Here at The History Press we are big fans of crime fiction and we jumped at the chance to ask one of our authors some questions about the ins and outs of writing historical crime fiction. From social media to writer's block, Stephen Wadeshares the secrets of successful crime fiction writing. Set in London in 1890, A Thief in the Night and Other Adventures of the Septimus Society sees seven amateur sleuths turn their hand to investigating the crimes and criminals in Victorian London.
Why write crime fiction?
I write in this genre (which is new to me by the way) because it offers a unique way of seeing a particular society. Crime, in all its guises, opens up the shadows beneath life as it has always seemed on the surface. Also, I’m fascinated by transgression, as I think we all are.
Where did the inspiration for A Thief in the Night come from?
It came from my love of the 1880s and from, of course, amateur sleuths originating in Conan Doyle and others. My favourite character is my literary critic detective, based loosely on a scholar called Churton Collins.
How important is location (i.e. London) in your book?
Very important of course. I’m always careful to study the geography of the city at the time, and I use lots of old photos. I stare at them for ages, trying to imagine the reality they had around them so long ago.
What is your favourite book/What do you enjoy reading?
My favourite reading falls into two categories: hard-boiled crime fiction (Phillip Kerr and Chandler) and theatre history. Again, I’m keen on Victorian and Edwardian theatre, and I intend to use that background in the next set of stories.
Do you have a favourite author? Do you have a favourite fictional character?
My favourite author- I have two. They are Christopher Isherwood and Samuel Johnson. In poetry, the late Seamus Heaney is someone I read and re-read. My favourite fictional character is Isherwood’s Mr Norris, closely followed by Dr Watson.
How easy/difficult is it to write historical crime fiction?
For me, it’s really hard, but fun. After writing so much non-fiction crime, the shift to fiction is a real challenge. I hope the next book is easier!
Do you agree with David Baldacci that it is your responsibility as the author to write inaccuracies into your fiction, so that potential criminals do not replicate crimes?
No, I think that readers like to have details of crime – they like to know about motivation and they like the repercussions of a deviant act.
How do you avoid your characters becoming clichéd (e.g. the femme fatale, the jaded detective)?
Actually, I don’t mind cliché in some respects. But I prefer to think of my sleuths as composites. There is something of Holmes and Watson in my main ones. The others detectives in the Septimus Society are ‘types’ with small individual touches, I think.
Do you ever suffer from writers’ block? If so, how do you cope with it?
No, I’m fortunate in that respect. But it does depend what I’m writing. My next fictional work is a collection of humorous short stories called Tales from Uncle Albert, and those flowed smoothly. I find that a novel sometimes presents a block, and this often takes the shape of a plot element. I find that sitting and staring into space in a coffee shop with a note-book handy does the trick, when the block strikes!
Have you ever based characters on people you know (e.g. an old enemy as the villain)?
In my Uncle Albert stories, yes. They are based on a real Uncle Albert. But in crime stories, only occasionally do I do that. I have based a few characters on people I met while working as a writer in prisons, but obviously, I can’t mention any names.
How has social media helped you to market your book/you as an author?
I have a lot to learn in this respect. I find that I have very little time to give to blogs etc. This is because I always have deadlines. I’m currently writing a biographical work called The Justice Women, which is the story of women lawyers, police officers and prison officers. In addition, I’m completing my second crime novel – hard-boiled, and set in Cardiff. It’s nothing at all like the Septimus Society. But I have the Septimus lot going well, joined by a new detective- very grumpy- called Gooch, and he’s good fun.
Stephen Wade is the author of A Thief in the Night and Other Adventures of the Septimus Society in which a group of seven amateur criminologists based at the Septimus Club in Piccadilly set out to investigate a series of mysterious crimes committed in the capital. Including a professor, a Lord, an ex-jockey, an actress, a talented rogue, a Scotland Yard detective and a society lady, the sleuths become embroiled in the murder of an artist, an attempted assassination and even come up against some Russian anarchists. In these, their first six adventures, the society take on some challenging cases, relishing the thrill of the chase as enemies mount against them and old vendettas return ...