One of the most enjoyable parts of blogging is the interaction with so many talented people and today I get to add yet another great author to the list of those who have been generous enough to spare time from their busy schedules and answer a few questions. David McGowan is the author of the exhilarating thriller The Hunter Inside the review for which can be found here .
1) Describe your work environment, are there any special items you must have at hand as you work
I keep a written diary of each scene in my work in progress with the word count. It helps when looking back for a scene or something that has happened. I also keep plot notes, maps, iPad, laptop, iPhone and, most importantly, candy – lots of candy!
2) What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was Duma Key by Stephen King. Very absorbing after a bit of a slow start, but reminiscent of some of his older work like The Shining. I would definitely recommend it!
3) If you could have credit for writing any book in history what would it be and why?
That’s a great question! I guess there are a couple, but my favourite of all time would be Catch 22. The intricacies, humour and downright intelligence of Heller’s writing is mind-boggling! I’d love to have written that novel. Also, I’d quite like to have the sales figures for Harry Potter (I’m not greedy, just one of them will do!)
4) You are based here in the UK but chose to set your book in the States was there a reason for that?
I think setting a novel far from home is more of a challenge, but also it seemed more exotic. My second novel, From the Sky, is set in California, but there’s a very good reason for it this time, and you’ll find out when it is released and you (hopefully) read it!
5) I know you put a lot of research into your novel including bus routes, journey times etc what was the most difficult bit of information to track down?
To be honest, none of the information is difficult to track down. We are the luckiest generation of writers yet, with the advent of the Internet making our life so much easier. We can go to places online that we’d never go to in real life – even other planets! It is harder nowadays to narrow the amount of sources for research from the vast amount out there. I love Youtube for letting me quickly research an actual place and be there, without leaving the comfort of my desk and flying for ten hours to get there!
6) Were you tempted at any point to stay with the more conventional thriller route and keep your killer human?
Paula! You’re giving spoilers away! I think Shimasou being Shimasou makes the novel much more interesting than if it had been a plain old boring human killer, but I don’t want to say too much as I’d prefer people to find out the novel’s secrets as they read it rather than me telling them!
7) The ‘hunter’ is of ancient origin which seems to leave space for whole series of back stories there have you considered this?
I hadn’t ever really thought about it to be honest. It was such hard work getting The Hunter Inside finished. Now I’m 36,500 words into writing my second novel, From the Sky. It is a very different project. You can read a sample on my website – http://davidmcgowanauthor.com/from-the-sky-exclusive-preview/
8) At the end of the novel there is quite a profound statement about why the world needs evil does this reflect your thoughts on the subject?
The news is full of evil day in and day out. Without evil we would not be able to define its opposite as we would have nothing to measure it by. A world without evil would be fabulous, but it’s such a hard place to imagine. Maybe on another planet. There’s a novel in there somewhere!
9) The Hunter Inside was self-published and it would appear from your blog you are considering the same route for your next book. Does this mean you have chosen not to try the traditional agent/publisher route?
As I said earlier, we are the luckiest generation of writers yet. We now have the option of self-publishing, but not like it was years ago when you had to pay for hundreds of copies and then hawk your wares anywhere you could think of. We have so many platforms available to us online that the power is shifting into the authors hands. We also get much better royalties this way too, which isn’t the be all and end all obviously, but it helps. It’s hard work, don’t get me wrong, but the rewards are so much more to reap. Every sale is a sale you earned from your hard work. Every good review is about you totally, not publishers or editors. It’s so rewarding!
10) What one piece of advice would you give to someone sitting down to start their first novel?
Research, outline a rough plot for the first part of the book, and have at least an hour in your day for writing. Routine breeds confidence and confidence in turn enables you to plough through the tough parts of writing. Remember you’re always learning, and also remember when you think your writing is no good that there is someone out there who wants to read what you are writing. That’s what it’s all about – getting your work to your readers, and there’s no better feeling than seeing a positive review go live or getting a tweet or an email, or even a ‘Like’ on your Facebook page. Most importantly, never give up. Never ever ever give up. Because in ten years time you’ll come back to it and you’ll think ‘I could have done this ten years ago’. Do it, you will never regret it.
I would just like to thank David for giving up his time to answer my questions and recommend that anyone who is not already following him pop over and take a look at his site
🙂
Paula Acton 