What made you decide to sit down and start something?
I tinkered, even as a kid. I was always making up stories in my head before I could write. Then I went into journalism but after a lifetime of telling other people’s stories I fancied doing some of my own.
Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere. I find a lot in newspapers and TV news. Sometimes they ping into my head unprompted or just drop out of the sky. There’s nothing like the thrill of a ‘what if?…’ moment. Many arrive at night which involves groping in the dark for my phone to note it down while it’s fresh. Ideas are wriggly and slip away as easily as they arrive if you don’t grab ’em.
What have you written to date?
I’ve written seven crime thrillers featuring wounded ex-soldier turned investigator Danny Lancaster, ‘Optimist in a hard world, reasonable rates, no job too small.’
They are:
- The Wreck Of The Margherita
- Death Squad
- Rough Diamond
- Rock Hard
- Gargoyle Pixie Dog
- Godlefe’s Cuckoo
- Last Orders.
Danny8 is my work in progress which, fingers crossed, will be published next spring.
I have also written three factual military histories. GUNNER is my dad’s diary of his Army service in Europe in World War Two.
A Crocus From Jerusalem is the diary of my grandfather’s brother killed in hand-to-hand fighting in Palestine in World War One. I still have the pressed crocus he sent his mum.
Pigtail Pilot is the story of a cousin on track to be the RAF’s first woman pilot before she was killed in an air crash.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to see where an idea takes you?
I like to have a beginning, middle and end in that order with, perhaps, a little flesh around the main elements. Good planning is vital but I’ve dug myself into a bit of a hole with Danny8, my current WiP, and am getting muddy digging myself out. That said, I’m cautiously pleased with the story so far, which is progressing well.
What kind of research did you do?
All sorts. The Internet is an obvious starting point but can’t always be trusted. Books and newspaper are a solid source but the best is probably first hand. I’ve spoken to soldiers, police officers, lifeboat crew, sailors, medical people, all sorts. Most are surprisingly keen to help. This approach also throws up anecdotes and personal experiences which can be useful. Research is a voyage of discovery, great fun.
Do you proofread/edit your own books or do you get someone else to do it?
As a journalist and sub editor I’m used to checking my own copy but you should never sign off your own work.
With Danny, family and friends read early drafts. Then I pass the finished book to a trusted reader for spelling and expert input on plot, pace, characterisation and all the other essential building blocks.
How are you publishing your book? Indie, traditional or both?
Indie. My books are available through a number of outlets worldwide but the main one for ebooks and paperbacks is Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Danny-Lancaster-7-book-series/dp/B09336K12Q
What are your views on social media?
A snake pit. Most platforms are ok-ish but X, aka Twitter, is utterly humourless and can get crazy. For an indie author, it’s a necessary evil to promote books. It’s a big chicken and egg. You need a high profile for people to find you but people can’t find you if you don’t have a high profile. Apart from post-publication book tours, there aren’t many shop windows for indie authors so social media is essential.
What is the hardest thing about writing a book?
The writing. Even when I’m fired up I can still fritter away an alarming amount of time in displacement activity, usually games of Solitaire, before hitting the keys. It’s like jumping into ice cold water, daunting to look at but wonderful once you’re in.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
You can find Danny on a variety of platforms.
Website: https://www.billtodd.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DannyLancasterInvestigates
Twitter: https://x.com/williamjtodd
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5804102.Bill_Todd