Day 1
1.What
is your latest book or the one to be featured? what genre?
Shades of Persephone is the
novel I wish to feature. It is best described as a literary mystery, although it can also be classified as
mythological, espionage, and romance.
2. Where
did the idea arise?
While
travelling around the Mediterranean, I fell in love with the old Venetian
harbour of Chania, a city on the north coast of Crete, reputed to be the oldest
site of western civilization in Europe. What a setting for fiction! What plots
might have unfolded here given the fascinating history of the island! Why not a
contemporary one?
Inspired
by ubiquitous mythical signage, but especially by Lawrence Durrell’s The Alexandria Quartet and John Fowles’ The Magus, novels I was reading at the
time, I began sketching out plausible characters of varying backgrounds,
foremost among whom, Steven Spire, a young expat as narrator and central
character of artistic temperament in need of purpose. Bar and café conversations
led to hints of foreign intrigue. Ancient ruins gave way to Nazi runes. Crooked
laneways led to mountain retreats and buried secrets. Hydra-headed truth
demanded a place on the table along with the ouzo and artichoke hearts. And
love, naturally, raised all expectations with the birth, mirroring Aphrodite’s
rise from the sea, of Magalee De
Bellefeuille.
3. How much research was involved? Did you stay on point or get distracted
by wanting to look at one thing more?
Research into local and European history was time
consuming. So much to understand as far as story background was concerned. I
also needed to appreciate the significance of Greek mythological characters and
how they might influence the characters I was bringing to life. Easy to be
distracted in that world for sure. Most enjoyable is research done
in situ, Greece with respect to Shades Of
Persephone,
4. How
long did it take to write the book?
It took a good year to bring all elements of the story
together. However, the writing is never finished. Improvements are always
possible. But then we move on to other themes and other plots.
5.How
long have you been writing? Sun sign?
I have been
involved in serious writing since retiring in 1999. Aries motivates me in my efforts to write about the world I inhabit
and the one I imagine.
6. Do
you write in a number of genres or stick to just one?
I
attempt to write literary fiction that entertains while being socially
relevant. I lean towards mystery, with romantic entanglement an integral part
of the action. Greek mythology and literary allusion underpin plot development.
Irony is pervasive.
7. Where
on the internet can you be found?
reedstirlingwrites.com
https://bookswelove.net/stirling-reed/
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/bookswelove
Amazon
Author central: https://authorcentral.amazon.comgp/home
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