Interview With Author Steve Hester, Author of Gothic.
Interview by: Brittany Perez (Oh My Bookness)
February 13, 2015
Interview with the author of Gothic, Steve Hester. Gothic is Steves debut novel, a fun, thrilling story that has its quirks. Riding on the edge between thriller with mix of witty reprortaje so it's not just all serious and makes for a great leisure read for any fan of mysteries, horror, thriller genres.
1. What do you think most characterizes your writing?
I'd like to think what characterises my writing is a good mix of humour and drama. It was something I wanted in from the very start; I didn't want everyone to be going round talking to each other in a very serious, po-faced way. You need to have those moments of light and dark, and I hope I've been able to pull it off. We live in a world after all that takes us on ups and down all the time, if it was all on the same level it would get very dull.
2. What was the hardest part of writing this book?
I'm a massive procrastinator so actually fighting myself to get the job of writing done is hardest! Other than that it's the big ideas; the big over arching story, where does it need to end up and how can it get there while still making sense and being satisfying is tricky. Usually the little things evolve and grow out of those big ideas and help to flesh out the story. It's planting the tree that takes the effort, the branches take care of themselves.
3. What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The book came about from an idea I'd had some years ago. It was a script at the time so when it came to take it from one form to another the most fun part was fleshing out the world and adding more depth and backstory to the characters. In the script they weren't flat but there was the bare minimum of depth needed for the story, with the book it was fun opening up their stories and fleshing them out. Jacob's history with an agent named Andrea came from this process. Now not only does it tell you more about him but it also has given me a new plot point to use at some point in the future.
4. Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?
I like fantasy and sci-fi. I like the unusual, particularly if it has some grounding in the everyday such as shows like Doctor Who or the X-files. No matter how crazy they get, there is always a foot in the mundane world that makes it all the more real to me. Taking the ideas for the fantasy/supernatural elements in the story and dropping them into an environment that most of us are familiar with is a lot of fun.
5. How long have you been writing?
I've been writing since I was about 12 but it wasn't till I was about 18 that I managed to finish a story. Since then I've mostly used it as an intellectual exercise mostly until recently when I've decided to do something with it. Gothic is my first novel but there's been several plays and short films that I've written, some being made. They've mostly been scripts instead of books as, being an actor as well, it's nice to give yourself work!
6. What kind(s) of writing do you do?
See number 5. 😄
7. How did you come up with the story Idea?
The full story behind the origin of Gothic is explained in full at the start of the novel but long story short it came from seeing a random plaque on the door of an old Edwardian fire station. The building had been empty for years and the plaque seemed so out of place I couldn't help think on it. The idea just grew from there really. Most of my ideas tend to grow out of wandering thoughts and unusual clashes like "how would Wolverine get on aboard the starship Enterprise?" Sure someone's already thought of that one but that's an example.
8. What inspired the idea for the book? Did you have any help coming up with the idea?
The story for the original story just came out as I was writing. It started of as a film script and I didn't do any plotting, just sat down, typed and waited to see what came out. I went back again and took the first third of that script and turned it into what would be a pilot tv script, making many changes along the way. Characters changed, plot points changed and some ideas had to be dropped altogether as the revised story either didn't have room for them or they weren't working anymore. The end of this story was originally the end of the first act of the original script but now it was an end it threw up a lot of issues. Fortunately I have a friend who I used to bounce ideas off and he gave me a few good ones in return, including one that got me out of a big hole!
9. Which of your characters is your favorite and why
I'm not sure if I have a favourite character. Some are easier to write than others and some are a lot more fun to write than others; Smithy, for example, is basically me complaining all the time. When I'm writing his parts I just ask myself what I would do and it's normally grumble and moan. Even though I'm not saying he's my favourite, I do like writing Jacob the most. I think he's honest. He will say it like it is and will do what he has to for the world and the people round him, even though he clearly feels way out of his depth. For me personally, he's a mix of Sam Vimes from the Discworld books and Mal Reynolds from Firefly. He's an everyday guy who just happens to be doing a strange and stressful job, dealing with it as best he can.
10. Where and when do you like to write
I don't write well at home. I'm like a puppy at home, leaping on each new distraction and losing focus too easily. Being a life long gamer is anathema to focused creativity and if I'm at home it won't be too long before I'm watching Top Gear or firing up my xbox. I like to get out of the house and go to one of the cafes near me, order a latte and listen to some music that might help the scene I'm trying to create. Being isolated away from distraction really helps me and that's my favourite way to do it.
11. What advice do you have for someone just starting out?
Not sure if I'm in a position to give advice but if I had to say anything it would be to just write. Some of your stuff will be great, some will be awful but even in that there could be something that can be polished. Just keep going, if only to please yourself with what you create.
12. Where to purchase the book and author follow ex. Blogs, webpages, goodreads, Twitter, smash words, Amazon, etc.
Gothic only exists as ebook at the moment but you can pick up a copy, for free, through most ebook retailers (except kindle at the moment) or through Smashwords at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/500427. If you want to follow me and hear my ridiculous rantings on Twitter by following @stevehester. Which is me by the way. :)
About The Author
Steve Hester is bipedal organism in his mid thirties who’s normally a professional actor (and sometime drama teacher) living just outside Manchester in England. He has a fondness for playing video games, Irish whiskey and enjoys complaining about stuff in what is hopefully an amusing way.
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Keep, update on upcoming book reviews, giveaways, author interviews and more.
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Goodreads
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Twitter ( Design Wondeland- illustrator designer, graphic designer, painter, digital designer, does/ worked in social media curating)
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