Ben tornati a tutti, oggi vi presento la prima intervista in lingua inglese che troverete sul blog. Per me è stato molto emozionante cimentarmi in questa nuova avventura e ringrazio l’autrice per la pazienza e gentilezza nel rilasciarmi l’intervista. Quest’oggi infatti vi propongo l’intervista all’autrice irlandese Patricia Gibney, ho letto ad inizio anno il suo “I bambini silenziosi” (Tell Nobody) e devo ammettere di esserne rimasta piacevolmente colpita. Da qui l’idea di contattarla.
Patricia Gibney, a Crime Author who has lived in Co Westmeath all her life, is one of The Biggest Success Stories in Global Publishing. Since 2018, she has sold more than one million copies of her addictive Crime Series, which is set in the fictional Midlands Town of Ragmullin.
– Irish Independent
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
As a reader from a very young age I always had the twitch and twinge to put words on a page. I was forever writing bit and pieces, but nothing serious until later in life when my circumstances changed and I found writing to be therapeutic. My desire to write a book was rekindled during this time and I realised it was something that had been buried deep within my being and I just had to let it free.
What inspired you to start writing thrillers?
I love reading crime thrillers and detective novels. By reading crime it felt natural for me to write in this genre. My favourite authors since a young age have been PD James, Ruth Rendell, Ian Ranking, Lee Child, Val McDermid, Stephen King, Sidney Sheldon and many, many more. I love having a mystery to untangle and I aspire to be able to keep a detective series going for as long as possible and so far Detective Lottie Parker hasn’t let me down.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Ideas come in all shapes and forms. I watch true crime drama and I find that sometimes things that happen in real life are a lot worse than anything my imagination could conjure up. I usually start off with a very general idea of what the theme of the book will be, but I don’t plot it out from start to finish. I let the story flow from the characters, often surprising myself with twists and turns.
How long does it take you to write a book?
My debut book, The Missing Ones, took me five years to write. It was my first serious foray into writing a full length novel. I had written short stories before but writing a novel is totally different.
When my agent submitted The Missing Ones to Bookouture I received an initial contract for four books, two books a year. I thought this was doable, but I hadn’t factored in the editing process. I found that trying to write two books a year almost burned me out. My contracts are now for one book a year and I can write without pressure. I allow myself around six months to write it plus another three or so months for the various stages of the editing process. This is less stressful and more enjoyable.
What is your writing process like?
My writing process has changed over the last seven years since my debut book published. I come up with the initial idea and brainstorm it with my editor. When I feel comfortable with this, I begin by creating a few new characters and then let them carry the story. As I said I don’t plot out the entire book beforehand. I find writing my way allows the process to be spontaneous. If I can surprise myself, then I will surprise the reader. But it often means more intense editing, trying to make sure all the pieces fit and make sense.
Do you have any rituals or superstitions when you write?
I don’t have any rituals when I write except I need silence and my imagination works best by writing in the morning.
What are the unique elements of your writing style?
I’m not sure what is unique about my style but I try to be as realistic as possible with my characters. I like them to jump off the page and live with the reader for the duration of the read. I treat my characters as real people, and that in turn should make them real to the reader. I also try to write in short chapters or sections, and in a few different points of view and I think this adds pace and suspense to the story. Even though I am writing a series each book has its own plot and mystery to be solved. I love this way of writing a series, because each book can be read as a stand-alone.
How do you incorporate research into your writing?
I usually write first and research afterwards. I find if I start researching while writing then I can go down a rabbit hole and nearly forget what I was researching in the first place. The local library is great for finding out about quirky local locations to fictionalise in my books.
What characters and scenes have you enjoyed writing the most?
I enjoy writing Lottie and Boyd. I find with each new book, I am taking them on a journey, a bumpy journey – there are not straight roads in Ragmullin! I try to get as much realism and emotion as possible into their characters so that I’m always wondering what will happen to them next. And hopefully that resonates with the reader also.
Which book do you think is your most successful?
The Missing Ones because this is my debut. As I’m writing a series, I find readers who come to the series later, go back to read The Missing Ones. And it was the book that took me the longest to write. It’s the one with the blood, sweat and tears ingrained on the pages!
What advice would you give to young thriller authors looking to break into the genre?
Start writing. I find we are great at making excuses not to write, e.g. I have no time to write, I need a fancy desk, or I’ll do it when x happens, etc. But if you really want to write a book you actually have to write it first. Write a little every day. If you want to write a crime thriller, you could read crime thrillers, watch true crime drama, watch fictional crime drama. My main advice would be to read as much as possible and write a little every day.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep on writing Lottie as long as I love writing her character. If that love starts to wane then I will know it’s time to maybe write something totally different
What is your dream as a writer?
To keep writing books people want to read.
MuatyLand 