Earlier today, I posted my take on Madam Tulip, and now here’s a quick Q & A with the author, David Ahren.
According to your author bio, Madam Tulip isn’t your first novel — but it’s the first published, though, right? What made this one different than the others? |
|
My last novel was a dark thriller, edgy and disturbing. When I was lucky enough to get to talk to several publishers about it, I found they were only interested if I meant to follow up with a couple more in the same vein. I really didn’t want to do that. So it sits in the imaginary drawer and will probably stay there. |
|
In the writing of Madam Tulip, what was the biggest surprise about the writing itself? Either, “I can’t believe X is so easy!” or “If I had known Y was going to be so hard, I’d have skipped this and watched more TV”. |
|
How much sheer fun they are to write was a real surprise. I love living with these characters. |
|
I particularly enjoyed the character Jacko. What can you tell me about him — where did he come from? |
|
Ah! He sprang up fully formed, hair and all. I love characters who are impossible people you can’t dislike. Jacko owes a lot to one of my grandfathers who had a wonderful ability to relish life. He had extraordinary energy and always had a scheme of some sort, usually unwise. |
|
Did you intend from the beginning on this being a series and construct things with that in mind, or was this a novel you liked enough that you wanted to continue with Derry and the rest? |
|
Madam Tulip was a series from the start. I used to make TV documentary series in another life, so thinking that way is instinctive for me. I like the way a series forces you to be consistent with your structures. You have to set yourself strict rules. Tough, but satisfying when you succeed. |
|
Is there a genre that you particularly enjoy reading, but could never write? Or are you primarily a mystery reader? |
|
That question really makes me think. These days I read mostly non-fiction, because I don’t like to be influenced stylistically by other novels while I’m in the middle of writing one. Historical novels I love. In fact my all-time favourite writer of series is Patrick O’Brien who wrote the most wonderful series of sea-stories. But any time I tried to write in that genre, I got bogged down in hugely enjoyable research and forgot I was meant to be creating a story. |
|
Thanks so much for your time, hope the launch goes well! |
|
And thank you H.C. for your interest in Madam Tulip. She thanks you too and sees a wonderful future for your blog. |
|
Spread the word! (please)
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Read Irresponsibly, but please Comment Responsibly