Gary Blackwood

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Western Pennsylvania and bummed around the country for years before settling down on the beautiful North Shore of Nova Scotia. I’ve been writing seriously since about the age of 16; I sold my first book, a middle grade novel, when I was forty and have been going strong ever since. Many of my 36 titles have appeared on Best Books lists and been translated into other languages, from Danish to Korean. I’m also a widely produced playwright, and am now beginning to make some headway with screenplays.

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is still looking for a home 🙂 My latest published one is The Devil to Pay, which sort of defies categorization. It deals, among other things, with karate, codes and ciphers, the Vietnam war, Southeast Asia, the 16th century, and Big Pharma.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure how unusual it is, but I treat writing as a job; when I’m working on a book, I plunk myself down at the computer every weekday morning at about the same time. My goal is to produce a chapter a week, and I usually reach it. I also do a load of advance planning–not outlining per se, but taking a whack (as we say in NS) notes about plot and characters and such.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read the classics a lot, and try to emulate to some extent the elegance of their prose without overdoing it.

What are you working on now?
I recently finished a new novel based on my experiences directing an annual Shakespeare production. Now I’m forcing myself to take a year off to recharge my batteries–and to find a home for that novel and the two previous ones. (Did I mention that I’m pretty prolific?)

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Don’t ask. I really suck at self-promotion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
See my note above about advance planning. It’s the most valuable lesson I’ve learned. It gives you a sort of road map to follow, so you don’t bog down (usually) somewhere in the middle.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Syd Field’s book Screenplay, which taught me about dramatic structure. I use his methods with every play, screenplay, and novel. (It’s part of that advance planning i mentioned!)

What are you reading now?
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor (print version), and The Alaskan Laundry by Brendan Jones (e-book version–it’s easier to hold up when I read in bed)

What’s next for you as a writer?
Marketing my three as yet unpublished novels (one is getting close), querying agents (my previous one quit–not because of me, I trust), submitting screenplays.

What is your favorite book of all time?
Something by Thomas Hardy, no doubt. Far From the Madding Crowd, maybe? I’ve watched all three movie versions. (The one made for Masterpiece Theatre is the best)

Author Websites and Profiles
Gary Blackwood Website
Gary Blackwood Amazon Profile