Monday, 23 July 2007

• Meet Christopher Hoare

   

  This week, I chose to interview Christopher Hoare, author of “Deadly Enterprise”, “The Wildcat’s Victory”, “Sorcerer’s Bane”, and “Appearances”.

   

   http://double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-55404-466-9&picsize=LARGE&x=57&y=102

   

  Hey Chris, and thanks for choosing to do an interview with me.

   

  First off, can you tell us a bit about each of your books?

   

  Deadly Enterprise – Lt. Gisel Matah has to escort the scion of a merchantile family, Yohan Felger, to an enemy city on an alternate Earth, circa 1700. She is a stranded modern and finds Yohan's formal manners quaint – he thinks she's no lady, but after being pursued by enemies the whole way and involved in putting down a coup d'etat they find themselves in love.
  
  The Wildcat's Victory carries the story on into a joint partnership between Gisel's people and the Felgers. The Felgers are trying to pull a fast one on the moderns by conveying a steam engine to their enemies, but Gisel knows about it. The deceptions are threatening their relationship so when she's offered a cavalry posting in a new campaign (by an ex-lover) she takes it in order to give Yohan breathing space. The action ends up involving both of them and the climax comes when Gisel wins a desperate action and confronts two enemies in a barbarian encampment.
  
  Arrival is the prequel to the stories and goes back to the arrival of the moderns in this world and how they wound up with so many enemies. It is basically a coming-of-age story for Gisel that shows her developing from 16 year old starship brat into a valued agent.
  
  I also have a fantasy accepted by Zumaya – I'll mention it next.

   

  Do any of them stand out in your mind as being a little ‘above and beyond’ the others?

   

  Rast – Sorcerer's Bane is a departure in writing style for me. I usually write clean and concise prose, but the story came to me complete with its own elevated prose style. A prince and his sweetheart must drive off several invading groups from the land of Rast when his father is destroyed by the rebellion of the magic he wields. It pits a materialist invader with his mechanical weapons against the simpler, magic culture of Rast. It also pits the sweetheart, Jady, against the princess sent by family to be the prince's consort. It is somewhat allegorical, satirical, and atmospheric – enough that I've put off getting back into that mode to write the sequel for several years.

   

  Which of your characters can you most empathize with?

   

  I think I empathize with them all – even the villains. The female protagonists, Gisel and Jady, are my favourites, but I also understand the motives and difficulties of the enemies. Perhaps the male protagonists have my sympathies when they try to keep their wild women in line.

   

  How long have you been writing?

   

  I started in 1967 with a huge historical novel that was never published. Continued on and off as I had time until I devoted my main attention to it around 2000.

   

  What’s your favorite genre to write in?

   

  I prefer speculative fiction although I have tried writing contemporary novels at times. The modern age's inequities and trying to write truth that doesn't exaggerate soon wears me out.

   

  What’s your favorite genre to read?

   

  I think I prefer historicals, much of my writing is set in real or alternate historical timelines.

   

  Many authors get writer’s block on occasion.  What do you do to get around yours?

   

  A small block is generally surmounted by a walk, a larger one by taking a longer view at where a plot should be going. I usually have more than one project at a time, so I can switch for awhile. If none of these works I can always catch up on the chores I've been putting off in order to write and can come back refreshed after a few days.

   

  How do you feel about critique groups?

   

   If you find a good one you should invest in it. My writing craft would still be back in the stone age if I hadn't joined NovelPro in 2001

   

  A lot of published authors go on to set up projects to bolster the online writing community.  Do you have any plans for a project, or ideas you’d like to see enacted?

   

  I'm interested in feeling my way into promoting with character interviews and character sites. If these attract readers, I would like to develop a network of authors who can draw readers into the online genres.

   

  I joined Nothing Binding and hope to see ways to increase the readership of online writers through its programs.
  
  I'm also going to try my hand at reviewing.

   

  What other writers have influenced your work?

   

   I think my NovelPro friends have done most. Critiquing and being critiqued in depth has opened my eyes to better techniques and the essence of story. Look at novelpro.com to see what a writers' group should be

   

  Ever write in people you know as characters?

   

  I might base characters on real people, but if the character is going to work it has to take on a life of its own within the particular story.

   

  Other than ‘Deadly Enterprise’, do you have any upcoming works we should watch out for?

   

  The Wildcat's Victory is for January 2008 release, Arrival for the summer of 2008, and Rast should appear before 2009. I've never written horror before, but I managed a story that I sent off to J for the next Double Dragon anthology.

   

  Which of your books is your favorite?

   

  Always the last one.

   

  Have any cats?

   

  No, but we have two shelter dogs. I keep fit taking them for a romp every morning.

   

  Double Dragon Publishing will be releasing your book, ‘Deadly Enterprise’.  What can you tell us about working with DDP?

   

  I like the openness and the cameraderie. When I first signed on I was invited to submit a story for Twisted Tales II. The established DDP authors didn't know me or my work but they were ready to take a chance on me. When I started looking for ways to promote the novel the group on DDP authors soon offered blog interviews and reviews. It feels as if I've found a home.

   

  What writing-based websites do you frequent?

   

  I have about 11 Yahoo writing groups, another three on Ning, and about three on Facebook. I'm talking to people who run group writers' blogs about joining and I keep joining more groups all the time. I don't have any major ones I visit as sites to guide my writing and promotion explorations but I think I will take stock of all of them when I've had a few months working to create a buzz for DE.

   

  Favorite color?

   

   Any colour but white is my favourite when the Canadian winter hits.

   

  Do you like to cook?

   

  I do, and have been doing a lot this past year or more since my wife has been ill and is slowly recovering her strength. I like spicy foods, Indian, Middle East, and Southern, but I have to keep my spice hand severely in check.

   

  Do you listen to music when you write?

   

   No, never, although I may sometimes hear music in the background from the next room.

   

  Did you write as a child?

   

  I rather think I did – and draw. I still have childhood books with drawings scribbled all over them. I composed my first work – a series on hand drawn comics when I was about 12.

   

  Any suggestions for improving teenage literacy?

   

   Sabotage all the TV stations. But seriously, we need to be mentors for all the Internet activity and show the young how to increase the depth of their own thinking by accepting good reading and disciplined writing as a guide for their lives.

   

  Any last thoughts?

   

  Yes, I'd better go and get supper started. Thanks for the interview, it has made me reflect on things I might take for granted.

  Chris.

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