Ask the Author: Terence Strong
Answered Questions (7)
Terence Strong
Hi Jordan, It has always been my policy to write "stand alone" thrillers - probably a bad idea as far as making money is concerned.
I've always hought if I've done a good job, there's not much left to say. My concession to this is to often have overlapping characters and/or situations. In my new thriller WORD OF WAR, there's the editor of a struggling redtop making a reappearance from an entirely different story that went before SOME UNHOLY WAR.
But if your a fan of series, you'll be pleased to know I think this new set-up has legs as it's the world of "close-protection" with loads of scope for my main characters. Two new titles semi-planned to follow.
So sorry, Major Harrison has had his time in the sun. Another new day awaits.
Thanks for asking and I'm so glad you enjoyed Tick Tock so much.
Best ever
TERRY
Terence Strong
I've always hought if I've done a good job, there's not much left to say. My concession to this is to often have overlapping characters and/or situations. In my new thriller WORD OF WAR, there's the editor of a struggling redtop making a reappearance from an entirely different story that went before SOME UNHOLY WAR.
But if your a fan of series, you'll be pleased to know I think this new set-up has legs as it's the world of "close-protection" with loads of scope for my main characters. Two new titles semi-planned to follow.
So sorry, Major Harrison has had his time in the sun. Another new day awaits.
Thanks for asking and I'm so glad you enjoyed Tick Tock so much.
Best ever
TERRY
Terence Strong
Terence Strong
My most recently published book from Simon & Schuster UK is SOME UNHOLY WAR. It started life with the working-title of Hobo, but I finally borrowed the cracking final name from one of the late, great Amy Winehouse songs.
The original story line idea was triggered by an episode of Casualty, although my thriller bears no resemblance to that storyline at all.
It featuresthe effects of combat stress and secret deals with the Taliban when UK forces had their backs to the wall in Afghanistan in 2006.
The original story line idea was triggered by an episode of Casualty, although my thriller bears no resemblance to that storyline at all.
It featuresthe effects of combat stress and secret deals with the Taliban when UK forces had their backs to the wall in Afghanistan in 2006.
Terence Strong
Events in the news are the most usual trigger. THE FIFTH HOSTAGE followed the failed Special Forces rescue attempt of American hostages from Iran in the late 1970s after the Islamic Revolution. It begged the question, how would the elite British SAS go about a similar mission.
At the time there were four of our real nationals being held. I invented a fifth and persuaded my SAS friends to help me rescue them on paper. I didn't go to Teheran, but I read nine books on the subject and spoke to many Iranian opposition refugees in London.
After reading the finished thriller, many commented that they couldn't believe I hadn't been there.
Currently THE FIFTH HOSTAGE is available only in eBook from Silver Fox Press via all major e-retailers worldwide.
Sometimes a book will be sparked by a secret or real person that only I know. Examples are WHITE VIPER and ROGUE ELEMENT.
Sometimes - as in the thriller I am currently writing (code named #WOW) - ideas for characters lead the way, this time with James 'Rollo' Royce, a former SBS Royal Marine turned Close Protection expert and a fiesty female journalist called Jo Brampton, thrown together during the so-called Arab Spring.
At the time there were four of our real nationals being held. I invented a fifth and persuaded my SAS friends to help me rescue them on paper. I didn't go to Teheran, but I read nine books on the subject and spoke to many Iranian opposition refugees in London.
After reading the finished thriller, many commented that they couldn't believe I hadn't been there.
Currently THE FIFTH HOSTAGE is available only in eBook from Silver Fox Press via all major e-retailers worldwide.
Sometimes a book will be sparked by a secret or real person that only I know. Examples are WHITE VIPER and ROGUE ELEMENT.
Sometimes - as in the thriller I am currently writing (code named #WOW) - ideas for characters lead the way, this time with James 'Rollo' Royce, a former SBS Royal Marine turned Close Protection expert and a fiesty female journalist called Jo Brampton, thrown together during the so-called Arab Spring.
Terence Strong
A new thriller set in the so-called "Arab Spring". Code-named "WoW". There may later be a competition to guess the tiele. But it isn't open yet!
Terence Strong
Read and study how other writers write. When you find someone you like, work out what it is about their writing that fires you. Make good use of similes and metaphors. Cut down heavily on adjectives and adverbs. To be effective, use them sparingly. Concentrate on characters. Use people or combinations you have met in your own life. Work on making dialogue realistic.
Terence Strong
Simply it is doing the job you love, the reason you were given the privilege of a life on this planet.
Terence Strong
I don't really get writer's block. In South Africa there is a delicious red wine called just that. In truth it wouldn't solve the problem, just make you not care about it
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If I've written myself into a corner - usually because I've veered away from my original detailed synopsis while writing - I will go alone to a pub where I am not known, and work it out. Over a pint I'll usually find a way out.
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If I've written myself into a corner - usually because I've veered away from my original detailed synopsis while writing - I will go alone to a pub where I am not known, and work it out. Over a pint I'll usually find a way out.
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