I am interviewing Craig Saunders again, because not only is he one of favorite people, and all around super nice guy, but he is a writing machine and I feel the need to update people on all of his new accomplishments.
So here he is Craig Saunders!
1 – So you just had another book released, tell us something
about it that isn’t in the write up.
I've had two books released in the last month, so I figure
I'll tell you a little secret about them...they're both set in Norfolk; A
Stranger's Grave, obviously with name and pertinent details changed, is
basically set in my local cemetery, which is about a two minute walk away. I
always go there to think, to plot, to smoke and drink coffee...
The Love of the Dead is set (again, in my head) on the
charming beach at Winterton, on the east coast of Norfolk. I have, to date, set
all of my novels in Norfolk. My county's pretty, and inspiring.
2 – What other works do you have coming up for publication?
I have two due from Crowded Quarantine Publications, in the
UK. The first, 'The Walls of Madness', is due out for the Halloween market.
It's a novella concerning a man battle with a mythical being 'the Marlin',
though the man suffers from delusions, too...it's pretty hardcore, I guess.
The second is 'A Home by the Sea', set on the Norfolk coast
(I like it there!)...it's one of my favourite novels to date. That's due out
March 2013, and I'll be signing both books at Cardiff ComicCon .
3 – Quick, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind
when I say “pulp”?
Fiction! Doh...guess that's probably the most popular
response. Couldn't say whether I mean the real pulp fiction, or the Tarrantino
Movie...
4 – If you could be any of the Greek Gods, which one would
you be and why?
Ha, Greek gods! I like a bit of Greek mythology. I think,
first impulse, I wouldn't want to be a God, I'd want to be a hero. Perseus, I
reckon...
5 – Now that you have been at this writing thing for a
while, what have you learned that can’t be understood on a blog or in a guide
to writing?
Writing's a job, I think, but more than that, it's a passion
and you need to be driven to get anywhere. Plenty of people fall by the wayside
because they haven't got the drive to take the constant knocks. It's a hard
business, and I don't think many understand just how big a gap there is between
being a writer, and being a writer who makes a decent living at writing...the
two are worlds apart, though the 'Kindle revolution' is maybe closing that gap
a little...
6 – What is your favorite food?
Most Japanese food. I lived in Japan for five years, and I
miss the food all the time. It's just not the same over here...
7 – What is your least favorite food?
Tomatoes - I despise and fear tomatoes.
8 – What advice do you wish someone had given you before you
started to write?
Don't expect to get the dream deal with your first book! I
went out all guns blazing to begin with, and didn't get anywhere. Work your way
up. Pay your dues. Make a brand or a name for yourself. The dream deal doesn't
come along often for people with no track record.
9 – What are your thoughts on e-books and their impact on
traditional paper versions?
Honestly? I'm glad. I think it levels the playing field
between the big publishers and the little guys, and I think the wider choice is
good for readers, too. There are plenty of great Indie books out there that a
bigger publisher would never pick up, and those books are now accessible to the
world. I think e-books are a great thing, but I don't see them as a threat to paper
books. I don't see why the two can't co-exist. Personally, I prefer to read a
paper book, but I'm pretty old. Change happens. I figure we all just need to
find a way to make it work, rather than fighting it.
10 – If you could have a super power what would it be?
I'm not sure it counts as a super power in traditional comic
book terms, but I'd be immortal. I'm interested in everything, and I can't
imagine a time when life and the world becomes boring enough for me to want to
lay down and die. I think I'll always be eager to look around the next corner.
11 – First thing that comes to mind when I say “pony”
Trap. Pony and trap - crap. Colloquial English/Rhyming slang
for number 2's!
12 – What’s it like living in a place where it rains all the
time?
It's great. We get a ton of rain and I love it. I hate the
sunshine, the wind, the snow...but rain cleanses the air, makes me feel fresh
and happy. I wouldn't want to move from my county, unless there was somewhere
more beautiful...with more rain.
13 – Will you be participating in the Olympics this year? If
yes, which category. If no, why not?
Haha - I could never be an Olympian...those guys train to
the exclusion of all else...I need variety. I won't be watching it either - I
figure they'll win or lose whether I watch or not, and the world will move on.
14 – What is the one movie you love even though most
everyone else hates it?
Joe vs the Volcano! I love that movie. And the Burbs, too -
though I'm not sure people hate that. I like Tom Hanks a lot, even though I don't
always like his movies. He's made some real stinkers!
Well, two things (good things come in twos, tonight, it
seems)...I'm currently working on the conclusion of my Line of Kings trilogy,
called 'The Queen of Thieves'...that's coming out soon, so look out for it on
Amazon. I've also put the final polish on an insanely violent and disturbing
horror novel 'The Noose and Gibbet'...I'm going to be shopping that around
pretty soon. Look out for that, too.
Finally (damn, that's more than two things...) if you're
interested in finding out more about me and my work, here's my links:
Twitter: @petrifiedtank
I'm pretty approachable. I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks Suzanne - I had fun, and as always, it's a pleasure
to be on your blog.
Good interview.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne - it was a fun interview :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent interview.
ReplyDelete