Interview With Author Chris Wood
A Look at Comedy, Self Publishing and The World of Crime
Apr 16, 2009 Dulcinea Norton-Smith
Chris Wood is the author of Sherlock Holmes and the Underpants of Death and the non-fiction The Ingredients of a Good Thriller. Having had experience of the newspaper office, reviewing books, traditional publishers and self publishing he took time out to talk to Suite 101 about his experiences and inspirations.
So from Sherlock Holmes and the Underpants of Death to The Ingredients of a Good Thriller. Crime obviously plays a big part in your work but what inspired you to write these books?
They started life in completely different ways. I’ve always loved crime and detective stories, going back to when I was a child. When I thought about a writing guide, thrillers were a natural place to go. It’s an area I’m very enthusiastic about.
As to the Holmes spoofs, years ago I was writing for serious newspapers and magazines. The format was straitlaced and quite dull, also I had very little space. So being able to spread my wings and throw in anything I liked was a great departure … and the book took off from there!
Did you use a traditional publisher or did you opt for the self publishing route?
Some of the Holmes parodies have been published in France, by Edition Rivages, but in England publishers are a little more reserved about trying such departures. As I was self publishing that book, I thought I’d do the same with the thriller writing guide. I’m pleased with the results so far, but it’s been a huge amount of work.
Many authors now seem to be going down the self publishing route. What place do you think that the self publishing holds in the literary world nowadays and do you think that it is a useful tool?
It’s a great tool for putting out authors who would not otherwise get a chance. Readers will decide for themselves which books are worth their time. Very few traditional publishers will give a new author a chance, and their process takes a very long time. So going it alone has many advantages.
In your book The Ingredients of a Good Thriller you mention a lot of films within the thriller genre. Which is your favourite thriller or crime film character and why?
There are so many! I have a lot of time for certain actors and directors – Clint Eastwood, James Cagney, Bogart, Scorsese, Hitchcock … but if I had to pick one character, it would be Sherlock Holmes. As to one film, that would have to be “Goodfellas.”
Sherlock Holmes and the Underpants of Death has more than just a touch of humour. Which comedians make you laugh the most?
In terms of stand up, Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey and Dylan Moran are amazing. Frankie Boyle and Alan Carr are great to watch, as well. Also, George Carlin and Bill Hicks did incredible work.
And again, there are so many. I love Spike Milligan and Peter Cook, and PG Wodehouse is probably the world’s most underrated author. I’d have to say that I love slapstick, as well – films like “The Naked Gun” crack me up in the silliest way possible.
You have worked in the world of words for quite a while outside of your two books. What other writing have you done?
I’ve reviewed several hundred books, and written about a variety of subjects. Writing about stand-up comedy was interesting, because I decided to try it for myself! Talk about nerve-wracking …
Some of the interviews were fascinating. PJ O’Rourke was great to talk to, also Ralph Steadman – he had a lot to say about Hunter S Thompson, which was great, because I wondered how somebody could go about working alongside someone with such habits. I think Joseph Heller was probably the most surprising, though – apparently he enjoyed his experiences in the Second World War. I did not expect that!
So you have thrillers at the core of your interests. Do you think you could ever write a romance?
Certainly as part of a story, in fact I’m giving that some thought at the moment for a book I’m currently working on. In terms of the whole story, though … the jury’s out!
How long did it take you to write each of your books? Did you have a favourite time of day and place to write?
I wrote most of “The Ingredients of a Good Thriller” in six months. The Sherlock Holmes spoofs were written over about a decade! I wrote the first when I was 22, and the most recent last year, when I was 33. So there’s variety for you …
I like writing in the evening, if I’m at home. If I’m out of the house, then basically any time of day, apart from first thing in the morning – that really is hard to accomplish.
Do you have any advice for anyone out there who wants to write a book but just hasn't taken the plunge yet?
I’d say grit your teeth and dive in! Normally I don’t have much time for cliches, but there is one that states, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” and that is so true.
A lot of it is confidence, and frankly, nobody need see your work to begin with. Get something down first of all. You can alter it later – the important thing is to get the ball rolling.
Chris Wood's book The Ingredients of a Good Thriller (LDB Publishing, ISBN 1906669007) can be found on Amazon UK and Amazon U.S. where you can also find Sherlock Holmes and the Underpants of Death.
Chris Wood
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Sherlock Holmes and the Underpants of Death
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The Ingredients of a Good Thriller
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