…this is a Richard Stotty interview when he wrote Cryptic Lines…and it has already been adapted for stage and maybe for screen as well…?…that was also a planned adaption at the time of the interview…around 2016, I think…
What makes you fall in love with a story?
A story needs to grab me during its first page or, at least, its first chapter. The kind of subjects which appeal to me are things which are mysterious, with explicit or implied suspense.
What has been your worst or most difficult job? How does it compare to writing?
For a number of years I was working five evenings a week as a cocktail pianist in hotels and restaurants. It helped to pay the bills, but it was a thankless task. Writing is much more satisfying and rewarding.
Who or what are your non-writer influences?
It would have to be the combination of certain teachers of years gone by (both academic and musical) together with the music of certain composers, such as Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, Richard Rogers and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
If you could own a famous or historical art work, what would it be? Would you put it on public display or keep it privately?
Any painting by John Constable. All his works are amazing and capture the essence of their images perfectly – though I would probably keep mine for private viewing only!
Is there a book to movie/TV adaptation that you found excellent? How about book to stage adaptations?
Although it’s an old one, “Gone with the Wind” made the transition from book to movie brilliantly. Regarding book to stage…forgive me if I appear a little self-obsessed, but I was delighted with the adaptation for the stage of my novel “The Cryptic Lines” which was done by Pete Gallagher. He made a very fine job of it!
If you could sit down and have dinner with 5 dead authors, who would you invite to the table? What would they order?
Charles Dickens (Christmas turkey), Agatha Christie (Anything fine dining), Victor Hugo (Escargots), Robert Burns (Haggis), Shakespeare (Roast pheasant).
Side characters can make or break a story. What side characters have you enjoyed in other works? What side characters in your own work have caught more attention than you expected?
I’ve always loved the assistants – Dr. Watson, Captain Hastings etc. In my latest book, “A Looming of Vultures” (being published soon) a side character called Lukas was introduced just to provide some companionship to one of the main characters – but he ended up having a pivotal role to play as the story neared its conclusion.
What is the first book you remember reading on your own?
‘A’ is for apple, ‘B’ is for ball(!)
https://dabofdarkness.com/2016/10/23...cryptic-lines/