Ask the Author: Harry Buckle
Answered Questions (10)
Harry Buckle
You make an interesting point and I will bear it in mind in future. I don't do much here on good reads but I now realise where you 'picked up my book'...and that it was an early proof edition with many typo's ...so on that level a work in progress.
Ref nothing 'known till eight chapters' further in...I note that one of the three main characters--actually the one who solved a major part of the 'problem' is introduced in the first three lines of the book, also in the first six lines is some very clear detail of what he did. The essential details of the entire plot regarding the danger of 'just in time delivery ' are then clearly set out just 8 pages later. Within the first eight chapters there are quite deliberately a number of 'red herrings.' I am sorry if they were too difficult for you to follow. But thank you for your interest and comments.
You are the first of several hundred readers who have contacted me via my web site --to raise the point...most seem to relish the detailed 'the backstory'. I have a feeling I would have heard if others had given up as most contacting me don't pull their punches. We will of course see what happens with sales of the follow up/s... they are equally detailed- not to ignore your point but my new editors (England/US) seem to like things that way. Thank you again for your interest.
Ref nothing 'known till eight chapters' further in...I note that one of the three main characters--actually the one who solved a major part of the 'problem' is introduced in the first three lines of the book, also in the first six lines is some very clear detail of what he did. The essential details of the entire plot regarding the danger of 'just in time delivery ' are then clearly set out just 8 pages later. Within the first eight chapters there are quite deliberately a number of 'red herrings.' I am sorry if they were too difficult for you to follow. But thank you for your interest and comments.
You are the first of several hundred readers who have contacted me via my web site --to raise the point...most seem to relish the detailed 'the backstory'. I have a feeling I would have heard if others had given up as most contacting me don't pull their punches. We will of course see what happens with sales of the follow up/s... they are equally detailed- not to ignore your point but my new editors (England/US) seem to like things that way. Thank you again for your interest.
Harry Buckle
Susan: Thanks for getting the book...not so much NZ in there but what there is quite material. Good point about 'The North' or just 'North'. I have visited NZ many times but hadn't noticed your useful point. Is there a Cubert in New Zealand ?...I really hope not. When ever I refer to real places in novels one gets deluged with stuff: 'the post office closed ten years ago', or someone called Mustard threatens to sue you because you arranged the untimely death of the vicar killed in the conservatory by Col. Mustard. It's the same with names...so I now get real friends to agree to be a spy or a pilot or whatever... fun for them and they like getting a free book! Of course more famous authors are able to auction 'book character' names for charity which is very cool. I have friend (Swedish) whose real name is Siri..as in the apple speech app. Has made her life a nightmare. On my first trip to NZ in 1965/ 6... the Aussie pilot of the plane told us we were just about to arrive in the land of the 365... when we asked he said that referred to 'sheep eaters' because NZ' ers had to eat it every day! Is favourite place of all my children who have visited in recent years...and don't start me as an Anglo-Irishman on the on-going brilliance of The All Blacks. Sorry delay in response I need help with this Good Reads malarkey...selling books is somewhat needed as there's bills to pay piling up on my desk! Best HRB. Private e mail: editor@harrybuckle.com
Harry Buckle
I do actually have several books worth of notes and pieces written over the past forty years...my editor wants me to do 'Sometimes Music is My Only Friend, Part Two.' Currently I would rather focus on the fiction...but we will see. Not sure about 'the mould of entertaining raconteur' make me feel like an abandoned relic in one of the legendary Asian Foreign Correspondents Clubs.
Harry Buckle
Never had it...but having said that: two things.]
1. I have often struggled through a day, tired, upset or worried about something, or feeling a bit under the weather (truly never hung over these days) The following day I review the work and it's invariably lugubrious rubbish.
2.Then there's days when you feel fresh, lively, happy to tip tap away on the computer for ages...annoyed by interruptions for coffee, lunch or as I live for quite a lot of time in the heat of Thailand, a good few vigorous swims to exercise away the sedentary perils of sitting for hours. The next days review... reveals reams of over written, too descriptive too detailed waffle.
1. I have often struggled through a day, tired, upset or worried about something, or feeling a bit under the weather (truly never hung over these days) The following day I review the work and it's invariably lugubrious rubbish.
2.Then there's days when you feel fresh, lively, happy to tip tap away on the computer for ages...annoyed by interruptions for coffee, lunch or as I live for quite a lot of time in the heat of Thailand, a good few vigorous swims to exercise away the sedentary perils of sitting for hours. The next days review... reveals reams of over written, too descriptive too detailed waffle.
Harry Buckle
After a few years as a rather widely read journalist I started a music company which eventually worked out well.
Sometimes Music is My Only Friend-- tells the story of all that ( and my recruitment by the UK secret service department MI6 and Russia's KGB!)
So I am used to the odd world where you go to the office and write or organise/publish or produce music...and in some lucky cases what you do travels worldwide. In the case of our company's music, we learned that people liked some, hated some ,danced, fell in love, got married, divorced, were even exposed to it to it before they were born when their then pregnant mums listed to it. Not only that but 40 years on from my first music hits people are still listening and so that days work is even now creating the emotions I referred to earlier. I cannot imagine that in 50 years many folks will bother to look out my creative writing of today...but you never know. I DO NOT write egotistically to be remembered. I write because I have enjoyed much reading and would hope that here or there I can create something enjoyable for others. My first two sons were brought into reading with Tolkien and Richard Adams...the next two, boy and girl were enthused -of course- by Harry Potter. The best thing is creating a world of emotions and imagination. Kind of why radio drama is in many ways better than TV.
Sometimes Music is My Only Friend-- tells the story of all that ( and my recruitment by the UK secret service department MI6 and Russia's KGB!)
So I am used to the odd world where you go to the office and write or organise/publish or produce music...and in some lucky cases what you do travels worldwide. In the case of our company's music, we learned that people liked some, hated some ,danced, fell in love, got married, divorced, were even exposed to it to it before they were born when their then pregnant mums listed to it. Not only that but 40 years on from my first music hits people are still listening and so that days work is even now creating the emotions I referred to earlier. I cannot imagine that in 50 years many folks will bother to look out my creative writing of today...but you never know. I DO NOT write egotistically to be remembered. I write because I have enjoyed much reading and would hope that here or there I can create something enjoyable for others. My first two sons were brought into reading with Tolkien and Richard Adams...the next two, boy and girl were enthused -of course- by Harry Potter. The best thing is creating a world of emotions and imagination. Kind of why radio drama is in many ways better than TV.
Harry Buckle
The great and good at goodreads control central-- won't let me answer with one word. Write. But that's the answer. Write. Write. Write. Write and then find a creatively encouraging editor.
Harry Buckle
Two new books...'Just in Case' and 'Just One Day'...started out as a single thriller-- with a plot relevant to today. The I realised that a couple of the twists and turns in the storyline build up had stand alone lives of their own. So now I am pondering which one to focus on first. I cannot write 'both at once'..ie morning and afternoon shifts or alternate days. Too confusing for my simple brain.
Harry Buckle
Need to eat...and having made a living as journalist/columnist years back I thought I'd revisit the potential.
Harry Buckle
Current affairs where politicians are more concerned for their re-election and expenses than carrying through the tasks they promised to deal with and for which they elected. So this has left most nations now very exposed to any threats to the 'Just in Time' delivery of all that sustains their population.
Harry Buckle
It was only a few days after the dinner party they discovered they had unwittingly eaten their hosts dog, cat, and his apparently 'away visiting her mother,' wife. Calling in the police was of course an option, but for Piers and Hillary, chef owners of a very successful local restaurant, revenge was more their style, and as the weeks went by they agreed, practice makes perfect.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more