Interrogating Michael Brookes

Next up is a shy new author, Michael Brookes

How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

The first draft is purely for me. I then do an edit pass where I try to put myself as the reader rather than the author. I then throw it out to some trusted test readers who'll then provide feedback on what works or doesn't. I then review the feedback, if the point makes sense then I'll act on it. If not I may discuss it further, but ultimately it's down to me. As a writer I do believe that I am trying to get better so I find that feedback invaluable.

What excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.

I like to mix genres, I find they all have something to bring to the table. For example science fiction brings vision, techno thrillers bring an attention to detail and so forth. The Cult of Me comes vaguely within the horror genre, but does take techniques from horror stories as well as military thrillers and contemporary fiction. 

Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them? 

Not really, although I guess I should :-) I tend to let ideas percolate in my head until I have need of them.

How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

I gut and skin them :-) I'm a great believer in planning, especially for novels. Invading thoughts that threaten the plan have to have something pretty good in mind. With shorter pieces I'm a bit more freeform and let the bunnies have their say. Although quite often they are ruthlessly destroyed when the edit passes begin.

How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ? 

Probably more than I'd like, especially for the main character in the series. I think Friar Francis represents an almost a scholarly ideal I'd like to possess, but he still retains a harsh pragmatism to get the job done.

Do you become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're married to you or one of your characters?

I probably spend far too much time working and writing, but being not-so-young, reasonably priced and single I don't get into trouble for it.

What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

I read a variety of genres, mostly fantasy, horror and science fiction. However I enjoy classics, thrillers and non-fiction as well. I'm currently reading Paradise Lost, which for me is probably the best story ever written.

What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

I'm quite new to the business of publishing my work, so I don't think I've found my limits yet. Even though I knew it would be the case before I published it can be a little frustrating as a new author trying to get known and of course get some sales. As wiser people have told me, it's a long game, so I'll keep working on new books and stories as well as developing my blog and participating in communities like the Kindle Users Forum.  In many ways it's a harder task than writing in the first place, but it does have the advantage of getting to know new people.

How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

I work in the games industry so I'm quite used to harsh feedback :-) I actually prefer people to be honest, if they see a mistake please point it out so I can correct it if I can. Constructive and specific feedback should be of value to any writer.

What do you like most about visiting KUF/forums?

I'm a bit of a newbie, but the warm welcome was great. I also like the mix between authors and readers, there's some interesting discussions and useful feedback.

What is on your near horizon?

The Cult of Me is the first in a trilogy so I'm currently waist deep in the second book - Conversations in the Abyss. I'm also working on a short story for the KUF End of the World Anthology.

Where can we find you for more information?

I update my blog regularly at: http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/  

Mongol Rally by JA Irvine

This is the tale of two students who decide to do the London to Mongolia Rally.  It seems the only rule is that the vehicle must not cost more than £500.

This was an immense story of mainly border crossings and police check points as they cross out of Europe and through Ukraine, some 'Stans and Russia.  As someone who hates driving more than half an hour and loves my bed I certainly didn't envy them their trip, although some of the sights they saw must have been amazing.

As I got towards the end of the book, I got out my atlas of the world to try and trace their path and also to wonder if I could do their journey with the (lack of) maps they had.

I've found the blog chronicling this journey and it's great to see some of the landscapes. http://www.mjiccs.co.uk/l2m/

There are a handful of typos in the book, and sometimes I thought "not another police check point", but in the main I thoroughly enjoyed this book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007M41H2M/?tag=kuffbl-21

The Bird That Nobody Sees by Stuart Ayris

How do I write a review for this book?  It defies pigeon-holing,  How can a book about a midget planning to murder someone after serving prison time for a drugs bust (he was innocent) be so magical?

I find reading Stuart's books to put me in a "floaty" frame of mind.  They are not of this earth.  Every word (and he likes them) lifts you.

See, I can't adequately review this book :)  I would imagine that there may be people out there that won't like this.  Stuart is possibly a marmite author.  But once you "get him" you'll be on a fantastic journey.

This story in the main is about friendship - bloke friendship.  As a female it was interesting looking in on it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008N06XE6\?tag=kuffbl-21

Interrogating Helen Smith

Interviewing Helen Smith.

How do you strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if any?

I know that people’s tastes vary wildly so rather than try to work out what might appeal to someone – or, even more impossible, ‘everyone’ – I try to write books that I’m proud of and hope to find readers who will appreciate the books for what they are. I suppose it’s a bit like finding friends, isn’t it? Rather than try to be someone who will impress a certain group of people, you hope to meet people who will like you for who you are.

Do you have a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories? Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even if you have no idea when you might use them?

I have folders online where I make notes about the book I’m writing and future projects I’m planning. I usually carry a notebook with me in my handbag but I rarely write in it unless I can’t access my computer because I have trouble reading my handwriting.

How do you manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?

I have never heard that term before! Fortunately I have never suffered from an invasion of plot bunnies. Sometimes a minor character will start to become more important in the story I’m writing because I like them and I want to spend more time with them. For example there’s a colourful character called Jesmond in The Miracle Inspector who is a poet. I liked him when I started writing him so I gave him more space in the book than I had originally planned. But when something like that happens, it’s helpful to the story – nothing like those nasty-sounding plot bunnies.

How much of you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most like to be? Or be with ? 

There’s a lot of me in all my characters. I usually say that Alison Temple (who appears in my first two books, Alison Wonderland and Being Light) is a grumpier version of me. The character I’d most like to be is the eccentric philosophy professor, Dr. Muriel, who appears in my new Emily Castles mystery series. She’s Emily’s side-kick and she’s very intelligent, but it’s Emily who solves the mysteries. She’s rather a mischievous character and I imagine her being played by Miriam Margoyles if the series ever made it onto TV.

What type of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?

I write mainstream fiction and mysteries, but I read more widely than that. I like most genres, so long as the book is well written. I enjoy reading biographies and autobiographies, too. Since I got my Kindle I have found that I have started taking a chance on books I wasn’t sure I’d like – and I have discovered some new authors and genres that I have really enjoyed. I love the Kindle Daily Deal!

What lengths do you go to to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?

It’s really difficult to try to sell your own book. The best way that I have found to convince readers that my book is something special is to ask reviewers and book bloggers to read it and recommend it if they like it. I’m indebted to all the readers and bloggers who have taken the time to read, review and recommend my books – it’s a great way to get the word out. A few readers have told me recently that they’ve recommended The Miracle Inspector to their book groups, which is really wonderful. I’m always happy to do online Q&As for book groups if I can’t get to visit them in person.

How do you feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?

That’s never happened, fortunately. My books are copy-edited and proof-read but, even so, I think all of us notice one or two minor errors in just about every book we read because even copy editors and proof readers can miss them. It’s usually something like a missing word where text has been changed late on in the editing process, rather than a spelling mistake.

What do you like most about visiting KUF/forums?

I like finding book recommendations and reviews, and I like to know when books are on offer at a low price so I can grab them for my Kindle. Unfortunately that means I buy many more than I will ever read.

What is on your near horizon?

I’m writing a murder mystery series set in present day London. It features a twenty-six-year-old amateur sleuth called Emily Castles and her side-kick, a professor of philosophy called Dr Muriel. I have just finished the first novel in the series, Invitation to Die, and I’m now working on the next one, Beyond Belief. I have already published a couple of novella-length Emily Castles stories and they have been quite popular with readers, so I hope they’ll enjoy the full-length novels, too.

The print edition of The Miracle Inspector will be out on 4^th September so I’m doing a lot of work to promote that. It’s already available as an ebook and so far the reviews have been great.

The audio book of Alison Wonderland is out on 6^th November. I have never had an audio book out before – I can’t wait to hear it. I’m very excited about it.

Where can we find you for more information?

I have a blog at http://www.emperorsclothes.co.uk

I’m on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authorhelensmith

I’m on Twitter at http://twitter.com/emperorsclothes

Thank you!

Stark Warning by James Raven

I came across this book on the free list.  It caught my eye for the blurb, yet I was very suspicious of the reviews.  80% of them had only reviewed James Raven books and given it 5 stars.  I very nearly didn't download it, but I tried the sample and that was it, I was in.

This is a police procedural story, but the usp is that it is about the lead detective in a Celebrity Crime Squad.  A killer is threatening to kill someone every time a talk show host is seen on TV.

This book was very readable.  There was nothing much that held me up or pulled me out of the story.  It wasn't the most wonderful story, but certainly an enjoyable one.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008K0L1O6/?tag=kuffbl-21