Peter Lancett

Interview on Novel Gun Dog...

Bibliography:

The Shadowmasters Part One – Corruption (Bloodbinds Press)
The Shadowmasters Part Two – Redmption (Bloodbinds Press)
The Iron Maiden (BloodBinds Press)
The Dark Man series - 18 titles (Ransom Publishing)
Cutting Edge (series editor and contributing author)
Seeing Red (author)
Gun Dog (author)
Hanging In The Mist (author)

Hobbies and favourite books/authors:

Love to walk the dogs, Gus and Deke, on Auckland’s Takapuna Beach, translating Ancient Greek and Latin Classical literature and Studying western occult mysticism.

Favourite books:

Foucault’s Pendulum – Umberto Eco
Flashman (the whole series) – George MacDonald Fraser

Favourite Authors:

Umberto Eco
P G Wodehouse
George MacDonald Fraser
Clive Barker
Howard Philips Lovecraft

When did you started writing and why?

Started writing in 1990 when I found that I had a lot of time on my hands, working away from home and spending many dull nights in hotel rooms with no satellite/cable TV!!! Had always felt that I could write interesting stories, so I decided to put myself to the test and found that I really enjoyed doing it.

How and where you find inspiration?

I don’t need to be inspired to write. Certainly not now. I rarely write anything “on spec” these days, so I am writing specific projects for a specific audience. I currently write with another author who is published by Ransom – an American girl (Teresa Schaeffer) living in Maryland, USA. I suppose, during our prolonged video conference calls (courtesy of Skype), we inspire each other. We do feed off each other very well when it comes to developing story ideas.

How you go about research?

I do tend to put a lot of technical detail into my writing, and the internet is the perfect place to research. For example, in Gun Dog (a Cutting Edge novel published by Ransom) the lead character becomes obsessed by a hand gun he is forced to hide for someone else. I knew enough about weapons that I wanted the gun to be an automatic, and something not terribly exotic, so I decided on an American Ruger P95. But to make sure my description of the gun and its mechanisms and so on were accurate, I checked what I wrote against information found readily on the internet. Similarly, when I have written about foreign locations in the past, I have made sure that I know what districts and street names relate to each other by researching map books, travel guides, and the ever-present internet. You just have to be careful with information you find on the net, that it is accurate. So double checking is essential.

Creative writing tips:

Never EVER assume knowledge on the part of your readers. For example, if something in a character’s past is a reason for that character acting in a particular way in your story, make sure that your readers know about it. And also keep your characters consistent. It’s no good having your character acting in one way throughout the story and then having them act totally out of character just because it seems an easy way to get through a particular plot point later. Don’t be lazy about plot and character, is what I am saying. So, if your character hates heights, hates fairgrounds, it would be unbelievable to have him get on the Pepsi Max roller-coaster later in your story – unless you give him a good reason to. He might get on to impress a girl he’s just met. That would keep him consistent. He still HATES the ride, but he wants the girl more than he fears the roller-coaster. Don’t leave loose ends in the story, keep your characters believable.

Writing projects you are currently working on, including anything you’re doing not intended for publication:

Currently working on the novelisation of a feature film script that is in late stages of development for a major Hollywood studio. Also working with Teresa Schaeffer to create the story outline of the sequel to this movie.

With Teresa Schaeffer, developing a fiction television series called Elwood for a Hollywood production company.

Developing a series of plays based on The Dark Man, to be published by Ransom Publishing.

Developing a documentary script for a television programme concerning a fatal passenger plane crash and a fatal tunnel cave in that occurred forty years ago and only a few hundred metres apart in New Zealand.

Promotional services such as giving talks or writing workshops, and contact details:

Happy to give promotional talks to schools and other organisations in New Zealand (and when I am there, in Los Angeles). See feedback from my visit to Wakefield Young Offenders institute to see how effective this can be.

Contact: peter.lancett@xlitherfilms.com