Five Quick Questions with Luke Devenish

Empress of Rome: Den of Wolves is the debut novel for Luke Devenish. It is 44 BC and the rival powers of Rome are driving the republic to a violent end. A soothsayer foretells that the young Tiberius Nero, if he is wed to his cousin, the darkly beautiful Livia Drusilla, will sire four kings of Rome. Fuelled by ambition, Livia devotes her life to fulfilling the prophecy. No crime is too great when destiny beckons. So begins a murderous saga of sex, corruption and obsession at the dawning of the age of emperors. Narrated by the 100-year-old slave Iphicles, DEN OF WOLVES brings to life the great women of imperial Rome - Livia, Julia, Antonia and Agrippina - women who relied on their ambition, instincts and cunning to prosper.

Luke has kindly agreed to join us and answer five quick questions.

What's one thing we may not know about Luke Devenish?

When I was sixteen I won the 2nd Annual (and last ever) Channel Seven/Western Mail Young Writer's Award back in Perth, where I grew up. It was a big deal. I entered with a play I wrote called 'Murder is Gauche', which was a juvenile piss-take on all things Christie. Clearly it was a very slim field that year because I won first prize, which was a trip to Sydney to attend a two week course at Film School. Photographers coming to my school was something of a tip-off regarding my win before the actual announcement was made - as was the sight of the normally austere Deputy Principal Mr Hopkins nearly wetting himself with excitement. No one EVER won ANYTHING at my school, so I was latched onto as a poster boy. On the day of the prize giving ceremony I assembled with the other place-getters and all our proud parents and teachers at Curtin University. This award was such a big deal that then Premier Brian Burke was coming along to make a speech and give out certificates. At least, he was coming along in theory... The minutes turned into hours and the Premier still hadn't shown up. But I didn't care. I just sat in the front row in a grinning daze. Finally Burkie burst into the hall, gasping and puffing, swathed by his cronies. He made a very hasty and somewhat incoherent speech and then shook my hand for the photographers. His grip was rather moist - like a fresh baked muffin. Then he was out of there at light speed and it was all over. I went off to Sydney and had a marvellous time, even though the Film School was in North Ryde and I never saw the Harbour Bridge until the taxi took me back to the airport. I was so terminally adolescent that I never wrote anybody any thank you letters for the kindness that was shown to me. What an ingrate! Not long after that, the Young Writer's Award folded. Not long after that, the Western Mail folded. And just a few short years after THAT, Premier Brian Burke himself folded in a welter of ignominy and scandal. The moral to all this is that if any writer feels they are but weak and insignificant, think again. My juvenile writing and adolescent thoughtlessness combined to bring down a newspaper and a government. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

What television show would you like to make a guest appearance on?

Well, 'Mornings with Kerry-Anne', obviously. People tell me she she plays champagne binge drinking games with you afterwards. And if you're really lucky you get to join her in a chorus of 'I Am What I Am'. It's the promise of that sort of thing that got me into this writing game.

What's your greatest sporting moment?

I'm a past master of quiet and dignified suffering in the name of humiliation and so many such moments have been enjoyed upon the sporting field. I can't catch, can't throw, I run like a girl and I deserved all the rocks that were chucked at me by disgusted school mates during my formative years. In primary school I got myself seconded into the so-called 'chess club' on Friday afternoons just so I could get out of it. I had mixed success - I can't play chess for nuts either. In Year Eight I developed tendinitis in my Achilles heel (God knows how) and rejoiced when it got me out of footy and cricket. I kept up that fake limp for six months. When I was in Year Eleven a very good friend was made captain of the red faction for our school swimming carnival. The backstroke lacked competitors so she thought it'd be funny to put me in it. I'd never swum backstroke in my life but was too nice to let her down. Not only did I come last in the event, but I came last in the next race too - they started it while I was still in the pool. All of these things hardened my character nicely, thanks. Ideal for anyone who writes for a living.

What's your ideal holiday destination?

Well, my other half and I had a very jolly couple of weeks in Amsterdam a couple of years ago and we would go back there at the drop of a hat. We had a hotel room with big, wide windows where you could sit on the sill and look down on the Herengracht canal for lots of people watching, Netherlands style. We were there in high summer when it doesn't get dark until midnight and then gets light again at 4.00am, so we lost all sense of time. Amsterdam is a very beautiful city and we did a lot of walking, eating and art consuming - which is a passion we share. We were NOT there for sleaze, but half way through the holiday we discovered the difference between those delightful establishments called Coffee Houses and those equally delightful dens of iniquity called Coffee Shops. In the former you get coffee and cakes. In the latter you get hydroponically grown products with names like 'Scud Missile' and 'AK47'. "When in Amsterdam..." we naively cried as we bought some. Then we cried again - like babies, really - when our consumption of this product caused us to lose all sense of reason and direction in our efforts to find the hotel when all the canals now looked the same and, what's more, everyone wanted to kill us. NEVER. AGAIN. Or at least until our next visit, when we probably will have recovered to some extent.

How many comments to this blog post would I need to have you read and comment on my first thriller, The Interrogator?

Oh, probably none. I like the cut of your jib already, JJ. Just TRY to stop me commenting.

Thanks, Luke. Please check Luke's website for all of the details of Empress of Rome: Den of Wolves.

JJ

If you enjoyed this interview, why not have a look at my other interviews with Will Lavender, Kelly Curtis, Lisa Unger, JA Konrath, Laura Benedict and Ed Lynskey.

Nothing To Lose by Lee Child

I finally got my hands on Nothing To Lose by Lee Child. And now I give myself a lttle kick for waiting so long. I justified not rushing out to buy it this time by concentrating on my WIP. But, I just had to put it aside and dive into the latest book by my favorite thriller writer.

At the speed of a thousand startled Gazelles I ploughed through Nothing To Lose. As usual, I just couldn't put down the page-turning adventures of Jack Reacher. I don't want to give away any spoliers, but I just want to add that I enjoyed the couple of slight 'flaws' creeping in for the main character.

I'm a big fan of Mr Child's style of writing, in particular when his books are written in the third person point of view.

Another great read.

JJ

The First Chapter

I've had a few questions lately along the lines of - 'how important is the first chapter?', 'how do you know where to start the book?' and 'should I give the background information for the story up front?'.

The first chapter is where the author has the opportunity to grip the reader's attention. Get them involved so they know that this is a story that won't be putting down real soon. The first chapter should introduce your main character/s in a situation of conflict. And that situation should announce the theme of the book.

The first chapter should start just before a major scene or the build up to one. For example, in my first book the main character finds himself on the wrong side of his favoured skill, interrogation. I introduced the main character in a situation of conflict and in a seemingly impossible circumstances that he needs to escape from.

A lot of first-time writers want to start their book with background information that they think the reader would need to know. I tend to think this is because authors spend so much time developing their character/s that we want to impart all of that information to our reader straight away. Not necessary. A paragraph here or there throughout the book in the narrative or through dialogue can fill in the gaps on background information that value-adds to the story.

The first paragraph needs to captivate or hook the reader. Give them something that spikes their interest to keep on reading. Last thing we want to do is bore the reader - that applies to the whole story, but to do it in the first paragraph can lose a lot more potential readers. I also think it is important to introduce the main character into the first paragraph. It lets the reader know who they are dealing with for the rest of the book. It gives them an initial visual that will shape their perceptions along the journey.

First chapters take time to get right. Don't be afraid of spending the extra time on this part of the book. We need to get it right for our readers. So, no backstory or flashbacks (and please no dream scene straight away), introduce your main character in a sitaution of conflict and make sure we hook the reader right from the start.

JJ

Dialogue

I love writing dialogue. I think I could write a whole novel of dialogue. Sadly, I don't think readers want a complete story of dialogue alone. Anyway, thought I'd share some interchanges between characters in my WIP. Enjoy.

“I'm Detective Peterson and this is Detective Green.” The female looked up and nodded. “For legal purposes, this interview is being recorded by the two cameras you see in the room. They are being controlled by a Police Officer behind the mirror. Do you understand?

Jay nodded, knowing he needed to agree aloud for recording purposes.

“You will have to give a verbal response to all questions asked.”

“What if I don’t want to respond?”

“Well you’ll have to give a verbal response that you don’t want to respond.”

“That doesn’t make sense, Detective Peterson. By giving the verbal response, I am responding. So it defeats the purpose of not responding.”

The two Detectives looked at one another and Peterson looked at the mirror before staring back at Jay. “Just answer the questions you want to answer verbally, not just by nodding or shrugging. Okay?”

Jay felt like nodding, but didn’t want to push it - yet. “Yes.”

“Good. Now, for the record, could you state your full name and address?”

Jay did and added, “Would I be able to see your official identification, please?”

The Detectives looked at one another again before Peterson spoke. “We're in a Police Station and I have told you who we are.”

Jay shrugged. “You never know.”

They took out their badges and held them up quickly for Jay to see. He only wanted to know their first names – Stephen and Joanna.

“Satisfied?” Peterson asked. The red rising in his cheeks.

Detective Green looked at Jay. “Okay…Mr Ryan. Mind if I call you Jay?” Her voice was soft and inviting.

“Mind if I call you Jo?”

“Umm…”

“What the hell are you playing at, Ryan?” Peterson almost burst out of his seat. “This is bullshit. You want to jerk us around? Stop with the smartass comments and just answer the questions.”

JJ

Five Quick Questions with Ed Lynskey

Ed Lynskey's first two books are mysteries featuring his P.I. Frank Johnson: THE DIRT-BROWN DERBY and THE BLUE CHEER. His latest release, a thriller titled PELHAM FELL HERE has recived great reviews form the likes of James Crumley, James Rollins, Kevin O'brien and Anne Frasier.

Ed has kindly agreed to join us and answer five quick questions.

What's one thing we may not know about Ed Lynskey?

Years ago I took a complete spin around the Indianapolis International Speedway. The guide told us where everybody had wiped out and gave us a card of proof at the end.

What television show would you like to make a guest appearance on?

Career-wise as an author, OPRAH, without a doubt would punch your ticket.

If using a time machine, the DICK CAVETT SHOW with Janis Joplin as a co-guest or the STEVE ALLEN SHOW with Lenny Bruce as a co-guest.

What's your greatest sporting moment?

I scored the only run in a Pony League game for our baseball team. I even made the box score even if they misspelled my name.

What's your ideal holiday destination?

Bermuda in August. Great food and greater views.

How many comments to this blog post would I need to have you read and comment on my first thriller, The Interrogator?

No blog comments are needed for me. I was already intrigued enough to read it. Best of luck with it and for having me aboard, sir!

Thanks, Ed. Please check this website for all of the details of Pelham Fell Here.

JJ

If you enjoyed this interview, why not have a look at my other interviews with Will Lavender, Kelly Curtis, Lisa Unger, JA Konrath and Laura Benedict.