Ask the Author: Andrew Puckett
Answered Questions (9)
Andrew Puckett
The answer is yes. The first two, Sisters of Mercy and Deliver Them From Evil are narrated in the first person by Sister Josephine Farewell. She realises someone is killing off the patients on her ward, but no one believes her, so she has to accept the help of Tom Jones, an unconventional NHS investigator. (A series about Tom Jones existed before this book was written). The second book, again narrated by Jo, sees them undercover in a dodgy IVF clinic. The third, Death Before Time is in the third person. It is set in a Community Hospital, where a doctor realises patients are dying when they shouldn't, so asks Tom Jones and Jo to investigate this, again undercover. Thanks for your interest, hope this helps!
Andrew Puckett
The answer's yes, but I think it's where the book is set that gives it a particular tone or flavour. Like you, I was born in the West Country, but don't know whether that fact affects my writing or not. Most of my books are set in the west of England.
I think that different areas of this country do still seem to "grow" different characters, which is great. It's a hell of a generalisation, but it seems to me the further west (and maybe north!) you go, the more easy going people are. I lived in Oxford for 15 years and didn't find it a friendly place, very parochial and introverted, but that could easily be from the "Town and Gown" attitude that still prevails. One of my books, Bed of Nails is set there! I've always found Bristol to be a friendly city.
I think that different areas of this country do still seem to "grow" different characters, which is great. It's a hell of a generalisation, but it seems to me the further west (and maybe north!) you go, the more easy going people are. I lived in Oxford for 15 years and didn't find it a friendly place, very parochial and introverted, but that could easily be from the "Town and Gown" attitude that still prevails. One of my books, Bed of Nails is set there! I've always found Bristol to be a friendly city.
Andrew Puckett
To the Alexandria of Laurence Durrell's The Alexandria Quartet. I'd like to meet Balthazar, Scoby and Clea. Especially Clea.
If I'm allowed a second choice, it would be to the North Devon depicted in Henry Williamson's Tarka the Otter. And I'd walk over Braunton Burrows in the days before it was popular and swim in the sea.
If I'm allowed a second choice, it would be to the North Devon depicted in Henry Williamson's Tarka the Otter. And I'd walk over Braunton Burrows in the days before it was popular and swim in the sea.
Andrew Puckett
Putting together my knowledge of Smallpox gained when working at Porton Down together with the recent story of some of the virus being found in an old freezer in Maryland. What if terrorists got hold of it ... ?
WHAT IF is maybe the most important weapon in the writers' armory - did I spell that right?
WHAT IF is maybe the most important weapon in the writers' armory - did I spell that right?
Andrew Puckett
Always loved reading. I've loved detective stories since I was eleven and came across Miss Marple and the Thirteen Problems. Also love good thrillers ie, crime thrillers. Wanted to write since ... I don't know ... was told I was good at school aged seven. Realised I wanted to at age 17.
The first book I wrote was inspired by waiting for a friend to turn up in a rough pub in Bristol. He was late, and several dodgy characters "approached" me. Gave me the creeps, and also the opening of the book. He did turn up eventually.
The first book I wrote was inspired by waiting for a friend to turn up in a rough pub in Bristol. He was late, and several dodgy characters "approached" me. Gave me the creeps, and also the opening of the book. He did turn up eventually.
Andrew Puckett
Trying to push my books using this kind of thing.
Writing wise, I'm editing novels I didn't get conventionally published for e-publishing. One of them should be reasonably easy (am I heading for a fall?), the other will be a pig. I started it over 30 years ago, have re-written it twice and never got it right. My wife says Bin it, but I still think it could be a good novel. But I might be wrong.
Writing wise, I'm editing novels I didn't get conventionally published for e-publishing. One of them should be reasonably easy (am I heading for a fall?), the other will be a pig. I started it over 30 years ago, have re-written it twice and never got it right. My wife says Bin it, but I still think it could be a good novel. But I might be wrong.
Andrew Puckett
Persevere. Find a platform, for instance, some kind of writers' group where you get a cross-section of opinion. You learn which is good criticism (not necessarily praise) and which is bad.
Andrew Puckett
Two things. One, when you've finished a piece of work to the best of your ability, and you know in your guts that it's not at all bad. This is British Understatement.
Two: Getting a good review in the national press from someone you don't know.
Having a best seller is also nice. So I'm told.
Two: Getting a good review in the national press from someone you don't know.
Having a best seller is also nice. So I'm told.
Andrew Puckett
I haven't had writers' block all that often (which is lucky!). First, I try to force my way through it. This often works. If it doesn't, I ask myself if this is the book I should be writing. That's fine if you're in the early stages, a bummer if you're near the end. If I'm near the end, I give it a rest for a few days, then go back to it, and that usually works.
If you've got it and it's intractable, try reading Dorothea Brandes BECOMING A WRITER. It was written in the 1930's and is a bit off the wall, but her advice on making yourself write at any time is worth looking at. You know you can write. You also know you have a goblin sitting on each shoulder, one telling you you're a genius (esp when you're drunk) and the other telling you you're useless (usually when you're trying to write). They're both liars. You have to learn which one to bash, and when.
If you've got it and it's intractable, try reading Dorothea Brandes BECOMING A WRITER. It was written in the 1930's and is a bit off the wall, but her advice on making yourself write at any time is worth looking at. You know you can write. You also know you have a goblin sitting on each shoulder, one telling you you're a genius (esp when you're drunk) and the other telling you you're useless (usually when you're trying to write). They're both liars. You have to learn which one to bash, and when.
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