Ask the Author: David Gilman
Answered Questions (13)
David Gilman
Diane, this is very strange.
Your message via Goodreads has just popped up from 11 months ago. So there is clearly a disconnect somewhere. Did I ever answer your question? Forgive me if I did not. I can't explain why this has happened.
Yes, the evolution of history and war has a habit of repeating itself - we just find more violent and effective means of killing each other as time moves on. Again, my apologies, and my thanks for taking the time to get in touch. Best wishes, David
Your message via Goodreads has just popped up from 11 months ago. So there is clearly a disconnect somewhere. Did I ever answer your question? Forgive me if I did not. I can't explain why this has happened.
Yes, the evolution of history and war has a habit of repeating itself - we just find more violent and effective means of killing each other as time moves on. Again, my apologies, and my thanks for taking the time to get in touch. Best wishes, David
David Gilman
Dear Sudhagar,
Thank you for getting in touch. It took a long time to dig out the research for both the Mali war involvement of the French Foreign Legion (I'm pleased to say a former Legionnaire with 15 years experience thought I had got the whole Legion ethic correct). I also recall being in Africa, both jungle and desert when I was a soldier and from the time I lived in Africa afterwards. So there are many sources of inspiration that can be embraced and out down on the page. And I am pleased to hear you think the atmosphere prevailed in the novel.
As far as the penal colony goes I found information via an Italian documentary in an Italian magazine and then discovered more about the harshness of these penal colonies. There are quite a few of them and some, like the one in the book are really bad - and it was one colony in particular that the various sites and articles in international, as well as Russian, periodicals that I based this prison on. Thanks again for getting in touch, Best wishes, David.
Thank you for getting in touch. It took a long time to dig out the research for both the Mali war involvement of the French Foreign Legion (I'm pleased to say a former Legionnaire with 15 years experience thought I had got the whole Legion ethic correct). I also recall being in Africa, both jungle and desert when I was a soldier and from the time I lived in Africa afterwards. So there are many sources of inspiration that can be embraced and out down on the page. And I am pleased to hear you think the atmosphere prevailed in the novel.
As far as the penal colony goes I found information via an Italian documentary in an Italian magazine and then discovered more about the harshness of these penal colonies. There are quite a few of them and some, like the one in the book are really bad - and it was one colony in particular that the various sites and articles in international, as well as Russian, periodicals that I based this prison on. Thanks again for getting in touch, Best wishes, David.
David Gilman
Andy, thanks for your generous comments. It's always a pleasure to hear from my readers. I'm very fortunate with fans for the Master of War series but usually have howls of disbelief at the death of characters as the books continue. So, I hope you enjoy the journey. Best wishes, David.
David Gilman
James, apologies for this late reply but your question was not flagged for some reason and I have only just come across it. Thanks for your generous comments I'm pleased you are enjoying the series. If you have finished Scourge of Wolves, the 5th book, then there is another on the way. I have recently delivered the 6th book - Cross of Fire - which should be published in February 2020. There was a bit of a delay this year because I wrote another standalone which was published in February 2019 - Night Flight to Paris. I hope you continue to enjoy the books. Best wishes, David.
David Gilman
Dear Gram, sorry for the delay in replying but I am away abroad and internet is very sketchy. Pleased to hear you enjoyed Night Flight to Paris. I have had other readers asking the same question. I think the book could have a sequel but at the moment I think it's better to let it be a standalone novel. I think the story in Night Flight is a strong one and to add more in a sequel might spoil the idea. Frankly, I'm not sure. I think I will let Night Flight speak for itself for now and then consider the idea again in the future. However, I really like the Harry Mitchell character and sometimes characters get under your skin. So, we'll see.
Thanks for getting in touch.
Thanks for getting in touch.
David Gilman
That's very kind of you to say so. The third book - Gate of the Dead - is going to be published in February 2016. I have also just agreed to write another two books with Thomas Blackstone.
David Gilman
Ian, the ideas come fairly thick and fast but knowing when an idea has an authentic value to it is a different proposition. I think we need to open our eyes and ears a lot of the time. I was looking out of my office window recently and saw a shaven-headed, tattooed man with a rather fierce looking dog on a lead. He looked the stereotypical tough man from a sink estate, but when his kids arrived and the dog's tale wagged you could see just how much of a softie he might be. But in that instant he gave me an idea. I sat down and wrote an opening paragraph about him which might one day lead to a crime story. A simple, ever day image had given me an idea for a story.
Master of War, the first book in the series came about because my wife had gone to an art class and had painted a medieval Italian astride his horse that she copied from a painting she had seen in a book. Once I querie it -- months later by the way -- I learnt that it was a well known English mercenary knight who fought for the Italians in the mid 14th century. And that sparked my interest and led me to researching the medieval world and the men who fought in the 100 Years' War. And from these humble beginnings Thomas Blackstone emerged.
Everyone has ideas crammed away in their heads. The knack is to know when they might make an interesting story to share with others. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes, David.
Master of War, the first book in the series came about because my wife had gone to an art class and had painted a medieval Italian astride his horse that she copied from a painting she had seen in a book. Once I querie it -- months later by the way -- I learnt that it was a well known English mercenary knight who fought for the Italians in the mid 14th century. And that sparked my interest and led me to researching the medieval world and the men who fought in the 100 Years' War. And from these humble beginnings Thomas Blackstone emerged.
Everyone has ideas crammed away in their heads. The knack is to know when they might make an interesting story to share with others. Hope this answers your question. Best wishes, David.
David Gilman
Master of War - which I consider to be my current series/work - was inspired by a painting of Sir John Hawkwood, an English mercenary captain in 14c Italy whose painting/fresco by Paolo Uccello is in the Duomo in Florence. I didn't know anything about medieval history or the role the English played. That was the start of a fascinating insight and an enormous amount of research.
David Gilman
There's and intrinsic germ of an idea that triggers the whole thing. It can be anything from a random thought or feeling, a painting, a news report, a snippet of information. Then it's a matter of asking myself whether i want to spend the better part of a year with the story and the characters.
David Gilman
IMy second book in the Thomas Blackstone series - Master of War -p is being published in February 2015. Ttitle is Defiant Unto Death - and those edits have recently been completed. My third book in the series - gate of the Dead - has just been delivered to the publisher. And I have also recently finished a standalone historical novel, provisonally titled: The Last Horseman . I am also researching the idea of writing a crime novel.
David Gilman
Never give up. Never kick the dog. Struggle on - and it's always a struggle. True Grit seems to fit the bill. Other than that put the work down for a few hours/days, re-read what's been written, and carry on.
David Gilman
I work for a very demanding boss - me - but it saves doing a daily commute or 'working' for a living. I've done enough of that, thanks.
David Gilman
It does not exist. If an author stumbles it is usually due to not having the storyline firmly in place. However, I have often hit a brick wall because I change my mind - and then the only thing to do is write 'around' the log jam and come bacl to it. Remember at school when an exam question got tricky? Same idea.
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