To mark three years since the publication of his second detective novel, A Fistful of Seaweed, I caught up with author John Bayliss to find out about his latest writing projects.
I first met John on the HarperCollins’ writers’ on-line community Authonomy, where I achieved my first big break, securing a coveted first-place gold star and editorial review, thanks to the generosity and tireless support of John and hundreds of other readers and writers. Three years is a long time in a writer’s life…
John, you introduced us to detective Springer with your first novel, Five and a Half Tons, published in 2013 and followed by A Fistful of Seaweed published the following year. What writing projects do you have up your sleeve at the moment?
I have recently finished a brand new novel and I am wondering if I ought to seek out some trusty beta readers. This is the project that elbowed another of my other novels, Serpentine, out of the way, and I believe it does have something of the same flavour and similarly memorable characters. It’s called The Garden of Infinite Vistas and is set entirely within a very large garden. (When I say large, I mean huge.) In terms of genre, it could be classed as fantasy or magic realism, although it’s definitely not a conventional fantasy novel. It is rather long, too (120,000 words).
Do you plot closely, or do your characters guide you?
Bit of both. For the Springer novels (Five and a Half Tons and A Fistful of Seaweed) I literally made up the plot as I went along, which meant I had no more idea of what was about to happen than my hapless hero did. Then I had to do a lot of revision and re-writing to make sure that everything made (relative) sense at the end. There is a third unpublished Springer novel: my contract with my publisher was only for two novels.
In my current and future works-in-progress, I have decided to start by writing an outline of the plot first. I don’t expect to keep to it, because a story has a way of finding its own path irrespective of what you might have planned. Having an outline, however, does mean that I’ll always know where I’m aiming for, even if the story does take a few detours or shortcuts on the way. It’s a bit like a road map that I might take with me on a touring holiday: useful for navigating my way back to somewhere recognisable if I ever get lost, but it won’t stop me exploring a side road if it looks as though it might lead to somewhere interesting.
When I’m writing, lately, I find my characters coming to meet me in my dreams. Does that happen to you?
I often have weird dreams, but I don’t remember meeting any of my characters there. My dreams tend to be dominated by landscapes and unusual buildings, often large rambling houses with secret rooms. There are people in those dreams, but they have very little distinct identity of their own. Maybe they’re characters from novels I haven’t written yet who are planting ideas into my unconscious that will surface again once I get around to writing about them.
What motivates you to write?
I have been writing fiction for almost as long as I have been able to write. To write is a part of my personality, and I cannot conceive of a situation in which I did not write. If I don’t write anything for a day or two, I start to get itchy keyboard fingers.
How do you find time to write?
I was made redundant from my full time job a couple of years ago and decided that my finances were robust enough for me to take early retirement. So basically I have as much time as I need. (I don’t seem to get much more writing done, however…)
And when do you write best?
I can be thinking about writing at any time of the day or night, irrespective of what else I might be doing. Daydreaming about the characters or the situation in the current work-in-progress can be an excellent way of coming up with plot twists and interesting character quirks.
When I write the best is probably the first half of the day. There’s usually a point around four o’clock in the afternoon when my brain says: “That’s enough! I can’t do any more” and that’s when I stop.
A word about your future plans?
I need to decide what to do with The Garden of Infinite Vistas. The choice is either find an agent, find a publisher directly without an agent, or self-publish. I’m not sure at present which is the best course.
My current work in progress is a science fiction novel set on a spaceship, a story that addresses some important questions about the future of humanity. I also have a science fiction short story accepted for an anthology of stories being published by Grimbold Books—I haven’t been told when that’s due to be published, but hopefully it won’t be long. I also have plenty of ideas for more stories, including an idea for a very large ‘epic’ story that will unfold over several volumes, so I’m expecting to be busy for some time to come.
I’m very glad to know you have so many projects coming to fruition. Thanks so much for our interview, and the very best of luck with all your creative endeavours.
This evening, I received word that my guest radio appearance on Carol Graham’s Radio Show, ‘Never Ever Give Up Hope’ has gone live. I am so excited to share it with you here. You can also find it on Apple i-tunes and catch it as a Stitcher podcast. Carol is a seasoned radio talk show host, who, having overcome her own hurdles and adversities (which she writes about in her book ‘Battered Hope’) now hosts her own radio show in which she showcases stories and life experiences of people who have overcome challenges, to find new meaning and purpose in their lives.
I am so honoured to feature, and to be part of Carol’s success story. Carol’s questions are engaging and perceptive, and she knows how to make interviews relaxing and such great fun. It is also because of Carol’s interest in my story that I have finally discovered Skype, acquired a headset and am developing the delightful habit of listening to fab music as I work, which is both enjoyable and energising.
Carol is a great friend to me, and I hope you will all share, enjoy, review and rate these downloads, and invite your friends to do likewise.
Ian Macrae, commissioning editor of ‘Disability Now’ invited me to take part in ‘DN’s September podcast, so last Tuesday I headed off to London on the early train. Hubby – bless him! – insisted I travel first class, though the delicious and generously supplied drinks and food did nothing to ward off the chill of a seat near the rear carriage entrance. After days of sunshine, it was unusually overcast, and I was grateful for my woollen jacket.
The time passed quickly, though, and we soon got into Kings Cross, where I had a delicious lunch at one of the food stops. In the cavernous station, after stopping to admire the tourist crowd around Platform 9 3/4, I bought far too much food, and had to leave a lot of it, as I did not want to be falling asleep in front of the microphone during the afternoon recording. A short trip in a taxi took me to the RNIB recording studio in Camden, where we all met up: Ian Macrae, Commissioning Editor of ‘Disability Now’ who invited me along for the day; Zara Todd, Richard Butchins and Paul Carter. We had a lovely get-together, and the whole time passed so quickly. As we shared our experiences, once again I am reminded of how much we all have in common.
Getting in to Edinburgh late the same evening, the train station was so quiet after the friendly bustle of London.
Sincere thanks to Ian, to Zara, Richard and Paul, for such a wonderful time. I hope we meet again.
All dressed up, my daughter appeared through the front door in time to advise me to keep my jacket unbuttoned. (Not this jacket, a pink one).
Scottish writer Fran Macilvey, pictured in her home city of Edinburgh.
‘You are aiming for smart casual, right?’ I was grateful for her advice, and for confirmation that I passed muster, as I flew up and down the stairs, waiting for the cab. (Getting into town in my own car, in the evening in the midst of Edinburgh Festival Fringe Frenzy, is not to be contemplated.) Aware they are much in demand, taxis whizz in and out of the city centre like maniacs, like bears hoping to catch the autumn salmon migration from the river, before the quietness of September and the pre-Christmas austerity of October.
However, I digress.
The staff at the Venue helpfully said I was early, and then – joy of joys – my sister came, to keep me company, she said, and to help, and to be there. Given that she would be home late, I was especially touched by her generosity. Martha has always been so kind, and often in ways that I feel I don’t deserve. So, anyway, she and another Quaker friend visiting from Canada, went up to our event space and sat quietly for fifteen minutes. The room was set out with two long rows of chairs facing the windows. Aware of my mother’s urging to caution, I was quite prepared to speak to a select group of two, when the organiser came and mumbled something about letting the crowd in now, maybe?
Oh, are there others? Yes, and they had been waiting patiently to be admitted at seven. Every seat set out for the purpose was taken, that I could see. Blinking in delighted astonishment, I bade them welcome and thought, ‘OK girl, do your thing…’ so I read a few excerpts, and then we had a most – most – interesting and wide ranging discussion.
One of the most useful questions, was, ‘So, what should I do, if someone falls over and I want to help them?’ I answered something like, ‘If you would like to help, do so from your heart…and if you are rebuffed, (which you might be, remembering how embarrassed and sore I used to feel when I fell) don’t take it personally.’
This morning, I realise, it is easier than that. If someone falls over, don’t ask, ‘Are you all right?’ (Which I have done too….it trips off the tongue with almost no thought.) Instead, ask, ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ Then see what happens.
Thank you so much to Venue 40, the Quaker Meeting House, for making our evening such a success. Without the support, faith and friendship of our Quaker community, I would still be sitting in the armchair under the window, wondering what to do with my life.
Claire is one of my mentors, instrumental both in motivating me to continue writing, and in helping to edit the manuscript so that firstly, it was more readable, and secondly, that so it didn’t end up telling lots of stories about other people. In this blog I have touched on the difficulty of writing memoir and, while endeavouring to be as truthful as possible, not treading on other people’s toes.
Her honest feedback also motivated me to keep going with the quest to find a publisher. It may have taken a few years, but it has been worth it! Claire has written ‘Fifty Two Dates For Writers’ to keep writers motivated.
Thank you, Claire, for being such an inspirational friend and a thoughtful critic.
You can find Claire’s interview, ‘Writing One’s Life’ on her blog today. Anyone who ‘likes’ this interview has the chance to win a copy of my book.
Today I am delighted to introduce Frances Kay, a writer and children’s playwright. I first met up with Frances (‘Fan’) on a lively on-line writers’ forum. Apparently, she agreed to read my own book after noticing that I had included the word “sossidges” in a comment to a mutual friend. We swapped reads, and since then, have kept in touch. Fan’s writing is very strong, eerily atmospheric and convincing, threaded through with sardonic wit and humour. Fan’s first book, MICKA was published in 2010 by Picador and won 100% positive reviews from The Guardian, The Times and the Financial Times, as well as being featured on BBC radio 4’s programme ‘A Good Read’. Her second novel, DOLLYWAGGLERS, has recently been published by Tenebris Books.
Welcome, Frances. Can you tell me a little about what inspired you to write the ‘Dollywagglers’?
A long time love of dystopian literature, ever since I read ‘1984’ when I was fifteen. Orwell was my idol – a principled, disillusioned man with a love of England and the English language. I was especially taken with Orwell ‘s uncompromising vision of a nightmare future when I learned that he was fatally ill with TB as he wrote it, and died soon after it was published.
I wanted to express my disappointment, my anger and my love for England in this story, which I could only do from an exile’s perspective (I was living in Ireland when I wrote it), and when I was diagnosed in 2012 with an inoperable tumour, I felt reckless and emboldened to write my truth, even if it is hard to read. Parts of it were hard to write.
Any tips for developing a writing habit? Do you write every day or do you prefer to write when you are in the mood?
For a person who makes their living from writing, I’m a very bad example! I either need a commissioning theatre company breathing down my neck, or I have to wake up at seven and feel the desperate urge to get to my computer. I write in bursts, in a trance state. Of course, editing and improving can be done less breathlessly!
You call DOLLYWAGGLERS a dystopia, filled with refreshing anger and dark, bitter humour. What attracts you to writing dark fiction?
We all have a shadow side that needs to come out and play. I write plays for children and young people, and they deserve hope and optimism, but when I write for adults, I can let loose my darker self – and she has a field day. I also enjoy reading this kind of fiction, if it is well written. I’m thinking now of books like Helen Dunmore’s ‘A Spell in Winter’ – she’s a terrific writer.
What was the publishing process like for you?
Two publishers so far, and they could not have been more different. Picador is an imprint of Macmillan, and being accepted by this huge concern with its glamorous reputation was such an honour, I was ready to say yes to anything. They have a publicity and sales machine, so the process of getting my book ready for publication involved me saying yes to a cover I didn’t like, that I felt did not reflect the story within. After MICKA was published, I felt rather neglected. The next book by Picador followed mine a week later, and it was Emma Donohue’s ‘Room’. The excitement around that book and the Booker shortlisting, reinforced my feeling of being suddenly orphaned. No one from my publishers came to the launch event I set up, and I had to suggest to Picador they enter my book for the McKitterick Prize [it was the runner up].
Tenebris Books is another kettle of fish entirely. DOLLYWAGGLERS is the first one of this new imprint of Grimbold Books to be published, and they went to huge efforts to help me launch it with a splash. They asked for my input with the cover, and Ken Dawson, their designer, transformed a photo I gave them of two seedy puppets on Southwold beach into a sleazy, brooding cover that exactly captures the spirit of the book – I love it. They also provided champagne for the launch in London, and Zoe Harris, my editor, flew over with her husband from Norway, and made a fabulous speech at our launch. All the production team was there. I felt so loved! Even more importantly, Zoe and Sammy [of Grimbold Books] love the book with a passion, and our editing was done painlessly and collaboratively. They even paid an advance – and that is a rare thing, these days. I hope they will publish my next book.
And your future plans?
My life expectancy, though uncertain, is, I am assured, at least ten years. If I can publish another three novels, I will feel completely fulfilled. I want to leave something my children and grandchildren can read when they are older; I’ll still be a presence in their lives. I’m working on a sequel to DOLLYWAGGLERS; I felt there was a lot more story to explore. And I’m still writing plays for young people. Plenty more ideas in my head!
Thanks for inviting me on your blog, Fran. I’ll be happy to have you as a guest on mine, as I love your book ‘Trapped’, which has a wonderfully poignant, evocative cover.
Thank you too, Frances. It has been such a pleasure to host you today. I hope all your publishing dreams come true.
September 30, 2017
Interview with John Bayliss
Fran Macilvey Books I Have Reviewed, Interviews With Authors, Path To Publication 0 Comments
Interview with John Bayliss
To mark three years since the publication of his second detective novel, A Fistful of Seaweed, I caught up with author John Bayliss to find out about his latest writing projects.
I first met John on the HarperCollins’ writers’ on-line community Authonomy, where I achieved my first big break, securing a coveted first-place gold star and editorial review, thanks to the generosity and tireless support of John and hundreds of other readers and writers. Three years is a long time in a writer’s life…
John, you introduced us to detective Springer with your first novel, Five and a Half Tons, published in 2013 and followed by A Fistful of Seaweed published the following year. What writing projects do you have up your sleeve at the moment?
I have recently finished a brand new novel and I am wondering if I ought to seek out some trusty beta readers. This is the project that elbowed another of my other novels, Serpentine, out of the way, and I believe it does have something of the same flavour and similarly memorable characters. It’s called The Garden of Infinite Vistas and is set entirely within a very large garden. (When I say large, I mean huge.) In terms of genre, it could be classed as fantasy or magic realism, although it’s definitely not a conventional fantasy novel. It is rather long, too (120,000 words).
Do you plot closely, or do your characters guide you?
Bit of both. For the Springer novels (Five and a Half Tons and A Fistful of Seaweed) I literally made up the plot as I went along, which meant I had no more idea of what was about to happen than my hapless hero did. Then I had to do a lot of revision and re-writing to make sure that everything made (relative) sense at the end. There is a third unpublished Springer novel: my contract with my publisher was only for two novels.
In my current and future works-in-progress, I have decided to start by writing an outline of the plot first. I don’t expect to keep to it, because a story has a way of finding its own path irrespective of what you might have planned. Having an outline, however, does mean that I’ll always know where I’m aiming for, even if the story does take a few detours or shortcuts on the way. It’s a bit like a road map that I might take with me on a touring holiday: useful for navigating my way back to somewhere recognisable if I ever get lost, but it won’t stop me exploring a side road if it looks as though it might lead to somewhere interesting.
When I’m writing, lately, I find my characters coming to meet me in my dreams. Does that happen to you?
I often have weird dreams, but I don’t remember meeting any of my characters there. My dreams tend to be dominated by landscapes and unusual buildings, often large rambling houses with secret rooms. There are people in those dreams, but they have very little distinct identity of their own. Maybe they’re characters from novels I haven’t written yet who are planting ideas into my unconscious that will surface again once I get around to writing about them.
What motivates you to write?
I have been writing fiction for almost as long as I have been able to write. To write is a part of my personality, and I cannot conceive of a situation in which I did not write. If I don’t write anything for a day or two, I start to get itchy keyboard fingers.
How do you find time to write?
I was made redundant from my full time job a couple of years ago and decided that my finances were robust enough for me to take early retirement. So basically I have as much time as I need. (I don’t seem to get much more writing done, however…)
And when do you write best?
I can be thinking about writing at any time of the day or night, irrespective of what else I might be doing. Daydreaming about the characters or the situation in the current work-in-progress can be an excellent way of coming up with plot twists and interesting character quirks.
When I write the best is probably the first half of the day. There’s usually a point around four o’clock in the afternoon when my brain says: “That’s enough! I can’t do any more” and that’s when I stop.
A word about your future plans?
I need to decide what to do with The Garden of Infinite Vistas. The choice is either find an agent, find a publisher directly without an agent, or self-publish. I’m not sure at present which is the best course.
My current work in progress is a science fiction novel set on a spaceship, a story that addresses some important questions about the future of humanity. I also have a science fiction short story accepted for an anthology of stories being published by Grimbold Books—I haven’t been told when that’s due to be published, but hopefully it won’t be long. I also have plenty of ideas for more stories, including an idea for a very large ‘epic’ story that will unfold over several volumes, so I’m expecting to be busy for some time to come.
I’m very glad to know you have so many projects coming to fruition. Thanks so much for our interview, and the very best of luck with all your creative endeavours.
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