Ask the Author: Mark Colenutt
Answered Questions (10)
Mark Colenutt
This is actually an easy one to answer as I have already developed the mystery in my old house into a novel, namely ‘Chester Bentley and the Ghost of Asher Worth’ - in it I retell the strange but true goings on in my house that was haunted by a mysterious presence keen to make contact from the afterlife, but why?
Mark Colenutt
Most of my reading really is taken up with non-fiction but if I had to venture into a fictional realm I would perhaps choose Never Never Land, and that way I would get to fly!
Mark Colenutt
I come to this question just as the summer has ended. I read very little as I was working on developing a new series of treasure hunt mysteries, which I am happy to say I achieved. So, as for reading I read Susan Hill's The Woman in Black, which I was surprised to learn is the second longest running stage play in the UK. I also wanted to go back and read Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone - to learn from the best, and I learnt a lot about pacing and was once more impressed by Rowling's level of inventiveness. I read Basilica: The Splendor and the Scandal: Building St. Peter's by RA Scotti. What else? Ah, yes Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture by Ross King, which was very well written. And now I am about to embark on something I should have read many moons ago and that is Discrimination and Disparities by the one and only Thomas Sowell, full of uncommon knowledge and much needed thinking in a time of present political madness.
Mark Colenutt
Arguably the writer's favourite question. Having something to say. So in each of my novels in the Chester Bentley Mysteries series, apart from wanting to provoke wonderment in the reader, the first book had an element tackling anti-Semitism. The second book looked at virtue while the third book wanted to blow the roof on the romance surrounding piracy. But inspiration comes to you on the wind, so I am waiting for the next summer beeze, or winter gail to blow in. Thank you for allowing me to answer the question, but what inspires you to write?
Mark Colenutt
They all thought he was mad wanting to go underground to work in the bottomless darkness of the sewers, alone by himself. But then his torch failed and he realised they were right, as he felt large claws gently sliding up his back.
Mark Colenutt
If it's history then it is something I believe the world should be aware of. If it's cultural then the same is true. If I found it useful to learn then I put my own spin on it such as my 'Handbook to Don Quixote' or work on Macchiavelli's The Prince. If it is a story then it must have absorbed my imagination and allowed me to escape the reality that surrounds us, if but for a brief moment
Mark Colenutt
I am in the process of submitting a history title for publication and editing a book I wrote on Seville many summers ago
Mark Colenutt
Drive forward tenaciously, always read something new, expand your vocabulary continuously and understand how to use the advice you receive intelligently
Mark Colenutt
It gives you a creative release that you can tap into any time you want, there's no set agenda or timetable and your next book is infinite in possibilities. You also get to contribute to the cultural output of society.
Mark Colenutt
Rarely get it, I must say. But if I have an imagination fail then I distract myself by trying to watch or read something inspiring and then go and have a wonderful dinner. That usually does the trick
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