“I’m a big fan of old-school sci-fi, and how they would riff on a future technological advancement and show all the terrible and amazing consequences it could have while still saying something about today’s world.”

~ David Gaughran 2 June 2011

The Back Flap

Molecular biologist Dr. Carl Peters is under pressure on two fronts: his research grants are disappearing and his marriage is falling apart. But when medical researchers discover that genetically modified animal feed has tainted the food chain, he finally gets the funding he always dreamed of.

Dr. Peters discovers the reason behind the cancer link with GM food, but it’s so crazy, he barely believes it himself.

TRANSFECTION is a 5,700 word, 23-page technothriller, starring a molecular biologist who makes a discovery that shocks the world, only to find his life under threat. His story takes in militant vegans, corruption, homelessness, university politics, radiation, the celebrity-obsessed media, and a shadowy conspiracy.

About the Book

What is the book about?

It’s what writers call a “high concept” story, which really means a “what if” story. You know the kind: what if cars could turn into robots, what if aliens existed and lived among us in secret, that kind of thing. I can’t tell you the concept without giving away the story, but I can say it’s about a molecular biologist called Dr. Carl Peters who is obsessed with his research to the point that his marriage is falling apart. It attempts to show how far somebody will go in pursuit of an idea, and how such single-mindedness can destroy your life. But it also takes shots at the celebrity obsessed media and how they allow themselves to be the mouthpieces of nefarious corporations.

When did you start writing the book?

I started it in mid-April, while I was waiting for my designer to finish the cover for my first release, but I had the idea percolating for a few months.  The best ideas are usually the ones that you leave alone. They come back to you when they are ready.

How long did it take you to write it?

The best stories always take the least time – especially with short stories. This one took two or three days. Editing was a little longer because the plot was quite complex for a short piece, and my beta readers were having trouble with parts of it, so I had to go through an extra couple of drafts to make it clearer.

Where did you get the idea from?

I was talking with a friend over a couple of drinks and we were speculating about genetically modified food and how we don’t really know the long-term effects of consuming it. I made a note about the idea then left it alone. It came back to me last month with the twist, then I knew it was ready. But that was only the very basic idea. It always changes completely. I never how the sentence I’m writing is going to end and I often surprise myself.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The ending. I have a habit of bringing down the curtain when the reader doesn’t expect it. I think all writers like to write the stuff they want to read, and I hate dragged out endings while the writer marries everyone off and ties up every single little plot thread. I like to be left with questions rather than answers. Sometimes I go too far though, but a simple suggestion from my beta reader revolutionized the ending and gave it an extra twist.

What came easily?

Most of the rest. When I get a good idea look this one, the whole story unfolds in front of me. Even though I am a fast typist, I still write everything by hand. It’s slower but the writing is much better. The only trouble is keeping up with my brain, which tends to race ahead. Sometimes I have to scrawl bullet points in the margins to keep track of the new ideas I have for upcoming scenes.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

All characters are Frankenstein. You take all the people you know, chop them up, mix them around, then sew them back together. If you do it well, no-one will see the stitches.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I love Haruki Murakami. He can take the reader anywhere and they don’t question it. He creates worlds which are very similar to our own, but where something is not quite right. This dislocation allows him to be very creative and suspends a huge amount of disbelief on the part of the reader to the point where a talking cat doesn’t even raise an eyebrow. But his themes are pretty normal, the anomie of the big city, the loneliness of modern life, the feeling of never being in control of your destiny; he just conveys them in an unusual way.

I think this story is influenced by Philip K. Dick in particular. I’m a big fan of old-school sci-fi, and how they would riff on a future technological advancement and show all the terrible and amazing consequences it could have while still saying something about today’s world. Dick was a master at dislocating the reader too. For pure love of language, I read a lot of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The first line of 100 Years of Solitude is the most perfect opener, and is a great example of his ability to put a whole world in a sentence.

Do you have a target reader?

Me. I think writers should try and write the books they like to read. It’s pretty much the only writing advice I give.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Chaotic. I write wherever, whenever, so I always have to carry a pen and paper. Ideas come at the funniest times. When I am knee-deep in a longer project, and really flowing, some structure does emerge. I write longhand, so in the mornings I type up what I wrote the day before, and that usually puts me in the correct mindset to start writing new stuff straight after I’m done.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just Chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

For short stories, never. It’s often just a title or a half-sentence and then away I go. If I plot out too much in advance, it boxes in the idea and suffocates the really creative part, i.e. when I am actually writing. I let the pen decide what happens – I just push it.

For novels, it’s a little different, I need some structure. I will often have four or five bullet points written out before I start a chapter, and sometimes I will do that a few chapters ahead if it’s a complicated plot, but that’s it.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Both. Each morning when I am typing up what I did the day before I will substantially re-work the material. I also do an editing pass every so often to make sure there are now plot holes or disappearing threads. At the end I will go over it all again, at least twice.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes. I believe it’s essential. I want my work to look as good, if not better, than anything coming from New York, so I have a professional cover designer, I hand-code all the formatting myself so it’s perfect, and I have a professional editor. I believe it’s the minimum requirement for success. You also need a great story, clever marketing, and a big dollop of luck, but you could drive all the people in the world to your Amazon page, and if they sample your work and see poor editing, they won’t buy it, no matter how exciting the story sounds.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Always. If I have nothing on, I can’t focus because I can hear every noise in the house. When music is playing, it acts as a sonic buffer, and just becomes wallpaper, I don’t even notice it. It can be anything as long as it’s not too intrusive. Although, I do remember that while writing this story, my better half walked in, and I was so into what I was doing I didn’t even notice the Queens of The Stone Age blaring away in the corner. Normally, it’s more mellow stuff while I am working, like Dylan, Neil Young, or some Northern Soul.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

For eighteen months. Got to the phone-call twice. One agent wanted to represent me, but then one day just stopped responding to emails. I doubt I will bother with that nonsense again.

What made you decide to go Indie? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I had been following the growth of self-publishing, but had always considered it as something for more established writers – those with an existing audience and backlists. I was sick in bed with the flu for a week when Amanda Hocking signed with a trade publisher and Barry Eisler walked away from half a million to go it alone. Those two events were a validation of self-publishing to me. I read everything I could for a week, then decided to do it myself. That was 6 weeks ago, and I have two titles up already and another few coming out over the next few months.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?

My sister is a pro book cover designer for one of the major publishers. She squeezes me in when she can, but it’s always worth the wait. If I didn’t have her I would spend the money.  A huge portion of my readers said they first checked out my books because of the covers. I think it’s a subtle cue to the reader that if you are willing to take the time over details like this that your story will also be professional quality. It may not always be true, but I think it works like that in some readers’ minds. I know it does in mine.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Yes and no. I have a grand overall master plan: release short stories in different genres individually for $0.99 and then sell collections of five for $2.99, then release a non-fiction project, and then when I have a “base”, I will release my novel. But from day-to-day I wing it. I’m experimenting with different things to drive traffic to my blog and my Amazon pages, and learning as I go.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Publish when your work is ready, not before. It’s the biggest mistake indies make. Make sure you have some kind of impartial critiquing system, whether that’s trusted, competent beta readers (who you listen to), an online forum, or a writing group, you must get outside opinions on your work. Writers must have unbelievable self-belief to carry themselves through to the end of a story, but must also be very self-critical to edit it correctly. This contradiction can lead to under-valuing or over-valuing your work, but second opinions can correct that.

If you are doing that, and you feel you are ready, dive in, the water’s warm. Don’t be intimidated by all the new stuff you have to learn. The self-publishing community is very welcoming and experienced writers will always take the time to help newbies. I know of no industry like it. It’s amazing how open everyone is with their information and experiences. Join a forum, get advice. All the information you need is online, and free. And for the love of God, don’t ever sign over a portion of your royalties to anyone, unless it’s a big trade deal that can guarantee you a huge marketing push.

About You

Where did you grow up?

In a small seaside town just north of Dublin, Ireland. The Irish all seem to be natural storytellers, and everyone is fond of tall tales and shaggy stories. Writing them down seemed an obvious step.

Where do you live now?

Stockholm, Sweden. Avoid the pickled herring, you will regret it.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I have a daily blog which covers writing, the book business, and provides a free guide into getting your stories into (digital) print. There’s always a good discussion going in the comments, and like all good journeymen, I take requests.

I’ve also embarked on The Never-Ending Blog Tour, so if you have a blog, and you want a day off, get in touch.

What are you working on now?

Too many things. I had planned to release a short story every two weeks this summer, but I think my cover designer is about to have a breakdown, so I’m going to slow that down a little.

In the meantime, I am working on a project called LET’S GET DIGITAL, DIGITAL. It’s a non-fiction book on the digital revolution and how the publishing industry has changed forever. It will teach you step-by-step how to e-publish your own stories, covering everything from formatting your book, marketing tips, and how to leverage social networking. It should be out in a month or two.

I also have a historical novel set in the early 1800s during the Argentine War of Independence. It will come out later this year. It’s been over three years in the making and is my pride and joy. Each new release is just a foundation for this monster! I could release it now, and I think it would do okay, but I want it to be perfect. If I get it right, I think it has a good chance of doing well.

End of Interview:

TRANSFECTION is available here.