I’ve been tagged by Russell James http://russelljamesbooks.wordpress.com/ crime writer extraordinaire, to take part in this relay style blog called ‘The Next Big Thing Blog Hop Tour’ or some such combination. In essence I answer a handful of questions, and then tag other authors who will answer the same questions on their own blogs. I am going to cheat a little bit here but for good reason – I’ve been working on two books this year, both out in spring 2013 and would like to talk about both of them.
What is the working title of your next book? TBC but it’s the second Scott & Bailey novel.
Where did the idea come from for the book? The characters come from the TV series Scott & Bailey, created by Sally Wainwright and Di Taylor, but the central story is about a family homicide – a subject which I find very frightening.
What genre does your book fall under? Crime fiction.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? The same ones who already play them on telly!
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book? A man kills his wife, daughter and brother-in-law and flees with his two young sons, can Scott and Bailey save them while fighting their own private demons?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Agented, published by Transworld.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? Five months.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Broken Harbour by Tana French begins with a similar crime but develops it in a very different way. (I read it after I’d plotted out my story and totally loved it!)
Who or what inspired you to write this book? My agent Sara Menguc flagged up this topic some time ago when we were talking about my standalone titles – this book seemed like the right vehicle for it.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? The female friendships remain very much to the fore, it’s rooted in the North and there’s some inventive swearing a la TV series!
And for round two….
What is the working title of your next book? Blink of an Eye.
Where did the idea come from for the book? Thinking about what it would be like to have a child in trouble – in this case charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
What genre does your book fall under? Crime fiction.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? Absolutely no idea! I can only see them in my head for now.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book? A moment’s recklessness destroys the lives of three families; how would you cope if your daughter was to blame?
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Agented, published by Constable and Robinson.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript? Five months.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? Not sure, to be honest. The stand-alone books I’m writing are less detective fiction and more about ordinary people caught up in the criminal justice system. They do ask ethical questions and one reader compared them to Jodi Picoult.
Who or what inspired you to write this book? Just my imagination.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? The impact of the accident puts great strain on the family and fans a feud between two sisters while mother and grandmother Carmel tries to hold it all together.
Please do visit the following authors who are taking on the baton:
Janis Hill (also a Twitter friend who lives down under) is about to launch her debut book in the speculative fiction genre. Find her here http://janishill.wordpress.com/