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Reflections on Reading and Writing
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The Choice Graham Greene once said: 'As a reader you can choose any writer, but as a writer you can't choose your readers.' But this was before the Internet era. With this marvellous instrument a writer can at least choose to address his/her readers. But the choice to read any writer is still with the reader. We'd have a strange world if the writer had an opinion on who is buying his/her books. Since some time I'm busy introducing my books on the US market and I would be proud to count you among my readers. My books contain a blend of thrill, mystery, fun and intimacy. Now and then the little philosopher we all hide inside pops up to state his opinion on mankind and some people's odd behaviour. The thriller genre allows the writer an abundance of variety. You can stretch the characters into almost any shape, from the meanest to the most amiable; you can build up blood-curling tension, you can twist the dialogues and tell part of the story through them if you like. I'm using a mix of techniques. When I'm in the writing process, I keep asking myself whether this is how I as a reader would like the story to proceed. If the answer is 'no' I don't hesitate to delete a full chapter, no matter how much labour it consumed . |
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Communication Reading is often as personal to the reader as writing is to the writer. We all have a way of defending our favorite authors when they are subject to critizism, even if we realize it would do them good to hear some of the opinions. No matter how hard you work with your stories and your language, there's always room for improvement. Crime writing demands a good sense of detail and you'd be lucky to produce an entire novel without making a single mistake. If you have an opinion about my writing, or about writing and reading in general, I'd love to hear from you. Just drop a line and I'll respond as soon as I can. |
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Writing Techniques In my opinion, a modern thriller should contain more than excitement and action. We are not as prudish as grandmother used to be, and we don't mind a laugh or two when we shiver our way through the story. Some authors construct their stories like classic symphonies. In the first part they build up atmosphere and expectation; in the second the tempo is moderated and introspective sections added. The third and final part is the real test, the tempo must be right, the story needs to move on towards an end that has to be credible. Other writers prefer to build their stories like film manuscripts with three minutes sections and a speedy tempo. The problem with this technique is that the characters tend to lose their outlines in the rush. We also meet those who seem to weave short stories together into a novel. This is how I work. Actually, it was pointed out to me by a reader that I'm using this technique. It hadn't occurred to me. Apparently, this is my natural way of telling a story. But it had occurred to me that my chapters could be rather long or very short. But that is natural too - some episodes demand more space. Still, whatever technique you prefer - as a reader or a writer - most important is a fluent language. My ambition is to strike a note as if talking to someone sitting next to me at an open fireplace while the northwestern shakes the windows. But again, it's up to the reader to decide whether I am successful or not. My two leading characters have light-hearted attitudes to life as well as to investigation work. They really like women better than detective efforts, so they invent a way of combining the two. But they are not in control of fate in any of the fields and as we all know, fate has a way of messing things up. In particular if fate appears in the shape of beautiful women. |
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E-book or Paper Edition? At the beginning of rock star Mick Jagger's career, a fellow in the audience shouted: 'Go cut your hair!'. Mick replied from the stage: 'Yeah, and look like you?'. Laughter. Read anything into this, but here is my view: creative people feel that they need to do something unique, not necessarily to stand out of the crowd visually, but to manifest their personality or a particular talent. Regardless if your field is tennis, singing, painting, acting, carpentry or embroidery, you want other people's attention and appreciation. Get me right - there's no need for Mick Jagger to grow his hair to stand out of any crowd. Writing unique thrillers is not an easy task though the challenge is inspiring. E-book publishing has made things a lot easier for unknown writers. But after reading a couple of books in the PDF format, I have changed my mind. It takes only a few pages to make you stop thinking of this being anything but an ordinary book page. And a good table of contents will allow you to find the chapters easier than in any paper book. In my tables of contents each chapter has a short description in case you forgot where you stopped reading the last time. Just a click on the page number and you'll be there in a second. The free chapters are not PDF formatted, though. You can read them as you read this page. |
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Other Thrillers For your comfort, I'm offering thrillers other than my own. At my US Bestsellers and UK Bestsellers pages you will find frequently updated bestseller lists with the hottest crime stories on the market. If you prefer old-timers like master Conan Doyle or Edgar Allan Poe you will find them on the same sites. I have a feeling that my mix will appeal to you. Money transactions are safely handled by Amazon and Ebookomatic. |
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New Writers Curiosity often leads to new learning and exciting experience. For instance, when you made up your mind to take that marvellous holiday trip, I'd say that curiosity was one of your prime movers. Reading a book of a writer you haven't read before may not be as breathtaking, but it still means a struggle between curiosity and caution. It's logical to hesitate when you are facing something unknown to you. 'I've never heard of a Swedish crime writer before!', 'Do they really know how to set about the task over there?' or 'Why is he writing in English instead of his own language?'. These are questions that might pop up. Quite reasonable. One reason that I have chosen to write in English is that I love the abundance of variation of the language. My old Grammar School teacher discovered my talent for language in general and inspired me to write essays in English. This was very educative and I have kept learning ever since. Another reason for this choice of work language is the prospect of reaching so many people. Sweden has nine million inhabitants. From a global aspect I believe more people are playing the violin than speaking Swedish. Besides, many Swedes prefer to read Anglo-Saxon writers in English. Our languages are quite similar. And you're right, crime writers from my country are not crowding on the top lists in the Anglo-Saxon world. To me, this is part of the challenge rather than discouraging. If you want to sail somewhere and there is a lot of ice ahead, you have no choice but to break it. All you need is a stable boat. I think I have. And I have a feeling that you would like to get aboard once you find out there is a cozy cabin for you. For a book lover, there's nothing like fantasy cruising. |
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Opinions When we have done something we are proud of, we don't mind hearing someone stating a favorable opinion. Although we try (lamely) to moderate the praise and point out details we pretend to be less pleased with, we want more. It's human. Writers are no exceptions. Some of us can't have enough of feedback and being word workers we sometimes read things into the glorification that might not have been the speaker's intention. I won't bore you with miles of testimonials but here are a few examples: "A gripping story. I was taken aback by the stunning unravelling of the drama" - Anne Killi, Norway about 'A Fatal Similarity'. "Thrilling and funny. Private investigator Freddy Larson really is a rare creature" "I never thought sex could be this sweaty for a man. Poor Robin. The book is very well written" - Mary Berndt, England about 'Basic Manipulation'. "I read the book with the greatest pleasure. This is a real page-turner" |
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Credibility In my opinion, a good book is a book that makes you reflect and feel that you are participating. When I read a story that I find engaging, I add in my mind a role for myself, or I identify myself with one of the leading characters. I think this is what makes reading so fascinating. Ten people who read the same book create ten different pictures, depending on personality and life experience. I sometimes hear people discussing my characters as people they expect to bump into in real life. "That bastard, if I ever see him I'll tell him one or two things..." or "I wouldn't mind spending a night with that lady...". This kind of unintended praise is credit enough for me. |
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Thank you for taking your time to share my views on reading and writing. If you are thinking of purchasing one of my books, I hope you will have a good time reading it. If you are planning to buy another writer's thriller through my site, I hope you will enjoy it as well.You're always welcome back to my Web Site to check new books, my own as well as others. If you are a writer or a Webmaster, I offer a couple of links to people who can teach you a little about driving traffic to your site. Just click on USEFUL LINKS from the contents square on my front page or from the bottom line of this page. During 2004 I'm publishing another two stories, as E-books for a start. One of them is already available. 'Fragments of Decency' was published with Ebookomatic in February. Click here for Free Chapter. The other one: 'On No Account' will be released later this year.Best Regards |
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