Ask the Author: Charlie Garratt
Answered Questions (8)
Charlie Garratt
Where did I put that TV remote?
Charlie Garratt
Skipping back through my list of books I guess I don't read much with a traditional 'couple', or at least none that I remember. If I take 'couple' to mean partnership then Holmes and Watson would be close to the top. There's something symbiotic about the relationship and even something of the married couple (jealousy, frustration with habits, secrecy, etc). Watson needs Holmes for excitement and to make him feel he's doing good in the world. Holmes needs Watson to keep him grounded and to confirm (to himself) that he's a powerful intellect.
Charlie Garratt
I'm largely inspired by events that affect me emotionally, like most authors, I suppose. The idea for 'A Shadowed Livery' came from hearing about a horrific murder and double suicide having occurred at a place I visited. 'Of Vegetables and Men', in the new collection, came from nights spent in a bar in Donegal, watching events unfold during the traditional Irish music session. 'Rain' in the same collection, came partly from looking out of the window and partly from reading Orhan Pamuk's 'Snow' - it doesn't resemble this excellent book in any way, except to try to place the weather as a characteristic of the location and its inhabitants.
Charlie Garratt
Try to work through it, usually involving tea and scones in a coffee shop with my notebook. Also, finding a scene I actually feel motivated to write - this tends to get me back on the bicycle so I can tackle the parts that have been troubling me.
Charlie Garratt
Tackling the challenge of getting thoughts and ideas down on the page in a form where a reader can share them.
Charlie Garratt
Don't give up half way through, and join a writers' group (but test a few out to see which suits you).
Charlie Garratt
I've recently finished the draft of a sequel to A Shadowed Livery, a new case for Inspector James Given. I've put it to one side 'to prove' (like a loaf) and am starting to plan a new project - a fictionalised memoir based on the life of my grandmother.
Charlie Garratt
The inspiration for the basic plot came from a real event I heard about when visiting a garden. I'd been looking for something to hang some ideas on and it fitted perfectly.
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