Chissick Chat, part thirty-three, with Glen Stansfield
As we head into summer, I'd like to welcome author Glen Stansfield to the Chissick Chat Blog!
Hi, and welcome to my blog. Please can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself and your books?
Hi, and thank you for having me. I’m Glen R Stansfield. I’m from a small town in the Lancashire Pennines, have lived a significant part of my adult life in Scotland, and currently reside in Bahrain where my work as an aircraft engineer has taken me.
I have published two crime novels.
The first, Fishing for Stones, is set in 1990 and is about a diamond robbery. Two friends discover information about a diamond deal about to take place in a remote inn, situated in the Scottish Highlands. They contrive a plan to relieve the merchants of their valuable stones, but first they must steal a helicopter to set their scheme in motion.
My second, Harry, is contemporary and centres around a former member of the Special Boat Services, who discovers he has a liking for killing. Twenty-five years after returning from the first Gulf war, this suppressed desire is triggered by the death of a former colleague. He sets about removing some of the low-life from the streets of Tower Hamlets in London.
What, or who, inspires you?
I was inspired to write by my primary teacher, Marcus Dearden. He encouraged many of us to set our minds free and to write from the imagination. Although he has long since passed away, I will never forget his support and encouragement.
Jules Verne inspired me to tell stories. I was reading his work at an early age and marvelled at his ability to take you ‘there.’
Do you enjoy reading the same genre as the one you write in?
For the past two years, I’ve found it very difficult to concentrate on reading anything, but I am slowly getting back into it. I do like reading crime but I will read almost anything as long as it is engaging, although I’m not very fond of horror. I can spook myself enough without having a book to help me.
Has any of your research taken you to an unusual place?
Physically, not so far, but my research often finds me working through research papers on drugs, or post-mortem reports to make sure I use the correct wording. My internet search history would make interesting reading to any police officer – price of trafficked humans - diamond prices in 1990 – how to attack a convoy – how an RPG works – drugs that will paralyse but not stop pain, etc.
What are you working on at the moment?
I have two works in progress at the moment, a follow on to Harry, and a crime fantasy, involving a dragon detective.
In addition, I write a weekly cookery column for a local publication in Bahrain, and a monthly op-ed for one of the regional glossy magazines
What are your future writing plans?
After the current follow on to Harry, I have a further two novels to write in the series. The crime fantasy will also lend itself into being part of a series.
I have plans to write a crime novel centring around the origin of my family name, which is from the 11th century, and I would like to have a go at science fiction, again with a crime theme.
I also plan to have a go at script writing, something in which I have a strong interest. Somewhere amongst all that, I plan to record an audio version of all my books. Then after lunch….
Is there anything you don’t like about writing/being an author?
Trying to get my books in front of readers. I have no trouble selling books at talks or fairs, but trying to get it in front of other readers I find immensely frustrating.
Quick Fire Questions …
Tea or coffee? Tea
Sweet snack or savoury snack? I have to choose? Both!
Real book or ebook? Real.
Cinema or DVD? Cinema.
Cat or dog? Cat, although we have a lovable dog too.
Weepie or action movie? Action.
And to Finish, What is your favourite …
Food? Anything Vietnamese.
Drink? Dark Rum and coke.
Movie? Ooh tricky. Star Wars, I think.
Book? Around the World in Eighty Days. It showed me how books can take people to other worlds.
Colour? Purple.
Saying/Proverb? Colourless green ideas sleep furiously – Chomsky. It shows that even though a sentence can be grammatically correct, it can still be nonsense – much like politicians really.
Song? Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin.
Pudding/dessert? Crème Caramel.
Thanks for joining me today, Glen, and please let us know any further developments with the scriptwriting!
