer feels their book is terrible when they get half-way through. writing it. I remember another successful writer saying something similar, but this reminder will hopefully stay lodged in my mind long enough to see me through the next two or twenty-two books.

Happy Word Flow One & All

Those pesky doubts.

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I hope that my poor mastering of the ever evolving technology allows me to post the link to my Goodreads Giveaway below.

I have three, signed copies of  ‘In the Light of Madness’ to give away. However, this time around, I’m only offering them to people who live in the UK, as whenever I have included other countries, the USA always wins! I thought I’d give my fellow Brits a chance this time!

I’m currently writing the third novel in the DI Wednesday series, and I’ve been struggling for a few days now. I’m close to the denouement, but I am doubting my route. I’m wondering whether there are enough twists, whether the reader will have guessed ‘who did it’. My mind is being tortured by the taunting of the characters, who all seem to be leading me a merry dance.

In January’s edition of ‘Writing Magazine’, Val McDermid is interviewed, and I found much comfort in her words. the interview began with ‘I still approach every book with a sense of doubt and dread’. I’m with you there, Val. She goes on to say that she believes it’s ‘a healthy approach’.  I want to laminate her interview so I can re-read it at moments such as this.

Val McDermid also says that she has self-doubt with every single book when she reaches about three-quarters of the way through the book. However, she just keeps writing. She suggests writers reaching this stage just write through it. This is me, and I’m going to follow her guidance and just write through it.

I can prevaricate as well as anyone; even writing this short post has taken me away from a blank page. I need to buck-up my ideas, and stop worrying so much, otherwise DI Wednesday will get very cranky with me, and justifiably so.

So, head over to Goodreads and enter the giveaway. Fingers crossed you get it.

Happy Word Flow One & All

PS. The link I posted didn’t work (what a surprise!), so just head over there, I know you can find it.