As I wrote a few days ago, author Alan Campbell has written some really intriguing novels. Scar Night is a great first novel, but what I enjoyed most about it is its darker take on urban fantasy. The characters are fairly well developed and the story is a great one but its the setting I fell in love with.
That continued in Iron Angel, the sequel to Scar Night.
In a few months, the third and (probably) final book in the Deepgate Codex, God of Clocks, will be released on April 28, 2009. I have total faith in Alan’s ability to finish off the trilogy with an even darker flourish!
And after realizing I hadn’t sent him my first Five Questions, I thought it’d be fun to do so!
Here is Five Questions with Alan Campbell! Enjoy!
Suvudu: When did you start writing? Why do you write?
Alan Campbell: I suppose it would have been in my early twenties, while working in Budapest, Hungary. Thanks to meagre wages, I couldn’t spend all my time in the pub, so scribbling words on paper seemed like a good way to pass the time. I write because I enjoy telling stories.
S: Describe your writing day? How many words/pages do you write a day on average? Breaks? How much time do you spend editing and how do you go about it?
AC: The whole process is still daunting, and slightly scary, especially when starting (and thereby committing myself to a new book or series). Initially, I'll note down pages and pages of ideas and scenes, but then scrap most of them. On a good day, I'll manage a thousand words. But as the deadline approaches the daily word count increases, and I'll often spend up to 20 hours a day writing. Editing is much easier. Whatever doesn't work has to go.
S: How many books did you write before you signed your first book contract? How did you get that contract? Via agent? Industry friend? Writer's retreat? Slushpile? Other?
AC: My first book, Scar Night, led to my first contract. Simon Kavanagh at the Mic Cheetham Literary Agency plucked it from the slushpile, read it, and offered to represent me. He then sold it to MacMillan and Bantam.
S: What advice would you give beginning writers? What is the best way to break into the industry?
AC: Listen to criticism. I think it's the best way to improve your craft and increase your chances of breaking into the industry. Occasionally you find writers who stubbornly refuse to change a word, seemingly regarding criticism as an attack on their artistic integrity. "But I wrote it that way because..." Writers' groups are invaluable, but only if you're prepared to accept advice from your peers.
S: What are you currently working on? When can we expect it?
AC: I'm working on a new three book series at the moment. The first book will be out (at least in the UK) early next year.
Alan's next book, God of Clocks, the final book in the Deepgate Codex, will be released on April 28, 2009!
And be sure to visit his website at www.AlanMCampbell.co.uk and his Urban Fantasy Blog to stay updated with his most current information!
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