Interview with Stephen Spencer - author of the thrilling Paul D Mallory Adventures:
Tell us a little about yourself, and what drives you to write.
Stephen: I've enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until I signed up for National Novel Writing Month back in 2007 that I started doing it with any regularity. And now, with the advent of e-pub/self-pub, there's actually a chance other people will see (and maybe even like!) what I've done. That's a powerful motivating force.
Powerful indeed! Do you have a particular role model?
Stephen: When it comes to writing, I admire above all others those who are willing to "pay it forward" by sharing what they know about the craft. In no particular order, names like Lawrence Block, Holly Lisle, Stephen King, Jack M. Bickham (and his mentor, the legendary Dwight V. Swain) all come to mind. I'd like to one day be in a position to emulate them, but I don't know whether that day will ever come: I still have far too much to learn.
The day we stop learning, is the day we stop living, as they say! Can I ask what's your proudest achievement?
Stephen: Again, I'll answer that as it applies to writing. I'd have to say I'm most proud of my decision to go ahead and give this e-pub thing a proper whirl, website, twitter account, the whole nine yards. Not easy, because I'm not a naturally gregarious type—but it's been mostly fun so far. There's a lot of great people out there. The world of e-publishing is still in its infancy, and I’m excited to be in at the start, meeting so many writers and readers alike who are part of this literary revolution.
I'd say you're well on the road to becoming a respected indie author of thrillers. But tell me, any regrets in life?
Stephen: Too few to mention, as the old song goes. I very much like where I am today, and since that's the result of everything that's gone before...well, without getting too metaphysical here, I'd have to say that no, I wouldn't change very much.
A man without regrets! That's good to know. What's your secret ambition?
Stephen: It's not such a secret. I'm doing it now: writing and publishing stories that will actually see the light of day.
Paul Mallory reminds me of a less chauvinist Bond. He has an unfortunate manner of finding trouble, but although he doesn’t start things, he will finish them. A man’s man then, though he has an eye for the ladies. But is he doomed to be lucky at cards, unlucky in love?
Stephen: Oh, Paul's still very much a chauvinist. Wave a damsel in distress in front of him, and watch how quickly everything else goes onto the back burner. As to his love life...well, you'll have to read on and see, won't you? The title of Third Time Lucky (juxtaposed as it is with the pretty girl on the cover) might or might not provide a clue...
Speaking of love, I fell for Bentley and his casual disregard for rules at first sight. The fact that he is richer than King Midas has nothing to do with this crush. And of course, he has some marvellous lines. But he’s just one character among many who are larger than life. How do you manage to create such believable characters?
Stephen: This is one I learned from Mr. Bickham. The "trick" to believable characters is, counter-intuitively, to make them un-believable. Exaggerate their qualities until they become almost cartoon figures. Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential example...and he's held up fairly well over the years, hasn't he? All the reader has to go by is words on a page. Help him out—make those words as vivid and memorable as possible.
If you were Bentley for a day - what would you change about the world?
Stephen: [laughs] Julia, you must be the only person in the world who calls him by his first name. I made the guy up, and I still can't think of him as anything except Cramer. But what would I change, given his power for a day? Nothing. In stories, whenever someone gets granted a free wish or three, he always ends up in terrible trouble. You're not getting me involved in that!
Dang it! Any advice for aspiring writers?
Stephen: As I said above, I wouldn't presume to do that. I mean, who the hell am I to advise anyone? The only thing I might possibly offer up—and it's scarcely original—is that if you want to write, then sit down and write; as often and as regularly as you can. It's the "regularly" bit that's most important.
Your output is already impressive! There are three ebooks available - is there anything else in the pipeline?
Stephen: Lots, I hope. For example, the Mallory OMNIBUS edition has just been published: All three adventures unabridged in one handy volume! There will be at least two more Mallory novels, at which point we'll step back and see where we stand. But I'll be writing (and publishing) for the rest of my life. I figure every time I do a new eBook, I'm saving thousands of trees from an untimely end. Having fun and helping the environment...how can I improve on that?
Thanks Stephen, as always a delight to have your company.
Stephen: Always a pleasure, Julia. Let's do it again some time.
That's a 30!
Although he’s too modest to say it, Stephen might be having fun and doing his part to save the rain forest, but his books are also a marvellous read. Try a sample and I know you’ll agree. At around 77p each, they're exceptional value for money. Visit Stephen's site Where to find Stephen: Tweet @PaulDMallory or visit Stephen's website: Click here.
Stephen: I've enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until I signed up for National Novel Writing Month back in 2007 that I started doing it with any regularity. And now, with the advent of e-pub/self-pub, there's actually a chance other people will see (and maybe even like!) what I've done. That's a powerful motivating force.
Powerful indeed! Do you have a particular role model?
Stephen: When it comes to writing, I admire above all others those who are willing to "pay it forward" by sharing what they know about the craft. In no particular order, names like Lawrence Block, Holly Lisle, Stephen King, Jack M. Bickham (and his mentor, the legendary Dwight V. Swain) all come to mind. I'd like to one day be in a position to emulate them, but I don't know whether that day will ever come: I still have far too much to learn.
The day we stop learning, is the day we stop living, as they say! Can I ask what's your proudest achievement?
Stephen: Again, I'll answer that as it applies to writing. I'd have to say I'm most proud of my decision to go ahead and give this e-pub thing a proper whirl, website, twitter account, the whole nine yards. Not easy, because I'm not a naturally gregarious type—but it's been mostly fun so far. There's a lot of great people out there. The world of e-publishing is still in its infancy, and I’m excited to be in at the start, meeting so many writers and readers alike who are part of this literary revolution.
I'd say you're well on the road to becoming a respected indie author of thrillers. But tell me, any regrets in life?
Stephen: Too few to mention, as the old song goes. I very much like where I am today, and since that's the result of everything that's gone before...well, without getting too metaphysical here, I'd have to say that no, I wouldn't change very much.
A man without regrets! That's good to know. What's your secret ambition?
Stephen: It's not such a secret. I'm doing it now: writing and publishing stories that will actually see the light of day.
Paul Mallory reminds me of a less chauvinist Bond. He has an unfortunate manner of finding trouble, but although he doesn’t start things, he will finish them. A man’s man then, though he has an eye for the ladies. But is he doomed to be lucky at cards, unlucky in love?
Stephen: Oh, Paul's still very much a chauvinist. Wave a damsel in distress in front of him, and watch how quickly everything else goes onto the back burner. As to his love life...well, you'll have to read on and see, won't you? The title of Third Time Lucky (juxtaposed as it is with the pretty girl on the cover) might or might not provide a clue...
Speaking of love, I fell for Bentley and his casual disregard for rules at first sight. The fact that he is richer than King Midas has nothing to do with this crush. And of course, he has some marvellous lines. But he’s just one character among many who are larger than life. How do you manage to create such believable characters?
Stephen: This is one I learned from Mr. Bickham. The "trick" to believable characters is, counter-intuitively, to make them un-believable. Exaggerate their qualities until they become almost cartoon figures. Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential example...and he's held up fairly well over the years, hasn't he? All the reader has to go by is words on a page. Help him out—make those words as vivid and memorable as possible.
If you were Bentley for a day - what would you change about the world?
Stephen: [laughs] Julia, you must be the only person in the world who calls him by his first name. I made the guy up, and I still can't think of him as anything except Cramer. But what would I change, given his power for a day? Nothing. In stories, whenever someone gets granted a free wish or three, he always ends up in terrible trouble. You're not getting me involved in that!
Dang it! Any advice for aspiring writers?
Stephen: As I said above, I wouldn't presume to do that. I mean, who the hell am I to advise anyone? The only thing I might possibly offer up—and it's scarcely original—is that if you want to write, then sit down and write; as often and as regularly as you can. It's the "regularly" bit that's most important.
Your output is already impressive! There are three ebooks available - is there anything else in the pipeline?
Stephen: Lots, I hope. For example, the Mallory OMNIBUS edition has just been published: All three adventures unabridged in one handy volume! There will be at least two more Mallory novels, at which point we'll step back and see where we stand. But I'll be writing (and publishing) for the rest of my life. I figure every time I do a new eBook, I'm saving thousands of trees from an untimely end. Having fun and helping the environment...how can I improve on that?
Thanks Stephen, as always a delight to have your company.
Stephen: Always a pleasure, Julia. Let's do it again some time.
That's a 30!
Although he’s too modest to say it, Stephen might be having fun and doing his part to save the rain forest, but his books are also a marvellous read. Try a sample and I know you’ll agree. At around 77p each, they're exceptional value for money. Visit Stephen's site Where to find Stephen: Tweet @PaulDMallory or visit Stephen's website: Click here.