Ask the Author: Ned Hayes
Answered Questions (11)
Ned Hayes
Thanks so much Jan. I've recently completed another book, and I'm hoping it's on the shelves in 2022 or 2023. All up to the publisher now!
Ned Hayes
I would absolutely step into Susanne Clarke's wonderful and enthralling world of 1800s England seen in her masterful historical novel (with magic)Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Ned Hayes
In fact, I have posted a whole set of two-sentence horror stories on my blog. Enjoy the chills right here!
Two Sentence Horror Stories for Halloween
Two Sentence Horror Stories for Halloween
Ned Hayes
Absolutely... I am always inspired by music. Thank you for sharing the wonderful tunes linked in your post.
If THE EAGLE TREE had a soundtrack, it would be this profound and heart-rending album by Zoë Keating -- titled "Into the Trees" https://music.zoekeating.com/album/in...
I play cello myself, and I am so inspired by Zoë Keating's work.
If THE EAGLE TREE had a soundtrack, it would be this profound and heart-rending album by Zoë Keating -- titled "Into the Trees" https://music.zoekeating.com/album/in...
I play cello myself, and I am so inspired by Zoë Keating's work.
Ned Hayes
I'm a fairly driven person -- up early, always writing or working. This drive has led some people to wonder where such motivation comes from... personally, I just like having written books, and it takes work to have that moment occur!
However, a great mystery could be written by describing someone whose drive is pathological and obsessional and has a dark (hidden) origin. Obsessional characters always make great protagonists!
However, a great mystery could be written by describing someone whose drive is pathological and obsessional and has a dark (hidden) origin. Obsessional characters always make great protagonists!
Ned Hayes
Thanks for the question, Tim!
I found that when I tried to set up the "perfect environment" for writing, it never happened.
And I read about Stephen King writing his books in the laundry room, with the machines banging around washing laundry and his kids climbing all over him. And I thought, if he can do that, I should be able to write on my commuter train, on the bus, and in any room in my house.
So I started writing everywhere, and carrying a notebook with me everywhere. I found that if I just jotted down a few pages a day, I began to have the form of a solid book, and so I kept doing that. I currently have 3 notebooks with me, and I have 3 different projects going in these books.
I find that waiting for the optimal environment doesn't make it happen. The optimal environment for writing is inside your own head -- just do it. Start writing words down, in a notebook, on a laptop, on any napkin you can find, even by audio dictation while driving!
With all this said, my favorite places to write are on the Olympia > Seattle commuter train while the sun is rising over the misty meadows and forests outside the window (I'd love to win an Amtrack fellowship to duplicate this experience), and in my home office, again looking out at the misty forest in the acreage behind my house in Olympia.
The only routine I follow right now is Write Every Day.
I found that when I tried to set up the "perfect environment" for writing, it never happened.
And I read about Stephen King writing his books in the laundry room, with the machines banging around washing laundry and his kids climbing all over him. And I thought, if he can do that, I should be able to write on my commuter train, on the bus, and in any room in my house.
So I started writing everywhere, and carrying a notebook with me everywhere. I found that if I just jotted down a few pages a day, I began to have the form of a solid book, and so I kept doing that. I currently have 3 notebooks with me, and I have 3 different projects going in these books.
I find that waiting for the optimal environment doesn't make it happen. The optimal environment for writing is inside your own head -- just do it. Start writing words down, in a notebook, on a laptop, on any napkin you can find, even by audio dictation while driving!
With all this said, my favorite places to write are on the Olympia > Seattle commuter train while the sun is rising over the misty meadows and forests outside the window (I'd love to win an Amtrack fellowship to duplicate this experience), and in my home office, again looking out at the misty forest in the acreage behind my house in Olympia.
The only routine I follow right now is Write Every Day.
Ned Hayes
As much as possible, I try to avoid making anything up from whole cloth or changing any history at all. Instead, what I try to do is weave my story through the threads of the existing history, and I try to have my story fill in the gaps in that real history. The historical fantasy writer Tim Powers has a name for this kind of work – he calls it “playing card tricks in the dark” – and I agree with his idea of not changing a single iota of the real history, but instead in trying to have your story weave naturally into the weft of the real historical narrative. I also try, as much as possible, to have my characters have a sensibility and a voice that is realistic to the time period and their station in life. I dislike historical fiction that does not actually show how people thought differently of their era at that time, compared to how we think of it now. One example in SINFUL FOLK is the fact that Mear, without question, accepts generally the Christian worldview, even though her background and training would today find that worldview antithetic to her heritage (when you read the novel, you’ll see exactly what I mean). Few people questioned that worldview, and if you did question it, you were killed.
Ned Hayes
I’m actually working on two books right now. One is called GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHT, and it is a sequel to SINFUL FOLK, and follows up on the story of Mear a few years later, during the time of the Peasant’s Revolt in England. Mear is now on the other side of the table, as a noblewoman. But during this revolt, she has to go back into disguise, as a peasant, in order to protect her property and family. I won’t say anymore about this novel, so that I don’t spoil it for readers, but I’m quite excited about it. To get early notice about the publication date of GARDEN – and receive the first chapters for free, when they are available – you can sign up on my mailing list right here. http://nednote.com/?page_id=78
The other book is under the name of my alter-ego, Nicholas Hallum. He writes dark fantasy, horror and SF. This book is called WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS, and it's a re-conception of 9-11 and the War on Terror through the eyes of someone who knows there is a dark supernatural explanation for every mistake we are making during this terrible period. To read more about this book, visit http://nickhallum.com
The other book is under the name of my alter-ego, Nicholas Hallum. He writes dark fantasy, horror and SF. This book is called WILDERNESS OF MIRRORS, and it's a re-conception of 9-11 and the War on Terror through the eyes of someone who knows there is a dark supernatural explanation for every mistake we are making during this terrible period. To read more about this book, visit http://nickhallum.com
Ned Hayes
In the 1990s, I studied medieval literature under noted scholar Richard Emmerson. And as I read Chaucer, I came across a bit of history from the 14th century. Children died in a tragic house fire in a distant village. The families were in such agony that they took their dead children across England to the King’s throne to demand justice. The same night I read of this incident, I couldn’t sleep – I stayed up and wrote a rapid beginning to the story.
But then I put the story on a shelf for nearly ten years. Then, one day, as I was watching my children playing, I thought of the agony of child-loss, and the pain I would feel if one of my children was lost. I wondered how far a mother would go to protect her child’s memory?
So in 2007, I suddenly started writing the book again and my writing rapidly focused on one woman’s story. One mother loving her child. One tragedy. One relentless urge to find answers. I began to think deeply about children, mothers, families, and loyalty.
I picked my old pages back up and suddenly I was haunted by the character of Miriam/Mear – I almost felt that she was a ghost who wanted her story to be told, and I was impelled to tell the truth of her life.
But then I put the story on a shelf for nearly ten years. Then, one day, as I was watching my children playing, I thought of the agony of child-loss, and the pain I would feel if one of my children was lost. I wondered how far a mother would go to protect her child’s memory?
So in 2007, I suddenly started writing the book again and my writing rapidly focused on one woman’s story. One mother loving her child. One tragedy. One relentless urge to find answers. I began to think deeply about children, mothers, families, and loyalty.
I picked my old pages back up and suddenly I was haunted by the character of Miriam/Mear – I almost felt that she was a ghost who wanted her story to be told, and I was impelled to tell the truth of her life.
Ned Hayes
Originally, I was inspired by the mystery of the fire that killed the children. But as I wrote, the story rapidly became about one woman’s story. One mother loving her child. One tragedy. And her own relentless urge to find answers. I found the character of Mear, and her ability to be strong and courageous -- even in a very weak and subservient position -- to be very inspirational.
When I partnered with the wonderful NY Times bestselling author/illustrator Nikki McClure to put together the novel, her art inspired my revisions further -- her handcut black paper work inspired me to make the novel even stronger. You can find more about Nikki at http://SinfulFolk.com/illustrator/
When I partnered with the wonderful NY Times bestselling author/illustrator Nikki McClure to put together the novel, her art inspired my revisions further -- her handcut black paper work inspired me to make the novel even stronger. You can find more about Nikki at http://SinfulFolk.com/illustrator/
Ned Hayes
I love the opportunity to "visit" past places and cultures, and see the world through different eyes. I find the whole process of getting into another time to be endlessly fascinating. I feel that my humanity – and the humanity of my readers – is deepened and enriched by experiencing a very different time and place.
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Jun 08, 2022 02:14PM · flag
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