An Authors Life: Interviews with Speculative Fiction Authors
C. Craig R. McNeil is a Speculative Fiction author who has independently released two novels, An AtlanteanTriumvirat and Ghosts of the Past.
"It's the mid 1930s. Having discovered Atlantis and long lost technology at the end of the 19th century, Britain waxed into an all powerful superpower dominating the seas and skies with mighty dreadnaughts capable of levelling entire armies. But something evil is abroad seeking to undermine the peaceful British Empire... John Murdoch, James Riley and Jane Archer criss cross the world, determined to restore stability to the world."
Craig recentlytook some time out from his busy schedule to answer some questions about being an author, exclusively for The Speculative Fiction Writer's Toolkit.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
That’s a difficult question! I’ve always been interested in writing and have certainly enjoyed it from an early age. On and off over the years I wrote maybe a few thousand word stories just for my own entertainment but it wasn’t until I had a shift pattern change at my work that meant I had free time in the morning that I really knuckled down and started working on more expansive and in depth stories.
What draws you to Speculative Fiction in particular?
My imagination is too far out to be limited and fenced in by the restrictive fields of ‘normal’ fiction. Give my books a glance through and you’ll see what I mean – dinosaurs, Nazis, Atlantis, AIs, robots… And that’s just in one book! Imagination deserves freedom!
How do you approach the writing process? Are you a planner or do you just jump in gung-ho?
A planner? A planner?!? Me? Hah! I’m definitely a bit more of a gung-ho Rambo suck it and see type of person. I do have a very, very basic plan on how I want the story/ book to progress but outside that skeletal framework anything goes. I’m not necessarily sure this is the right approach though I’ve had no complaints from my readers!
How much and how often do you write? Can you churn out thousands of words a day or do you prefer to take it slowly?
I work full time and have a family so the only time I can really write is for about 40 minutes during my lunch break which can be quite frustrating. I tend to bang out around 500 words a day which I find enough to keep everything on track.
Do you focus more on characters or plot, and why?
Definitely plot which in my opinion is not a good thing. I try really hard to make my characters two dimensional people that readers can emphasize with because characters and their feelings are important. However, my plots are fairly fast moving and so much happens that even when writing, you are pulled on by the force of events and the people are left behind.
What do you do when you get stuck on a particular scene or plot problem?
I normally have a couple of storylines on the go at once so that when I get stuck/ bored with one section I just jump over to the next. There was one particular section in my second book (Ghosts of the Past - plug, plug!) quite near the beginning that I was struggling quite hard to complete. As it turned out, I didn’t actually complete it until I’d finished the remainder of the book. I don’t worry about leaving bits unfinished as it gives me something to look forward to and to think about while finishing the rest.
As an aside, if I get really stuck then I few cups of black coffee usually get the ideas flowing. Failing that, a couple of beers followed by a few whiskies work – it’s reading the handwriting that’s the problem there though!
What is your editing process?
There are editing processes?!? Seriously, I read, re-read and read my manuscript again and again. I also ask for help proofreading on the Chronicles Network forums as there are some fabulous people on there who often pick up on some glaring errors that I’ve missed.
Do you get outside opinions on your work before you submit it, and if so from whom?
I often get opinions as part of the proofreading process. I always take them onboard but you have to be quite strict when it comes to other people’s opinions. After all it’s my book, I know the history of the world and the characters set within it. I don’t care if I’ve broken several unbreakable physics rules. It’s fine! So thick skin is the order of the day…
Do you have any exciting new projects in the works?
Book three, book three and did I mention book 3? That’s Book 3 in the series that I’m writing at the moment. Given how time poor I am, it’s a bit of a nuisance only being able to write one thing at a time but hey! it could be worse!
What is the best tip that you can give to aspiring writers?
Forget about the money and write for the enjoyment.
C. Craig R. McNeil lives in Dunfermline, Scotland. He has written two Speculative Fiction novels that he released through his website - www.CraigMcNeil.com - which have racked up quite a few downloads between them. He is still searching for the Sandman in his dreams.
