Interview with Suffolk Libraries

On 11th March 2022, I chatted with Lisa Brennan, a librarian from Suffolk Libraries, about my writing and my books. Watch the full interview here.

INTERVIEW: Peter Gibbons, author of the Viking Blood and Blade Saga

In the last year I've seen a new writer surge onto the action and adventure historical fiction scene, like a dragon-prowed longship cresting a wave on the Whale Road! Peter Gibbons published his first novel, Viking Blood and Blade in September 2021 and now, only six months later, he has just published the third in the series, Axes for Valhalla.

So, who is this new kid on the block (or Viking in the wic)? To find out, I invited him onto the blog to answer my questions.

First tell us about your latest novel, Axes for Valhalla.

Axes for Valhalla is the third book in the Viking Blood and Blade Saga. It's much more brutal than the first two books in the series, in that Hundr and his crew are faced by a merciless and implacable enemy. The scale of the book is also greater than the first two instalments, it’s set across Frankia and Ireland and is set seven years after The Wrath of Ivar, which was the second book in the series. A haunting voice from his past comes to Hundr seeking help, in what becomes his most dangerous adventure yet. A big part of the book is also set in Viking Age Dublin, which is very personal to me, having lived in Ireland for many years now.

How many books have you got planned for the Viking Blood and Blade Saga (great title, by the way!)?

I don't really have a firm number of books planned for the series, I'll see where the story takes Hundr and his crew. So far, they have survived the Great Heathen Army’s invasion of Saxon Britain, and met iconic Viking figures like Ivar the Boneless, Bjorn Ironside, and Haesten. That particular period of the Viking age was filled with war, as the Norse made their mark not only in Britain, but east in what is now Russia, and south past Spain as far as Constantinople. So there are lots of adventures for the characters to seek out yet, but they are dropping like flies at the moment, so hopefully they survive to experience the rest of that exciting world…

Where did you get the inspiration for the series?

I have always been inspired by the Viking Age, from being a kid watching the Vikings movie with Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis (although it’s not very historically accurate!), to reading Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Series. Also, I have lived in Dublin and Kildare in Ireland for the last 15 years, and Viking Age Dublin is still very tangible in the city. I travelled to Copenhagen to see the Viking Museum there, and the Viking Ship Museum just outside the city is amazing. The largest Viking Age warship in the museum was actually built in Glendalough in Ireland. That visit was really the catalyst to write the books, the history there is almost palpable.

Have you always wanted to write?

Yes, always. I am a ferocious reader of Historical Fiction, Fantasy, and Historical non-fiction books. Since I was a kid I have made up stories, but never had the courage to finish them off and show them to the world. It’s a strange thing to bring your passion to the notice of others, and have them read it. There is an element of fear and vulnerability in that process, but also exhilaration and validation to see that people enjoy what you have crafted.

What has been the biggest surprise for you since starting to write?

When I published Viking Blood and Blade, it was the fulfilment of an ambition to write, so to see that people actually liked the books was amazing, and humbling. But the biggest surprise is the engagement I have seen, particularly with readers. The reviews people leave are great, but it's amazing when someone has read and enjoyed one of the books, and takes the time to send an email or a social media message. It really makes all the hard work worthwhile, and is a great motivator.

One of the most popular pieces of writing advice is “write what you know” – what do you think about that?

I think that's OK in terms of how characters interact and human nature, which we all experience every day. But, what I love to read are books that take me into a different world, whether it's the Viking Age, the Roman Age, Ancient Sparta, or Middle Earth. So, my real enjoyment in writing is in creating a world and exploring it. I don't think anyone alive today knows the fear and brutality of the shield wall, or how it feels to trade blows with a heavily armed enemy who is a foot away from you swinging an axe at your head! Where “write what you know” applies I think, is in the human stories, or the relationships which take place in our fictional worlds.

Your output is impressive (three novels in six months!). What is your writing process?

I write very early every morning, and stick to a word count target. I also plan my novels and try to be as efficient with my time as possible. I spend a lot of time planning the story before I actually begin to write it, which then makes the process quite smooth.

What writer or book has had the biggest influence on your work?

It's hard to pin down one writer or book. As a kid I loved Tolkien, and would read Lord of the Rings once a year for many years. Obviously Bernard Cornwell is the pinnacle of adventure Historical Fiction, and I love the Sharpe series, and the Uhtred books. I do remember being blown away as a teenager reading Arrian’s The Campaigns of Alexander, the detail and descriptions made me feel as though I was actually in those battles and on that campaign.

What advice have you got for aspiring writers?

Just do it. You will never know if you can write unless you try. Self publishing is such a gift for new writers. At worst, you can fulfil your ambition and publish a book that nobody reads, but at best you could find that people actually enjoy your work, and seeing your story unfold on the page before you is an amazing experience.

What is the best book you've read in the last twelve months?

Obviously anything by Matthew Harffy…(Ha! Of course!) but Steven Pressfield’s A Man at Arms was good, and Joe Abercrombie’s latest was a good end to that series. I’m reading the first Mistborn book by Brandon Sanderson at the moment, and the way he creates his fantasy worlds and magic systems is brilliant.

What is the most exciting experience you've had as a result of writing?

Actually just experiencing that people have read and enjoyed what I have written. As a new author, I had all the fears and doubts that everybody does, and to see people not only buying, but enjoying my work is a thrill.

What plans have you got for the future?

To keep writing, and bringing new characters and adventures to life!

And now for the quick-fire questions:

Tea or coffee?

Tea, two sugars, lots of milk. I drink too much tea, but it’s the answer to all life’s problems… 

Burger or hot dog?

Burger. I have an issue, in that whenever I visit a well known fast food outlet, I cannot purchase a burger without also buying a cheeseburger to go with it.

Villain or hero?

Villain (not sure what that says about me as a person!)

Beer or wine?

Beer, or more specifically, lager.

Movie or TV series?

Movie

Happy ending or tragedy?

Tragedy

In the car, audio-book or music?

Audiobook

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Thanks for inviting me to complete this interview Matthew, also thanks for your support. Hopefully we can bring new readers to each other into the future.

Connect with Peter:

Website: https://petermgibbons.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petergibbonsauthor

Amazon page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B093WPM877 

INTERVIEW: Alistair Tosh, author of Edge of Empire: Siege

Today it is my great pleasure to welcome debut novelist, Alistair Tosh, onto the blog. His first novel is Siege, the first in the Edge of Empire series. It is a gripping action adventure story set in the tumultuous Roman Britain of the second century AD. I've been lucky enough to read it and I'm sure we will be seeing a lot more of Alistair in the future.

 First tell us about your debut novel, Edge of Empire: Siege.

Siege is an historical adventure set in the wilds of second century northern Britannia. At its heart is the relationship that develops between two men. Lucius Faenius Felix, an inexperienced Roman Tribune, of the patrician class, given command of the First Nervana, an auxiliary cohort. The other is a grizzled, veteran cavalry Prefect and warrior of the Germanic Nervii tribe. Their story will take them through bloody, terror filled battles against the tribes of the north. Lucius’s ordeals will ultimately transform him from callow youth to a battle-hardened war leader with dreams of recovering his lost family lands. Cai, feeling his mortality as his time with the Nervana nears its ending, seeks the love of the beautiful and strong-willed Alyn, widow of his childhood friend. But, as the fearsome Novantae tribe and their allies sweep across the land once more, threatening the province, both men must stand their ground in a final desperate battle that will mean victory for the Nervana or its destruction.

How many books have you got planned for the Edge of Empire series?

So far, there are three planned. The second is well underway and will be published later in 2022. However I have outlined sketches in my mind to take the story on beyond that. Possibly jumping to the next generation of characters who are currently children in the story. But I have also found to my surprise that characters often take on a life of their own and may drive the way events develop. It’s great fun.

Where did you get the inspiration for the series? 

I’ve had bits of the story in my head for years. As a lad growing up in Dumfriesshire I regularly visited Burnswark Iron Age hillfort on my bike. I saw the remains of the two Roman siege forts and the grass-covered mounds of the ballista platforms, called the Three Brethren locally. I wondered what it must have been like for the defenders in what must surely have been a brutal, terror filled, siege. But it was my research into the likely events at Burnswark, and the political backdrop to it, that really highlighted where the story was. 

What was the biggest surprise for you while writing Siege?

I originally envisioned that the battle for Burnswark, the Novantae’s sacred hill in the book, would be the climax to the story. But as I was writing events and characters took on a life of their own and I went in a different direction. Burnswark is now concluded in the book's first act. Weird eh? But, I feel the final battle is even more tense and bloody as a result.

One of the most popular pieces of writing advice is “write what you know” – what do you think about that?

I think I would rather say, write what you want to read. I enjoy reading a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction. But ultimately my true love is in the Roman and early middle ages historical fiction subgenres. I may, one day, write stories outside of these but it is where I am getting most enjoyment at the moment. Hopefully that shows in my writing.

What writer or book has had the biggest influence on your work?

That’s a difficult one. I think I have always been drawn to stories with some kind of journey or adventure at their heart. As a lad I didn’t read much other than comic books. But when I joined the Navy there were often long periods of boredom, particularly during night watches at sea. I remember clearly a mate giving me a dog eared copy of The Hobbit during one such watch. I read it cover to cover in no time. So Tolkien was definitely a formative influence. Looking at my own genre, probably someone like Anthony Riches has influenced me to a fair degree. He is the first writer I can remember able to articulate the language of the military and in particular the shorthand banter between comrades. 

This is your first book. Congratulations! I know how much work goes into getting published. What advice have you got for aspiring writers?

Invest in your writing. Do the creative writing courses. Attend writing conventions and speak with other writers. You may think you can write, and you probably can, but by the gods you can develop considerably as a writer in even a short period of time.

What is the best book you've read in the last twelve months?

I recently reread Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff for the umpteenth time, it never gets old. I think the best new book I’ve read is Better Off Dead by Lee Child and Andrew Child, his latest Jack Reacher story. Sometimes you just want to see the baddies have their legs broken before they are brutally killed. 

What is the most exciting experience you've had as a result of writing?

Seeing my new book cover for the first time. It’s a simple but dramatic image that really encapsulates the sense of tension that fills much of the story. I was really blown away by it. 

How far are you into writing the sequel of Siege? What plans have you got after that?

I’m about a quarter of the way through the first draft of book 2. I hope to have it ready for my editor by early summer. I plan to take a short break after that as we are about to move house and we’ve got a couple of holidays booked in Spain and Portugal that will also enable me to do some final research for book 3. Is that a spoiler?

And now for the quick-fire questions:

Tea or coffee?

Coffee all day long

Burger or hot dog?

Burger

Villain or hero?

Hero. Of course.

Beer or wine?

Beer

Movie or TV series?

Movie

Happy ending or tragedy?

Tragedy

In the car, audio-book or music?

Music

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Best of luck with the book and your future writing!

Thanks, Matthew, for inviting me onto your blog and giving me the chance to talk about my debut novel.

Connect with Alistair: 

https://www.facebook.com/alistair.tosh.10

https://twitter.com/alistair_tosh

Buy Siege:

www.amazon.com/dp/B09SLWHP8T

http://Amazon.co.uk/dp/B09SLWHP8T

Interview with archaeologist and runner, Craig Huddart

Craig Huddart talks to me about my latest book, my writing and we discuss Craig's crazy charity running challenge - running 4225km in 2022 to raise funds for two amazing charities, the

@NEAutismSociety

and the

@AlanShearerFndn

.

Interview with Prue Batten on the release of her new novel, Reliquary

Over the years I have interviewed Tasmanian author, Prue Batten, she has written guest blog posts for me, and I have reviewed some of her novels, such as Tobias. It is safe to say I am a fan, so it should be no surprise that when I heard that her latest medieval novel, Reliquary, had been published, I jumped at the chance to invite her once again to my humble blog.

Welcome back, Prue. First thing's first, please tell us about your latest book, Reliquary.

An elevator pitch perhaps? 

1196 France

A small Benedictine convent

The world’s most desired and sanctified relic

The Knights Templar want it

A nun and a crusader have it

Lives lost

Faith tested

Revenge exacted

Where did you get the inspiration for the Peregrinus Trilogy?

My books are usually inspired in some way by a nugget from research for previous novels. In the Peregrinus Series, there is a pattern – people making pilgrimages, visiting relics, finding hope or redemption, some even finding damnation.

Relics were perceived as a ticket to Heaven for many in the Middle Ages and as I researched, it became inevitable that the merchant house of Gisborne ben Simon would trade in relics, a seriously cut-throat business. The Peregrinus (Latin for traveller or pilgrim) Series was born.

How does the trilogy fit in with your other books? Are they related or linked?

They are all linked by the 12th century trading house of Gisborne ben Simon which is featured in all of my backlist. Those who work for the house are an eclectic bunch of strong personalities with vivid backgrounds. Each story is a standalone, held in its place by the fact that the characters are all comrades-in-arms and this camaraderie is like a web, binding them to each other. There is very little that is light-hearted in the novels, because trade in the Middle Ages (and at any other time) was venal, and murder frequent. The old adage of First Come, First Served, could have been a 12th century mantra for a successful mercantile endeavour.

In the case of Reliquary, Christendom’s greatest relic is the centrepiece of the novel.

In Oak Gall and Gold, an illuminator monk is the ‘peregrinus’ and a lost manuscript the focus.

As for the unknown, untitled Book Three, who knows?

What was the biggest surprise for you while writing Reliquary?

That a Bride of Christ might kill to save herself.

Like all of your books, Reliquary is set on the other side of the world to where you live. I have recently moved some of my novels out of Britain and taken the characters to mainland Europe. Due to COVID, it has been impossible to travel to those places, and I yearn to be able to visit the places I have written about. How do you research the locations so far from where you live?

As I have mentioned to you before, I would have to be a millionaire to travel repeatedly (9 books) from far-removed Tasmania to the settings for my stories. However, I have travelled through Europe and the UK and filled journals with sensory detail. 

That travelling was prompted by my lecturer in medieval studies when I did my degree many years ago. He had a way of talking about the philosophical side of the Middle Ages that was electrifying for me.

In addition, I’ve been very fortunate over the years in England, Istanbul, France and now Germany, to have very qualified friends who are happy to research on my behalf, even a friend who ran a charter yacht service through the Med and Adriatic and so his watery observations of winds, tides and coastlines have been perfect.

But I also think we authors today are extremely lucky to have the web. There is NOTHING one can’t find via Google Maps, YouTube, forums and the many published research papers in various fields. 

I have been fortunate with Reliquary. Whilst my much-respected friend and researcher in France passed away last year (he is responsible for finding the little convent of Esteil in Reliquary as well as massive input into a large proportion of my backlist. I miss our repartee and academic connection), I have videos, notes, stills and experiences filed away. 

I would like to note that the reality of the settings of my novels has never been questioned and it’s humbling to receive many plaudits similar to the ones below: 

‘writes in 3D and surround sound…’

‘…vivid and believable…’

‘…an intricate tale highlighted by the details of that vast city and the life within it.’

‘The mixture of cultures in the eastern Mediterranean of the period was… realistic and handled with superb understatement.’

‘You feel you are in the cities that were described.’ 

Travel for authors may never ever be what it was. Pandemics make sure of that. I live on a healthy island which is part of an island continent and so the nation was able to ‘control’ the ingress of a certain amount of the pandemic. In addition, my own state government will always put the people’s safety ahead of everything, so I can’t guarantee 100% freedom to travel and get home – even into the future. With that in mind, I think Covid has given writers the chance to work in a different way and to build settings with unique effort and creativity rather than just showing and telling. 

But to be honest, I don’t stress about the ‘need’ to travel. I just read and write.

If I had to choose one location that I have never visited and which is written about solely from the research and five senses of my researchers, it is 12th century Constantinople, of which, sadly, there is very little left thanks to the Fourth Crusade and the Ottoman Invasion.

If I was able to choose others? The outer Scottish Isles, Scandinavia and Lindisfarne.

I interviewed you several years ago. What has changed for you as a writer since then? What is better? What is worse?

Firstly, the flooding of the indie marketplace with vast amounts of appalling writing which has damped down the reputation of so many good writers.

Secondly, Time is not on my side. I’m now seventy and have a 3 year old grandson and many things I want to accomplish. That means writing must take its place, whereas before, I did nothing much but…

I’m fortunate that I can write with little to no pressure. My portfolio is increased at my own speed and with the kind support of my readers. I live my writing life without expectation and with the desire to publish for those readers to the best of my abilities.

What has had the biggest influence on your work in the last five years?

I think I write better because life’s experiences, good and bad, continue to make a very deep mark. It’s something age delivers – a kind of soul-deep wisdom which younger folk may not yet have experienced. I think I write even more emotively. If I didn’t, I would be disappointed. And I think by writing at my own pace, I have the opportunity to hone the craft to better and better heights.

What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

Words and language – they are the most perfect things in the world. I saw the word ‘ethereal’ the other day and I took it, held it in my palm for just a moment and thought ‘What a beautiful word.’ Sometimes it can be that simple.

What is the best book you've read in the last twelve months?

Amor Towles' A Gentleman in Moscow. Such beautifully parsed, elegant writing and an engaging saga.

What is next for you? The sequel to Reliquary? What plans after that?

Yes, Book Two, Oak Gall and Gold (working title) is a third of the way and I am guessing that at some point, a nugget will drop in my lap from the current research which will provide Book Three. I don’t stress about it. What will be will be.

After that? There’s a fantasy of nearly 40,000 words waiting to be finished and a colonial history novel waiting to be started and… 

But therein lies a whisper of that word – ‘Time’. ‘Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have and only you can determine how it will be spent.’ Carl Sandberg.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Thank you, Matthew.

Connect with Prue:

https://www.pruebatten.com

www.facebook.com/Prue.Batten.writer

www.pinterest.dk/pruebatten

www.instagram.com/pruebatten/

Interview with C. F. Barrington

Today it is my great pleasure to welcome C.F. Barrington to the blog. Barrington's first novel, The Wolf Mile was published earlier in the year and I loved it. Read my mini review here. It was the first exciting outing into what is set to an epic series of novels about The Pantheon, an underground game that sees sword-wielding warriors clash on the streets of modern-day cities all over the world. Book two of the series, The Blood Isles, is out now, so it seemed like the perfect time to invite C.F. Barrington in for a chat.

C.F. Barrington has worked in organisations as varied as the RSPB, Oxford University and the National Trust. When his role as Head of Communications at Edinburgh Zoo meant a third year of fielding endless media enquiries about the possible birth of a baby panda, he finally retreated to a quiet desk beside the sea and discovered the inspiration for the Pantheon saga. 

Raised in Hertfordshire and educated at Oxford, he now divides his time between running over the hills of the Lake District and dog walking on the beaches of Fife.

Please tell us about your Pantheon series.

The Pantheon series charts the rise of Tyler Maitland and Lana Cameron as they are plucked from their normal lives to become players in The Pantheon, an underground game bankrolled by the world’s wealthy elite and watched online by thousands. Warriors from seven ancient civilisations are trained, sworn to allegiance, then pitted against each other in battles across five major cities while being filmed in real time. 

The first installment – The Wolf Mile – sees the protagonists recruited into the Viking Valhalla Horde and their battles amongst the claustrophobic alleys of Edinburgh. The series is a modern thriller, but it mixes elements of historical fiction, as well as a sweeping romance, which takes the protagonists from friends, to sworn enemies and finally to lovers.

What inspired you to base The Wolf Mile in Edinburgh?

The story is first and foremost inspired by a sense of place. Apart from a sojourn into the forests of the Highlands, the book’s action all takes place in the closes, tunnels and rooftops which flow from the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Indeed, it was Edinburgh’s Old Town which really allowed the story to manifest. The dark, malevolent history of the Old Town and its stunning architecture and rumours of tunnels and secret passages, set my mind ticking. I am sure that the whole concept of The Pantheon could not have come together if it had not been for my life in and around Edinburgh.

The story was also prompted by two other factors: Firstly, I had always wanted to take my love of historical fiction and coax it into a modern thriller – without going down the well-trodden route of some sort of time-travel. Secondly, after a career spent in major gift fundraising for charities and universities, I had communicated with many very wealthy individuals and I got to wondering what makes someone excited when they can buy everything? As the book asks….. Imagine riches beyond your wildest dreams. What would you do with them? Travel the world? Buy a yacht? Now times it by ten.  A hundred. We’re talking mega-wealth - the kind that buys governments, shapes economies, enervates security forces and makes a mockery of justice systems. NOW what would you do with it? Less certain?

In ancient times, the wealthy of Rome spent their money and energies on forsaking human life in the gladiatorial stadia – and that’s where the concept of The Pantheon grew from in my head.

Please tell us a bit about book two, The Blood Isles.

While The Wolf Mile focuses on the recruitment of the main characters and the challenges thrown at them in the first of the Pantheon’s annual seasons – the Raiding Season, The Blood Isles takes them on to the Blood Season – where the risks become far greater and the action culminates in a full Grand Battle between the Valhalla Vikings and the Titans. As the name suggests, the story shifts from the tight spaces of Old Edinburgh to the bleak expanses of the Outer Hebrides, somewhere lonely enough for two Palatinates to face-off in the ultimate blood struggle.

How many novels are there going to be in the series? Where are they heading next?

There are five books in the Pantheon series, with The Blood Isles launching in October 2021 and Book 3 (The Hastening Storm) coming in spring 2022.

As the series progresses and the characters advance through the ranks, the story opens out to Rome, Budapest, Beijing and Istanbul as each of the rival warrior teams must be faced. 

There are clearly many references to the past and mythology in the Pantheon Series of books. Have you considered writing historical fiction or high fantasy?

I’ve often considered writing historical fiction. I’m addicted to reading the genre and love authors such as Bernard Cornwell, Wilbur Smith, Giles Kristian and Mr Matthew Harffy himself! (MH: Well, what was he going to say?) I did write a book set during the Third Crusade – Led By A Lion – when I was in my teens and I had lots of encouraging letters from publishers, but my writing needed the benefit of a few more years to mature!

I’m less into fantasy, apart from classics such as Lord of the Rings, and it’s been somewhat strange to find The Wolf Mile classified as Sci Fi in Waterstones stores! I guess it’s because the events in The Pantheon could never really happen in real life without them being closed down by the security forces, but I’ve never viewed the story as fantasy or sci-fi and there are certainly no dragons or elves or magic!

What do you love (and hate?) about having set the books in the 21st century? 

I love the mix of history and modernity in the series. When the characters are fully ensconced in their roles within the Valhalla Palatinate, they could be part of a genuine historic Viking horde. But then the story shifts and they are traipsing the modern streets of Edinburgh or sharing coffees in Jenner’s department store! I really enjoyed being able to bring the buzz and vibe of today’s city into my descriptions.

Another aspect I love about the 21st century setting is that if my ancient warrior teams have any historical inaccuracies I can get away with them because this is a modern game re-interpreting historical cultures!

The worst thing about the modern setting is that I’ve had to find plausible reasons why blood battles on the streets of Edinburgh do not bring with them headlines, online notoriety and clampdowns by government and multiple arrests! You’ll have to read The Wolf Mile to discover how I achieved this.

What are you working on at the moment? Have you got plans beyond the Pantheon Series?

I’m currently editing Book 3 – The Hastening Storm – and planning the story arc for Book 4. The series is such a twisting, turning adventure with a large cast of characters and a tale which expands geographically, so I’m finding it a complex task to pace and plan the action and to ensure all the loose ends tie up between books!

When did you start writing? Do you write full-time now? What made you take the plunge and write your first book?

I’ve always aspired to be an author – but my actual attempts to make this a reality have been few and far between. I wrote a full-length novel when I was fifteen, set amidst the 3rd Crusade, and I had some encouraging feedback from publishers. Nevertheless, it took me another fifteen years before I wrote my next one, Crestfallen, a thriller set in the Lake District. I was lucky enough to obtain a well-known London agent, but no publishing offer was forthcoming. It’s then taken me another fifteen years to get around to writing The Wolf Mile. 

I currently work three days a week and try to focus on my writing for another three – with a day off to keep the family happy!

What are the best and worst things about being a writer?

Now that my first book is published, the best thing about being a writer is knowing that there are actually real people out there who are enjoying reading my work! It is utterly amazing to be able to spend time dreaming up stories and then see them professionally packaged so that people – strangers(!) – can immerse themselves in the world I’ve created. I count myself as unbelievably privileged to be in this position.

For me, the worst thing is forcing myself to focus and get the words down. I’m easily distracted by social media and daytime tv! Each morning, faced with a blank screen, it’s so hard to get into the zone. It feels like being a student again and having to write an essay from scratch every single day – and that’s got to be everyone’s worst nightmare!!

What is the best book you've read in the last twelve months?

I adored Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts for the sheer, utter beauty of the language. And I’m currently blown away by Into The Silence by Wade Davis, chronicling the early attempts to map and conquer Everest. 

And now for the quick-fire questions:

Tea or coffee?

Tea every time. Proper loose leaf, in a pot with a strainer and warmed milk! Not quite the whole Japanese experience, but nearly!

Burger or hot dog?

Burger if I have to – but not that keen on either. I prefer a curry.

Villain or hero?

It’s got the be the villain. You always want to understand why they’re so bad.

Beer or wine?

Tough one. Probably wine. A glass of Merlot after dinner. But I spend a lot of time in the Lake District and there are some damn good Cumbrian ales.

Movie or TV series?

TV series. If they are good – and I’m often a fan of foreign series – there is so much more opportunity to explore the characters.

Happy ending or tragedy?

I must admit I’m partial to a tragedy. Leave the readers/viewers in tears – though maybe with some light amongst the clouds.

In the car, audio-book or music?

Music. When I’m writing I have only instrumental scores playing, but in the car it’s going to be songs. I like many styles – but according to my partner, they’re all crap!

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Connect with C.F. Barrington

Website: www.cfbarrington.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BarringtonCFAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/barrington_cf

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfbarrington_notwriting/

Interview on The Reading and Writing Podcast

I have listened to The Reading and Writing Podcast for years, so it is extremely exciting and gratifying for me to be interviewed by Jeff Rutherford about A Time for Swords on his great podcast that has featured some of my favourite writers in the past.

Listen here: http://readingandwritingpodcast.com/matthew-harffy-interview/

Interview with Gregory (Greg) Stewart

It has been quite a while since I have posted any author interviews, so I thought it was about time that I resurrected the format. It is with great pleasure that I welcome to the blog, author, screenwriter, playwright and fellow producer on The Serpent Sword TV series, Gregory (Greg) Stewart.

You have written screenplays, plays and novels. Which do you consider your true calling, or do you just think writing is writing? What do you most like and dislike about each art form?

I started out thinking I would write novels only. That was my childhood ambition. And yet I had a late start after spending most of my twenties going in a different direction and trying to get into the music biz. Around the time I finished my first novel (which wasn’t any good), a friend came to me with an idea for a film. I love film and thought why not try that too. So, while I was writing my first novels – essentially learning how to write fiction properly – I was also writing screenplays and learning how to do that as well. Writing for TV was a natural progression from film. I only wrote my first play last year, so that’s been more of a recent challenge. So yes, for me it’s all became part of one calling, to write. But fiction and film/TV are quite different disciplines and even though they share some common ground, I always saw them as separate ambitions.

In terms of what I like and dislike – for fiction, my favourite part is planning the story then later seeing or feeling the characters come to life as you work through the draft. The writing part can be the hardest, because of the time it takes and there’s always going to be a point where you feel lost, or that it’s not working. When you have a first draft there’s a certain euphoria, and as you read it it's fantastic to find the parts that come together, but also disheartening when other parts don’t work to the extent that there are going to be big rewrites. For screenwriting, the story part is trickier, because there are so many more limits, but once the story is locked in, the process is faster, and I don’t dislike any part of it. After writing fiction, screenwriting often seems like a bit of a break. My favourite part of screenwriting is the dialogue. I love trying to find the most interesting and effective words for the characters to deliver.

Your newest novel is called Astatara. Please tell us a bit about it.

Astatara has a classic fantasy set-up - two teenage children fall into a mysterious orb of light and find themselves trapped in an unknown and hostile world. Gradually they discover a strange culture with a terrifying prophecy and some very nasty villains. Yet as they work through this, trying to understand where they are and how they might get back home, the story also follows a man who in our world, is trying to unravel the mystery of the orb. This journey becomes a terrible obsession for him with dreadful consequences for lots of people around him. Eventually, the two stories connect, and the mystery of the orb is finally revealed. On the one hand it’s hopefully an exciting and gripping fantasy adventure – I had in mind a lot of Victorian era adventure stories by writers, such as Jules Verne or Conan Doyle – but on the other hand it’s also a darker story about obsession, rivalry, Communist Russia, familial disintegration and reunion. The scope of it is quite ambitious! Whether, I’ve completely succeeded or not, I don’t know.

How many novels are there going to be in each of your series?

Astatara is a standalone book. Wolf Head and its sequel, The Strange Case of Sarah Wynter are part of the Trasis series. A novella, FerrisWheel is also part of that series as a side story. I have outlines that take me up to book six and expect there’ll be a seventh after that. I have another series on the starting blocks – The Devil’s Fairytale – which will be five books. Most of that series is already written and I’m planning to publish the first two of those books later this year.

Your novels don’t seem to conform to genres. Is that a conscious decision?

Everything needs a label! Yes, its tricky for me to write in clear cut genres. It’s definitely all speculative fiction – fantasy, horror, sci fi – but there’s often some crime element to it as well. And I love exploring history so if I can coincide the story with some past event that’s always an attraction. If labels are needed – and I know they are – then I would say both the Trasis and the Devil’s Fairytale series are fantasy horror. Astatara is sci fi fantasy. Red Bunker – my giveaway novella for subscribers – is sci fi horror.

What are you working on at the moment?

The Strange Case of Sarah Wynter is due to be published on 5^th March, so I’m doing final edits on that. Then obviously, there’s all the work ongoing for The Serpent Sword adaptation too and hopefully we’ll be pitching that to some power players soon. I’ve got another TV project that I’m in the process of finding somebody to partner up with, and a film project that I’m working on with an actor and producer which we’re hoping to get some development funding for. Soon I’ll have to start planning the first Devil’s Fairytale release and perhaps start work on the next Trasis novel – which is going to be called The Vampire States of America.

What are your ambitions for your writing? What would signify success for you?

The self-publishing is only just getting off the ground. I’ve had some success with Wolf Head which has gone down well with readers, which is very encouraging. But I need to build on that now. Try to get my head above that parapet. There are so many writers out there and it’s a longer game that I’ll have to keep working on. Ideally, I’d like to get picked up by a publisher.

For the film and TV work, it would be getting something on screen. I’ve had some false starts – a feature film I wrote in 2017 is stuck in the final stages of post-production due to money problems and another feature I was commissioned to write in 2018 was cancelled just a few weeks before filming. That’s quite hard to take when you put a lot into something that should have significantly raised your profile. But it’s not uncommon in the industry, so I can only hope I’ve paid my dues and that The Serpent Sword will be the one to get out of the gate.

What writers, books and movies have had the biggest influence on your work?

Growing up it was a lot of fantasy. Tolkien, CS Lewis, The Belgariad by David Eddings, the Dragonlance books, Gemmell, Moorcock – particularly Elric. Later, Stephen King became quite an influence, particularly The Stand. Also, Tad Williams' Otherland series had a huge impact. It’s such a great mash-up of sci-fi, fantasy, crime etc. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was also a key book for me, and Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. The scope and power of that story is astonishing. Later again it was Paul Auster, Cormac McCarthy – The Road particularly I think is one of the best novels ever written – and James Ellroy. More recently I’ve become obsessed with William Trevor. I think his books are perfect.

With films, I’ve seen so many that it’s difficult to separate the influences from the escapism. In terms of early film experiences that jolted me, it was the original Star Wars trilogy, Jaws and Alien. Beyond that it’s an eclectic mix. I always loved the Hammer horror films and lots of Hitchcock, Rear Window particularly. American Werewolf. The Good the Bad and the Ugly. And perhaps less obviously, Olivier’s Richard III. But I suppose if there was one that changed the way I looked at film it was Taxi Driver. I think I was 21 when I saw it on VHS on a small TV in my bedroom, but it was such an intense experience and it made me aware of screenwriting and directing and acting combining to create this art form in a way that I’d never grasped before.

What are the best and worst things about being a writer?

The creative side is all good, really. Storytelling is so much fun and then having people enjoy and appreciate what you do is unbeatable. The worst part is how difficult it is to break through.

What is the best book you've read in the last twelve months?

Probably a tie between William Trevor’s Fools of Fortune and The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. As I said before, I think William Trevor’s books are flawless. Fools of Fortune is a about a family caught up in the Irish war of independence and tells how that affects them and how they come to terms with it in later years. Hill House was a book which I felt I’d read before because it’s been adapted for the screen so many times, but I hadn’t, and it’s a great psychological horror. Jackson really gets into the splintering mindset of the lead character. Such elegant and effective writing. I’ll definitely be reading more of her books.

What is the best film or TV you've seen in the last twelve months?

In between lockdowns I managed to go and see Mank at a local cinema, which I thought was great. I love that kind of filmmaking, such precision, detail and nuance. On TV I’ve started watching Steve McQueen’s Small Axe film series and thought ‘Education’ was terrific. Also, I love Better Call Saul and that most recent series was electric. I also very much enjoyed the second season of the Mandolorian.

And now for the quick-fire questions:

Tea or coffee?

Herbal tea or water please.

Burger or hot dog?

Pizza.

Villain or hero?

Every good story needs both.

Beer or wine?

Wine at home. Beer when out.

Movie or TV series?

Movie usually.

Happy ending or tragedy?

I seem to write happy endings for my novels and tragic ones for my screenplays.

In the car, audio book or music?

Audio book. Currently listening to The Lord of the Rings.

Thanks so much for answering my questions, Greg. Good luck with all the projects (especially The Serpent Sword!). ;-)

Connect with Greg at:

Website: www.wartwriter.com/books

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GregoryStewartWriter

Twitter: www.twitter.com/wartwriter

Author of the Day on Manybooks.net

I was recently featured as Author of the Day on manybooks.net. I talked about the inspiration behind Wolf of Wessex, research, my not-so-secret talents, The Serpent Sword TV series project, and my dog, Blue.

Matthew Harffy - Action-Packed Thriller Set in the Forests of Wessex

Please give us a short introduction to what Wolf of Wessex is about.

Wolf of Wessex, is my first departure from the seventh century, which is the period in which my series, The Bernicia Chronicles, is set. Wolf of Wessex takes place a couple of centuries later in the early years of the Viking Age and follows the tale of an aging warrior, Dunston, as he tries to find a man’s vicious murderers, keep the victim’s orphaned daughter alive and uncover the dark secret that threatens to plunge the kingdom into war. The book has been very well received, with The Times calling it “a treat of a book”.

What inspired you to write about the forests of Wessex AD 838?

I love the outdoors and have been interested for a long time in survival and bushcraft, such as is taught by the likes of Ray Mears, who has presented many successful documentaries and written lots of fabulous books on the subject of how people from different cultures live as one with the land, harmoniously harnessing nature to support them. I live in Wiltshire, England, which in the ninth century was part of Wessex, and near my house is one of the remaining parts of the ancient woodland that was known as Selwudu (Selwood, or Sallow Wood). Walking among the trees there, I found my mind transported back to a time when much of the land was covered in woodland, and I began to think what it would have been like to live alone deep in the forest away from the noise and concerns of the world. And so, Dunston was born.

Read the full interview on Manybooks.net

The King’s Furies Blog Tour

Today on the blog I have the great pleasure to welcome author Stephanie Churchill. Stephanie has been a long-time fan of the Bernicia Chronicles and it is always a joy to read her review of each book. Her reviews are long, thoughtful and insightful in ways that make me wonder if she doesn't know more about my books and characters than I do myself!

Like me, Stephanie is also writing a series of novels (Crowns of Destiny), which started back in 2015 with The Scribe's Daughter.

Stephanie’s writing draws on her knowledge of history even while set in purely fictional places existing only in her imagination. Filled with action and romance, loyalty and betrayal, her writing relies on deeply drawn and complex characters, exploring the subtleties of imperfect people living in a gritty, sometimes dark world. Her unique blend of historical fiction and fantasy ensures that her books are sure to please fans of historical fiction and epic fantasy literature alike.

The Scribe's Daughter was followed by The King's Daughter.

The third novel in the series, The King's Furies, is out on 30th July.

MH: Welcome to my blog, Stephanie. Before we start the interview, something to drink?

SC: I’d love a nice craft beer, thanks. What do you have on tap?

MH: I don't have any craft beer on tap, but how about a pint of Wadworth Game of Stones? It is brewed just down the road in Devizes and I think you'll approve.



SC: Thanks, that sounds great. And thanks for letting me stop by for a chat finally. Looks like all that harassment has finally paid off.

MH: Well, it was either give in or face a legal battle, but I decided this was easier. But before you get all smug about it, can we talk about genre for a minute? You and I have talked about this a few times in the past, but I know you like to be clear for readers on the topic of the genre of your books. They are categorized as fantasy, but they are lacking in magic, creatures, and other fantastical elements.

SC: Yeah, thanks for bringing this up. It’s as good a place to start as any.

I love history. Always have. I know a lot of historical fiction authors, and I read a lot in the genre. For people who know this about me, it’s very common for them to ask me why I didn’t just write historical fiction since it seems the most obvious choice. The answer I’ve given most often is that, quite honestly, I am scared off by the research. I know what it would take to do the kind of quality research I’d demand of myself, and I don’t feel like I want to commit to it.

But as I’ve thought more deeply about what motives me to write, I’ve discovered another reason. As much as I love history, the history itself isn’t what draws me to writing; it’s the storytelling. Story moves me more than the history, and I think I knew this intuitively when I started off. I wanted to be free to tell a story any way that worked without being constrained by facts. I read a lot of historical fiction (and much less sword and sorcery fantasy), so a historical-feeling setting became the narrative device that felt most comfortable to me.

Sorry to be so long-winded about it. It’s just a good question.

MH: So historical-feeling. Got it. Let’s talk about your world a bit since there isn’t any real history in your books. What were your influences for the setting?

SC: I’m most comfortable with medieval history and culture, so that was definitely the period I drew upon to create most of the world for my characters (medieval with a smattering of early Tudor). A couple of locations in the books, Elbra and Pania, have some Eastern European influences in language and social ranks of aristocracy as well as some vaguely Mediterranean settings. I created an entire people group in The King’s Furies based on Ethiopian culture. Generally speaking, the worlds will feel familiar to people in Britain and North America. I live in Minnesota, USA, and we have brutally cold winters with comfortable but humid summers. Like Britain, it’s temperate, though quite a bit more extreme on either end of the seasons. It’s easy for me to imagine my characters bundled up in furs and cloaks while tromping through the snow just as much as it is to have them bake in the sun.

MH: How about historical influences on plot and characters?

SC: Historical events and individuals definitely inspired some of the characters and events in my books. Nothing original here, but I’ve always been interested in the Wars of the Roses and the idea of York vs. Lancaster. I know that history has inspired a lot of books, and I can’t say I’m much different. I also can’t help but admit that many of the historical novels written by Sharon Penman have influenced me: the historical events, her characters, her descriptions, and settings, etc.

MH: You’ve made it no secret that you love Beobrand. Are there any similarities between him and any of your characters so that my own readers might find him or her familiar?

SC: Yes, I might love Beobrand. But that’s supposed to be a secret. Can’t we just keep that between the two of us? So… Beobrand tends to brood a bit. He’s dark and moody and broody and conflicted. Just like the main character in my new release, Casmir Vitus, King of Agrius. Like Beobrand, leadership rests uncomfortably on Casmir’s head. He never wanted to be king, but the job is his, and he has to make the best of it. Unlike Beobrand, Casmir was raised to the role forced upon him though, so he performs the task admirably when he remembers he’s not meant to do the job alone. It’s when he acts out of a spirit of entitlement typical of kings (contrasting to Beobrand’s more plebeian upbringing) that he lapses into his imperious and haughty tendencies. Nothing extreme, but readers will sense it. I used this part of his character to explore the dark places of his soul as the events in the book push Casmir to the limits of his strength and test his character.

MH: I’m guessing Casmir doesn’t wield a sword and smite his enemies in the same way Beobrand gets to?

SC: Casmir lives in a peaceful time. Or at least peaceful in the sense that there is no warfare. Agrius has been at peace since his father took the throne. Well, all is peaceful on the surface anyway. Even if Agrius had been at war, kings in his time don’t actually get to fight. So no, he doesn’t get a chance to show off his combat skills except at the pell. His book has more relational tension and political intrigue rather than violence. Courtiers can be very deceitful, so the palace is more viper pit than a gladiatorial arena.

MH: Before I let you finish your [craft beer brand], can you give us a little snippet from The King’s Furies?

SC: Certainly! Here’s a short scene that demonstrates part of the beginning of Casmir’s inner conflict. From the King’s Furies, chapter 53:

“Mathiasen.”
It took a moment for me to realize it was the scriptstóri who had spoken. I swung around, taking a menacing step toward him. “What did you say?”
The young man backed up, nearly colliding with the wall at his back. “A-Anton Mathiasen... Your Grace.”
“Irisa, who is this?” I asked, not breaking my visual hold on the scriptstóri.
“This is Annor, the one I told you about. He has been helping me in the evenings while you were away.”
“How do you know that name?” I asked Annor.
Irisa must have sensed my rising fury and reached out a hand for my sleeve. A pallor of sickness washed over the young scriptstóri, and he cast terrified eyes on Irisa. Rather than step in to help him, Irisa stood resolute, waiting for his answer.
“I... I overheard it.”
I pounced like a cat on a mouse. “Where? Where did you overhear the name?”
“In the Bibliotheca.” Annor struggled to find air, grimacing as he sought the words while fighting off his terror. He fumbled with his hands, his fingernails digging into his palms in his anxiety. He could not bring himself to look me straight-on.
“Where in the Bibliotheca? Is it conspiring scriptstórii again?” Annor blanched once more as I grasped a handful of his robe in my fist and twisted, pressing my face so close to his that he had to turn to the side to avoid having his nose crushed. “Who has betrayed me?”

SC: Thanks again for letting me stop by. Now that we’re done here, I’m going to go play with Blue. He’s the real reason I wanted to come visit.

Blue says Hi!

Next on her blog tour, Stephanie is chatting with the fantastic Sharon Kay Penman. Don't miss that!

You can find Stephanie's books on Amazon.

Purchase The Scribe’s Daughter: mybook.to/thescribesdaughter
Purchase The King’s Daughter: mybook.to/TheKingsDaughter
Pre-order The King’s Furies: mybook.to/TheKingsFuries

Find out more about Stephanie:

Stephanie’s website: https://www.stephaniechurchillauthor.com/

Video Interview with writer Matt Whiteside

A few days ago, I did an interview on a new YouTube channel run by indie writer, Matt Whiteside. It was a fun interview and we talked about lots of things including writing, getting published, history, castles and swords. And I even read a few lines from my very latest work in progress, Dark Frontier.

Check it out and subscribe to Matt's UniWeb Channel for more author interviews.

Matthew Harffy Interview on BBC Wiltshire with Sue Davies

Here is the interview I did on BBC Wiltshire back in May.

BOOK BLOGGER INTERVIEW: Stephanie Moore Hopkins

Over the last year I've interviewed many authors on this blog, and I've done my fair share of blog interviews on other sites. There are many bloggers and reviewers that really help writers, particularly independent ones, publicise their work. One of the best I've found is Layered Pages, which posts great articles, reviews and interviews. Another site that helps independent writers and readers by discovering new and talented self-published authors is indieBRAG.
indieBRAG has a team of book lovers, one of whom is Stephanie Moore Hopkins, who also happens to run the the fabulous site, Layered Pages.

Stephanie is a real advocate of good books and has helped to promote countless authors, including me. So, in a twist from the usual interviews I host, I thought it would be interesting to turn the tables and have the interviewer become the interviewee.

So, without further ado, let me welcome Stephanie to my blog.

So how did you get into book reviewing? Can you give us a description of how you ended up with a successful review blog, Layered Pages, and involvement in indieBRAG?

Back in 2011 a friend of mine and I started a book club in Goodreads called, Ladies & Literature and soon after I started to write reviews of the books I was reading-just for kicks. A few weeks after that I had an author contact me and asked if I would review her book. Things took off from there and then I decided to start a book review blog. Along the way I met Helen Hollick an Andrea Connell-who became my mentors-if you will. They helped me a great deal.

Then I became a significant presence on social media and soon after the Geri Clouston - President of indieBRAG - took noticed and contacted me.

Tell us about indieBRAG. Was it your brain-child?

IndieBRAG is a privately held organization that has brought together of readers from around the world to choose self-publishing books they feel is worthy of readers' time and money.

It is the mission of B.R.A.G. to discover new and talented self-publishing authors the attention and recognition it deserves.

The creator and owner of indieBRAG is Geri Clouston. She approached me with her idea and asked if I would be interested in joining her team. From then on, indieBRAG has really grown and we have expanded the services we offer.

In response to many authors and readers alike, B.R.A.G. is upgrading their operating system. More information is coming soon.

We are also conducting Blog Hops, special on-line events, author blitz and much more. Each event has a tailored format and offers a variety of post ideas.

To clear up any misconceptions people might have, we are not a paid review service.

I’d like to add that it is a great privilege working alongside Geri. I have learned so much from her and we have a wonderful working relationship. She has also become a dear friend of mine and a mentor. She has also given me creative licence on many B.R.AG. projects and that has been a tremendous honour. I love her enthusiastic attitude and hard work in the industry. She goes beyond and above for indie authors-more than many realize.

What do you do when you are not reading and reviewing books?

I work as a part-time preschool teacher and indieBRAG is a big part of my life. Those two occupations and Layered Pages is my main work focus.

For hobbies I am into health & fitness, hiking, crafting and mixed media art.

What is your favourite thing about reviewing books?

Sometimes I feel reviewing books is a daunting task. It is not always easy. For many reasons I won’t go into today. But having said that, I like to look back at my reviews to refresh my thoughts on the book and reviewing is a way to share/express my love of reading.

Do you also write? If so, have you published anything, or are you currently working on a project?

I do write and I am working on several stories. Everyone around me encourages me to publish but I really don’t know if I will. Maybe one day. But publishing is something I'm not sure I want to do right now. It's not high on my priority list at the moment.

My main writing projects are alternate history and time slips. I do also have several plot-lines written down for strictly modern day stories.

What writer or book has had the biggest influence on you?

This is a hard question because several authors have influenced me a great deal over the years. So I think I will stick with what book has had the biggest influence over my writing. That would be, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz. The story is so beautifully written it speaks for itself.

What is the best book you've read in the last twelve months?

To name a few: The Secret Life of Winnie Cox by Sharon Maas, The Conqueror’s Wife: A Novel of Alexander the Great by Stephanie Thornton, The Debt of Tamar by Nicole Dweck, I Captured the Castle by Dodie Smith and The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown.

What is the best experience you’ve had as a result of reviewing or writing?

Meeting so many writers and fellow readers and discussing stories and the art of writing with them in great length. Discovering so many wonderful books I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise.

Have you had any bad experiences working with writers or the literary community?

I’ve had a few bumpy roads. Not everyone is going to appreciate your work or your opinions.

I understand you have an announcement to make about a project you are going to enter into with the Historical Novel Society. Please tell us more!

I am a short-list judge for the 2016 HNS (Historical Novel Society) indie award. I was honoured and delighted when Helen Hollick - Editor of HNS Indie - approached me about this.

Congratulations!

And now for the quick-fire questions:

Tea or coffee?
Tea

Burger or hot dog?
Burger

Villain or hero?
Hmm…Ok, hero. *laughing*

Beer or wine?
Wine-if I drink.

Movie or TV series?
Ooo…Tough one! Of late, TV series.

Happy ending or tragedy?
In my current state: Happy ending.

In the car, audio-book or music?
Music

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

Thank you, Matthew!

Links:

• Layered Pages
• Layered Pages on Facebook
• Twitter: @Layeredpages
• indieBRAG
• IndieBRAG Facebook Page
• Twitter: @IndieBrag

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: David Cook

As part of my ongoing series of author interviews, today I welcome to the blog the talented historical fiction author, David Cook. David is a relative new kid on the block when it comes to the historical fiction scene, but he's already published several successful novellas and, as you will see, has plenty more stories to tell.

So sit back and let's get to know a bit more about David Cook and his writing.

Tell us about The Soldier Chronicles series of novellas. You have just launched the first novel length compendium of the first 5 in the series. What is the reasoning behind that decision to bundle them together? 

Fire and Steel is an anthology of the novella's; all designed to be snap-shots of a particular soldier in the long period of war between the years 1793-1815. All fiction, but very much based on actual events.

I self-published Death is a Duty in April and fortune's good wheel allowed me to spend nine days in June, Belgium, during the bicentenary anniversary of the Waterloo campaign. I was sat on the battlefield, high up where Napoleon's grande battery tried to shatter Wellington's centre, enjoying lunch with my good friend Adam, on the 18th - the day of the battle- and I overheard some Scottish re-enactors talk about the battle. And it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't really taken that into consideration with the Highlanders of the Black Watch, the principle regiment as featured in the story. So I made some corrections on the spot, thanks to my ever-present notebook.

Upon my return to the UK I revisited the other four stories where I made corrections, re-jigged parts, expanded dialogues, fleshed out parts and with the series now enhanced, I'm very pleased with the end result.

I believe you started writing The Soldier Chronicles as backstories for the characters in your first (as yet unpublished) novel, The Desert Lion. What has happened to that novel? Will it be published soon?

Yes, The Soldier Chronicles will work as companion pieces to the series which starts with The Desert Lion. Right now, I'm waiting for it to come back from my editor and from there I will be amending the story over the next six weeks. I will then begin to pitch the story to agents and try the traditional publishing route. (Matthew: Good luck!)

The Desert Lion started it all off; all my writing. I read a journal of a redcoat soldier who recounted the Egyptian expedition of 1801 and I was fascinated by it. It's practically unheard of or written about and I thought it would make a brilliant story.

What attracted you to the period of the Napoleonic wars and these characters?

My father's love of the period and history passed down to me, but I it was from Secondary school history and English literature lessons that opened my eyes. The writings of Jane Austen and Sir Walter Scott spoke about society and battles and upon getting Sharpe's Siege as a Christmas present, my love of the period was complete. It all opened my eyes.

I also think from war-gaming the period and learning how their armies marched, the logistics, troop uniforms, weaponry, the different characters of the period and the politics just add to the fascination to this day. Talking to re-enactors who speak of their love of the period helps you understand how it can turn your mind to smoke - like a good woman!

Have you got more Soldier Chronicles planned? 

I have books 6-10 mapped out. Book 6 is called Tempest and is about the last invasion of Great Britain, when in 1797 a French force managed to slip through the wooden walls of the Royal Navy and land in Pembrokeshire, Wales. They wanted to unite the workers, spread liberty and revolutionary zeal and burn the city of Bristol to the ground. Can they be stopped in time? Tempest will be out, Spring, 2016.

What about novels set in the same period?

The Desert Lion will start the planned series of books from 1801-1815. I have rough outlines that will probably change, so I'm not sure just how many the series will go to. Perhaps  10, 12, 15 - I don't know.

I’ve seen you’ve also worked on a retelling of the story of Robin Hood. What is the status of that project?

After I sent The Desert Lion to agents around 2008 and getting no interest with the early drafts, I decided to write about something different. It would be a story that I wanted to read, love and told in first-person style and I've always loved the legend of Robin Hood. The Wolfshead is about one of Robin's trusted men and will set the record straight about the legend, intermingling history; but not about the Crusades or the Peasants Revolt. As I'm English I grew up with the stories and have seen the legend watered down over the years, particularly with TV and films. I have gone for 13th century brutal violence, religion, and grit. I'm really proud of it and someday hope to get it released.

If you had to choose only one real historical figure to feature in your future novels, who would it be and why?

It would be Sir John Moore, the creator of British Army training reforms for light infantry - which went on to become the elite regiments. Moore was present in Ireland, and features in Liberty or Death, the first story in The Soldier Chronicles. He also plays a part in The Desert Lion. He was a kind man, courageous, ahead of his time and a humanitarian. Another reason to write about him is that there isn't much on the shelves dedicated to him and I think there should be.

When did you start writing? What made you take the plunge and write your first book? I think you, like most authors including me, still have a full-time day job that pays the bills. Do you foresee a future when you can give up the day job and write full time? If so, how far in the future is that moment, do you think?

It started writing because I wanted to read a book about the Egyptian campaign and there wasn't one. It was, and still is, a hobby, because I work full-time. The dream is to become a full-time writer, but I don't see that as an option in the near future.

What has surprised you most about writing?

I'm surprised that characters have their own voice! I'm surprised when things happen that I didn't plan at all.

What writer or book has had the biggest influence on your work?

It would be Bernard Cornwell and Sharpe's Siege was the catalyst.

What are the best and worst things about being a writer?

Writing is a lonely job, it's a double-edged sword.

What is the best book you've read in the last twelve months?

Make Me, by Lee Child. The latest Jack Reacher novel and its brilliant. I love the plot twists, the character definitions and the action.

What is the most exciting experience you've had as a result of writing?

It's connecting to other writers, readers and book lovers.

And now for the quick-fire questions:

Tea or coffee?

Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.

Burger or hot dog?

Burger.

Villain or hero?

Hero, because they can do things wrong too.

Beer or wine?

Beer.

Movie or TV series?

TV series (this is before Star Wars The Force Awakens comes out though :) )

Happy ending or tragedy?

Happy ending to the story.

In the car, audio-book or music?

Music

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions and best of luck with Fire and Steel and your future writing.

Connect with David online:

• @davidcookauthor
• www.facebook.com/davidcookauthor
• http://thewolfshead.tumblr.com
• David Cook's Amazon Page