Partly from my own experience as a volunteer for Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. I wanted to take certain arguments to logical extremes and see where they led.
Andrew Hanson – 16 July, 2015
The Back Flap
In the year 2030, London is recovering from a disastrous flood, which some say was caused by climate change. When a controversial talk-show host is murdered, suspicion falls on radical activist Ben Martins. Ben may be innocent, but he has no sympathy for the victim, and risks becoming embroiled in ever more dangerous schemes. If protecting the planet can justify anything, is Ben a pragmatist or a terrorist? And why does CCTV footage of the murderer show someone dressed distinctively like Ben?
As friends and loved ones become involved, Ben’s thinking and loyalties are tested. Caught on the hard edge of radicalism, he must make choices that will affect the rest of his life – and the lives of those he has never even met.
About the book
What is the book about?
The book is about environmental activism and the lure of extremism.
When did you start writing the book?
In the spring of 2010.
How long did it take you to write it?
About two years on and off. Then there has been a hiatus while I was busy with other projects, followed by editing, review, and guess what, more editing!
Where did you get the idea from?
Partly from my own experience as a volunteer for Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. I wanted to take certain arguments to logical extremes and see where they led.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Yes – writing the dialogue in group scenes where there are several people in conversation at once. It is difficult in such scenes to ensure that the voices are sufficiently distinct, and to make sure that there aren’t too many tags or too much ‘stage direction’. With multiple re-writes I think I achieved that, and I’ve had some enthusiastic feedback on the group meetings from some readers.
What came easily?
I’ve always been inspired by the beauty and fragility of the natural world, and some of the descriptive passages flowed quite well. My own concerns over the long-term impacts of climate change on humanity and wildlife formed much of the motivation for writing the book.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
They were meant to be entirely fictitious. Yet every author borrows some traits and ideas from themselves and their acquaintances. What is most embarrassing about Greenies is that it turns out I once met a Friends of the Earth member in Birmingham, years before I started on the book, who has the same name as the central character! I can’t remember anything about this man, and Ben is in no way based on him, but perhaps there’s something buried in my brain.
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?
Richard Price’s book Lush Life is a spectacular example of a pared down, modern style, which still feels rich to read. I wish my dialogue could be as good as his. Jonathan Frantzen’s The Corrections’is a wonderful book. More recently I have doubtless been confusing my writing brain by reading Henry James…
Do you have a target reader?
The book is meant to be accessible to anyone, but I guess my target reader would be someone who likes to read thought-provoking, serious thrillers, who wants tension but also a believable world with some comments and questions about our own.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I always try to write in the mornings as that is when I’m most productive. I start with character notes and a detailed plot plan, then build that up chapter by chapter. Then research is needed for detail and a reality check, and then I’m finally ready to start the first draft.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Yes, quite extensively. If I have the major character and plot arcs taken care of before I begin, it leaves me more energy to focus on the quality of the first draft.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Wait until you’re finished, otherwise you may never get there!!
Did you hire a professional editor?
I hired someone to line edit the first three chapters. With his feedback, I line edited the rest of the book, while he proofread the work and gave comments on my editing. This saved a lot of money and gave me plenty of insights into how to improve.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No way!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes, repeatedly. Two of them even asked for the whole book!
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was a gradual process. I realized that there isn’t much an agent can do for you that you can’t do for yourself. Even if you have a publisher, most of the promotional work will have to be done by the author anyway, unless you are lucky or a big name.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I used 99Designs, which is a good cost effective way of getting a cover produced.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Hmm, it is a bit ad hoc I will admit. I’ve focused on getting reviews in as many places as I can.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
It is hard work but can be satisfying. In an ideal world, try to build up a serious online presence via social media and blogging, for a couple of years or more, before you publish. You need that platform to get the word out when you do. I hate doing publicity but it’s a necessary thing!
About You
Where did you grow up?
Solihull, a town whose name comes from the Saxon for soiled hill, or dung heap. It’s actually a prosperous though rather dull place in the West Midlands of England.
Where do you live now?
London
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I’m serious about climate change and the environment. If the Greenland Ice Sheet melts by the end of the century, which could happen, then that’s a 7 metre sea level rise, globally. Try defending the cities of New York, Miami, London, LA, San Francisco etc against that – it’s not possible. We all have a responsibility to look at our own actions now.
What are you working on now?
The bare bones of my next book!
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Greenies from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).