Ask the Author: David Evans
Answered Questions (8)
David Evans
I'm not a particularly quick reader - I like to enjoy the books I read. At the moment I'm reading Scaredy Cat by Mark Billingham and then I have a manuscript of a friend's novel to read and comment on. In my 'to read' pile are 4 books by Peter May and I'm waiting on another manuscript from one of my writing buddies to review as a beta reader. Oh and in between, I have the 4th book in the Wakefield Series to complete!
David Evans
I can't think of any mystery in my own life that could be used as a plot for a book. However, it was my experiences during the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper that I drew on in writing TROPHIES. Having lived in Manchester then Yorkshire during this time, I couldn't help but be interested in this case. And when Sutcliffe was eventually caught and the mystery of the hoax letters and tape remained, I began to develop that as a plot line for the book.
David Evans
When I'm writing a 1st draft, I probably deal with it differently to some writers. I would make certain progress then go back and re-read, edit and get totally immersed in the story. So when I perhaps come to a situation where I think I want to take the story from point A to point B but I'm not sure how, I'll go back and review in edit mode. Generally I find that by the time I arrive at my sticking point, an obvious solution has appeared. At other times, walk away from it, have a walk (a dog is a great accessory for a writer) and just wait. I generally have about 2 or 3 "Of course, yes, that's it" moments when writing a book, and that feeling is just so good. The other thing is that, by the time I've finished the first draft, it's probably at other writer's second draft stage and ready for beta readers.
David Evans
Having some reader who you don't know and have never met tell you how much they've enjoyed your work. That is what this is all about, for me. Without that, I may as well give up and do something else. The other thing is that I write the sort of books I would enjoy as a reader and I like to reciprocate where I can and offer honest reviews for books I've read.
David Evans
Try and join a group of some kind. I started by enrolling on a Nightclass for Creative Writing. From there, about 6 of us felt strong empathy and formed our own group, encouraging each other to write. Writing may well be a solitary pursuit but it doesn't have to be a lonely one. Since attending various Writer's Festivals over the years, I've become friends with a good many people who read my work and offer constructive criticism and for whom I do the same. We all trust each other that the suggestions we make are offered in the spirit of support and encouragement.
David Evans
My current work in progress is what I hope to be the first in a completely new crime series. This is set in north Essex towards the end of the long hot summer of 1976. I'm about 65,000 words in on the first draft and really enjoying the characters, what they're telling me and where they're taking me.
That's not to say I won't pick up the Yorkshire series again. I just felt the need for a break once I'd completed the 3rd book.
That's not to say I won't pick up the Yorkshire series again. I just felt the need for a break once I'd completed the 3rd book.
David Evans
If I hear or see something that gets me thinking about 'what happens next?'; 'what if?'; 'why did they say that' etc. For instance, the second book, Torment, started with someone leaving a message on my answer phone which was obviously a mistake. From that I wondered, what if someone left a message by mistake on someone's machine and that led to ... And so it began.
David Evans
My most recently completed book is the 3rd in the Yorkshire series, Talisman, which I hope to make available later this year. Trophies was the first. Torment, no. 2 should be available soon. The 1st, Trophies was inspired by a natural interest into who the Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer known as Wearside Jack was. Having lived in and around the areas Sutcliffe targeted at the same time, it was the one aspect I was curious about. And so I created a suspect who fitted all the known facts of the case. I needed a protagonist, and DI Strong began life, along with his best friend from primary school, Bob Souter. But I also need other story threads which I weaved into the totally fictional work that is now Trophies. Having lived with the two main characters, I decided to follow their stories in the next two books.
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