Ask the Author: David West
Answered Questions (8)
David West
When I finished The Spy who Sank the Armada, I started to browse forwards through history, a year at a time. Some characters and events jump out at me. For the second book the characters were Giordano Bruno and Paolo Sarpi. From them emerged my second novel, Fire and Earth. The third book, The Suggested Assassin, was inspired by Marie de Medici, who appeared as a minor, but pivotal character in the first book.
David West
The inspiration for my first novel, The Spy who Sank the Armada, came from reading a biography of Sir Francis Drake. I discovered that Francis Walsingham had a spy who was giving him every detail of the preparation of the Armada. That spy was Sir Anthony Standen. Standen was my mother's maiden name. I read his entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, and it was the most amazing story, but I kept asking "Why did he do that?" and "How did he do that?" I have since discovered that Edmund Standen, Anthony's younger brother is my 10th great-grandfather. I feel compelled to tell Anthony's story.
David West
The 3rd instalment in the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures, called "The Suggested Assassin." I've finished addressing the issues that my editor raised and I'm about to start crunching it through ProWritingAid. I hope to have it published by 1st March.
David West
Study the craft. My first book was non-fiction, but I enjoyed the process so much that I enrolled on a creative writing course. My wife really enjoyed my first story, but my tutor asked what the point of the story was. That night we watched University Challenge and one of the questions was "who wrote The Seven Basic Plots: Why we tell stories?" I thought, I don't know, but I need to read that book. I did, and my next short story scored 97% and was shortlisted in a competition. It's by Christopher Booker, by the way.
David West
I'll never forget the moment when I first opened a box and took out the author copies of my first published book. The thrill is amazing. A book, a real book with my name on the cover, wow! Getting good reviews is also rather satisfying, not just from the vanity aspect, but to know that you've helped or entertained someone else.
David West
I go on a long walk. I live in the countryside and have a regular walk of 18km. Once the heart starts pumping I find my characters work through my problems for me. I often have to stop and make notes in my phone for fear of forgetting them.
David West
I've spent quite a lot of time travelling through 16th and 17th century Europe over the last two years, so I'd probably opt for F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1920's USA. I imagine I'd drink a lot of cocktails.
David West
Clash of Eagles by Alan Smale and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz.
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