Ask the Author: Robert Smith
Answered Questions (3)
Robert Smith
I have written four novels under the pen name of Jack Lourens. My interest has always been history and it seemed logical to write about a subject I have an interest in. I based my first novel "1809; The Year The Freed The Slaves" in America. A historical novel with a difference, particularly as you know how it ends from the title. The sequel "The Georgia Secession," again gives the ending away. The question to be answered in both books is "How do you get there?"
I added two shorter books "The Annunaki," and "The Pastor, The Atheist and The Unbeliever" before embarking on writing about Siam and Myanmar, in the case of the Toungoo Empire. What inspired me? An avid reader, could I do better? That is up to you to judge.
I added two shorter books "The Annunaki," and "The Pastor, The Atheist and The Unbeliever" before embarking on writing about Siam and Myanmar, in the case of the Toungoo Empire. What inspired me? An avid reader, could I do better? That is up to you to judge.
Robert Smith
I have recently finished the fifth books of my Annunaki series. They are not the Annunaki as portrayed in the mythology but the reason why becomes clear should you chose to wend your way through the series.
I have currently finished my first draft of "Murder in the Blood" my first venture into the crime genre. I know it goes against the trend of writers to cross-genres but it makes writing more interesting.
I have currently finished my first draft of "Murder in the Blood" my first venture into the crime genre. I know it goes against the trend of writers to cross-genres but it makes writing more interesting.
Robert Smith
I have put down my roots in the city of Phitsanulok in North-Central Thailand. Throughout the city are statues, large and small, of cockerels. I was curious. In this city English is a rarely-spoken commodity so I started on the oddessy that led to "The Kings of Ayutthaya."
My curiosity led me to King Naresuan the Great, Thailand's national hero. Suprisingly there was little information about him. I searched the Internet, visited the ruins of the Chan Palace, visited Ayutthaya and watched one of the movies, then I decided that if I am curious others would be, so I wrote the book, "King Naresuan the Great."
I have previously written four self-published books under the pen name Jack Lourens. This was the first book I decided to send to agents and publishers. I recieved positive feedback, particulary from Silkworm Books based in Chiang Mai, but they finally decided not to take the book on. They did advise me to make a few changes which I did.
"King Naresuan the Great" was written in the style known as "narrative non-fiction" (not that I knew that at the time). I wanted to avoid writing a history book, I am an author not a historian, and wanted to present the story of King Naresuan in a manner that alowed readers to appreciate his role even with no knowledge of the history of Siam. Narrative non-fiction, where there is considerable use of narrative alongside the historical story allowed me to do that.
While researching Ayutthaya I saw a UNESCO comment to the effect that while people loved visiting the city, they had difficulty placing what they were seeing in context. It was not a major leap to go from King Naresuan to the Kings of Ayutthaya. It was just a lot of work.
I submitted it to Silkworm Books who decided to run with it. After editing and formatting it was released in Thailand in July 2017 and is being released internationally in October 2017.
It is in much the same vien as King Naresuan the Great in that it pre-supposes no knowledge of Siamese history. The book tells the history, the kings, the myths and the legends that come together to give the reader an understanding of the history of a country so different from the norm, and so little written about.
I live in Thailand and writing the book has helped me understand the Thai mindset in a way I never could have done. I hope you find the book interesting, informative and, most of all, an enjoyable read.
If you want to get a flavor of the book visit: www.thekingsofayutthaya.com.
My curiosity led me to King Naresuan the Great, Thailand's national hero. Suprisingly there was little information about him. I searched the Internet, visited the ruins of the Chan Palace, visited Ayutthaya and watched one of the movies, then I decided that if I am curious others would be, so I wrote the book, "King Naresuan the Great."
I have previously written four self-published books under the pen name Jack Lourens. This was the first book I decided to send to agents and publishers. I recieved positive feedback, particulary from Silkworm Books based in Chiang Mai, but they finally decided not to take the book on. They did advise me to make a few changes which I did.
"King Naresuan the Great" was written in the style known as "narrative non-fiction" (not that I knew that at the time). I wanted to avoid writing a history book, I am an author not a historian, and wanted to present the story of King Naresuan in a manner that alowed readers to appreciate his role even with no knowledge of the history of Siam. Narrative non-fiction, where there is considerable use of narrative alongside the historical story allowed me to do that.
While researching Ayutthaya I saw a UNESCO comment to the effect that while people loved visiting the city, they had difficulty placing what they were seeing in context. It was not a major leap to go from King Naresuan to the Kings of Ayutthaya. It was just a lot of work.
I submitted it to Silkworm Books who decided to run with it. After editing and formatting it was released in Thailand in July 2017 and is being released internationally in October 2017.
It is in much the same vien as King Naresuan the Great in that it pre-supposes no knowledge of Siamese history. The book tells the history, the kings, the myths and the legends that come together to give the reader an understanding of the history of a country so different from the norm, and so little written about.
I live in Thailand and writing the book has helped me understand the Thai mindset in a way I never could have done. I hope you find the book interesting, informative and, most of all, an enjoyable read.
If you want to get a flavor of the book visit: www.thekingsofayutthaya.com.
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