In a more fun post, I’ve spoken to crime fiction writer turned musician Peter May about his amazing books and his plans for his retirement.
Please tell me about your books. What’s your writing process?
I have written 31 books – 30 novels and a photographic book which illustrates all the island locations in my Lewis Trilogy. The trilogyitself is my bestselling series of books, having sold more than 3million copies in the UK alone.
My books, worldwide, have sold around 16 million copies, and are translated into nearly 40 languages. My writing process involves around 3 to 4 months of research andstory development. This would normally included a trip to the majorlocation to ensure authenticity – I never write about a place I haven’t been to.
At this point I would write a very detailed story synopsis of around 25,000 words, scene by scene from start to finish. I find it easier this way, to re-think, unpick and change story structure, than to “fly by the seat of my pants” and have to re-write a whole manuscript.
When I am happy with the synopsis, I start to write. I get up at 6am, write 3000 words a day, and am generally finishedafter 6 to 8 weeks.
How did you start writing crime fiction and what is it you love about the genre?
I am an accidental crime writer. When I quit TV, where I worked as a screenwriter and producer, I wrote a book set in China. Its theme was genetic food manipulation. In order to tell my story, I began the book with a murder, and created two main characters – a cop and a pathologist – and was able to unpack the story through their investigation.
Effectively it became a crime thriller. And, of course, once your publisher – and your readers – decide that you are a crime writer, you become trapped in that genre (any genre, of course, simply being a marketing tool). Not that I was unhappy to write crime. It is a genre that allows you to fully explore the humancondition, and how people respond to life under pressure.
Do you prefer writing standalone novels or books as part of a series?
I have done both. My background in serial drama for television, meant that I enjoyed creating a set of characters to lead through different situations – the China Thrillers, the Enzo Files, the Lewis Trilogy. But I also take pleasure in the variety of writing standalonebooks, getting to know new characters and locations, and I havewritten 12 such novels.
Talk to me about your career background. How did you become a writer and how does your work in TV influence your writing?
I first went into journalism, as a way of making a living by writing. It wasn’t the kind of writing I wanted to do, but at the time (early seventies) there was no career path to becoming a writer, no creative writing courses. But after selling a TV series about an investigative reported to the BBC, I went full time into television – asa scriptwriter, script editor and story editor, before becoming a producer.
Working as a scriptwriter taught me all about writing dialogue, developing character and advancing plot through dialogue alone. I took this skill with me into novel writing, where my dialogue presents much the same function.
What books do you like reading yourself? Any authors you’re particularly fond of?
After years of researching my novels, most of my reading background is in non-fiction, which I still enjoy today. Many of my early fiction influences, however, came from writers like Graham Greene, Ernest Hemingway and J.P. Donleavy. In the crime genre I loved Raymond Chandler and Georges Simenon.
If you could collaborate with anyone, living or dead, on a writing project, who would it be and why?
My wife, Janice Hally, a writer whom I met while working in television. We created and worked together on a long-running series, which I produced. She is someone whose story judgment I trust implicitly.
What books are you looking forward to in the future?
I have retired from writing books now, and am happy just to read for pleasure.
What’s next for you? Any new projects you’re excited about?
My latest project involves a return to my musical roots – I played in bands all through my teens and twenties. Having built a recording studio at my home, I have just released an album of 11 songs, “Towards The Light”, which I have written in collaboration with Irish lyricist Dennis McCoy.
Information about it, along with lyrics andlinks to download or stream the songs, can be found at: https://www.ur-web.net/PeterMayMusic/index.html
Do you have anything to add?
That’s it. I’m looking forward to a long and happy retirement writing and recording music.
Massive thanks to Peter for taking the time to answer my questions. I’m excited to listen to your music. If you’re interested in learning more about Peter’s work, check out his website HERE.
