EGL Magazine
EGL Magazine
Exclusively Gothic Lifestyle
14 June 2010
Kismet by Wayne Sharrocks
'Kismet' is the third novel from London-born thriller writer Wayne Sharrocks. His debut novel, 'Redemption' was released early in 2006 followed by 'Dominion' in 2007. This year sees the release of 'Kismet', a dark thriller about the complete u-turn of the life of Billy Evans - the book's awkward and tortured anti-hero.
In this fast moving, enthralling thriller, Billy Evans finds the opportunity to turn his life around when he happens to be passed in the street by someone he knew from school: someone who, amongst others, made his school days a living hell, leaving him retreating into a pattern of self hatred and self-harm. Believing he can find peace, and a new lease of life, through enacting his own idea of justice, his interior fantasy world soon spills over into real life.
'Kismet' is an entertaining and engaging read - very easy to get in to, but a lot harder to get back out of again.
We caught up with Wayne Sharrocks to find out a little more about his writing and his inspirations:
How and when did you first become interested in writing fiction?
Ever since my childhood I had a fascination with the written word and the power of it to convey emotion and feeling. I found it to be an outlet for my angst and loneliness. I penned short stories, poetry and lyrics for a friend's band, but I didn't even consider a literary career in earnest until an ex-girlfriend persuaded me to enter a literary competition that Channel 4 Television were running on The Richard & Judy Show, for new and unsigned fiction writers.
I didn't have any full-length material at that time so I submitted the first two chapters of a short story that I'd penned at school and in the interim padded out the rest of the tale so that it reached the necessary word count. Much to my surprise it got shortlisted but, alas, didn't win. On the back of the local press coverage I was offered a three-book paperback deal with Pegasus Publishers (based in Cambridge).
This is your third thriller novel. What draws you to that particular genre?
I like the realism that the genre offers as you are able to take the reader on a journey where they don't have to suspend belief. Readers (especially from the more 'alternative' background/lifestyle/mindset) should be able to relate to some, if not all, of the trials and tribulations that befall my characters.
With my debut novel 'Redemption' it was the scenario that existed first and as my childhood was less than Walton-esque, I put myself in the lead characters shoes so to speak and conveyed the story though my own mindset and thought-process.
With my second novel 'Dominion' it was more character driven as I wanted to create a character similar to Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, but with a lower social standing. I had an American literary agent at that time and was getting some interest from that side of the pond after some good reviews in Gothic Beauty & similar culture/lifestyle magazines, so I think that it influenced my writing and style at that point.
With 'Kismet' I have returned to my roots with a vulnerable lead character (who just happens to be a young gothic guy) who is based in London and is on a quest for retribution against those who had previously wronged him and what he hopes is finally closure and ultimately redemption. Although all three titles developed in different ways each contains aspects of my own personality, beliefs, outlook and so has allowed me to exorcise some personal demons and to prove certain people wrong.
What do you think is the most important element for a successful novel?
Alas there is no set formula as with any creative output it's purely subjective and, more often than not, just a case of being in the right place at the right time. On a purely personal level I attempt to keep my novels fast paced and engaging, with characters that people can relate to and with scenarios that would hit home.
Who has inspired and influenced your writing the most and why?
I have always been drawn to dark/quirky psychological thrillers and have been greatly inspired by such authors as Bret Easton Ellis (American Psycho), Val McDermid (Wire in the Blood) and Ruth Rendell's earlier works. I enjoy the gritty feel that their story-lines provide and the underlying messages and observational text that they convey. I strive to do the same with my writing as I feel that there should always be a message or point to the tale, something that proves to be food for thought as the pages are being turned. You'll have to let me know whether I succeeded or not!
Tell us about the space in which you do your writing.
To be totally honest I write anywhere. If an idea comes to mind or a situation transpires that I feel may make an interesting piece, I jot it down in a notepad for use at a later date. When the time comes to actually submit a manuscript I tend to pen the entire novel in ink and then get a friend to type it up for me (as otherwise it would take an eternity thanks to my one-fingered typing technique and the probability that I would be tempted away from the task in hand by the lure of Myspace or Facebook!)
What is the starting point for your writing; character, situation, something else?
To all honesty it varies. As a rule the lead character contains facets of myself, so a lot of the situations, places, events, experiences that I describe are a mixture of fact and fantasy.
What is your next literary project?
It was only a three-book deal and this latest literary offering was two years behind schedule so I am not sure as to whether a contract extension will be offered. Think it's just a case of waiting to see what develops. I have been asked to pen a short horror story and a biography so, although neither is my preferred genre, I will give some consideration to those. Alternatively if this latest thriller sells well I will contemplate penning another title in the same genre and touting it around a few of the major Publishing houses. Although I've managed to get my feet a rung or two up the ladder of literary success, I still have quite some way to go before I can make a living as a full-time Author.
Alas my future is somewhat uncertain as, unless you're on the 'Bestseller List', you tend to make relatively little income from writing, especially with titles being available for download and a whole host of online sites slashing book prices quite dramatically. At present I am juggling this fledgling literary career with my 'day-job' at The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, where I pen the blogs for the website and write the 'blurb' for their newsletters, press releases, mail-order catalogue(s) etc...
In an ideal world I will be offered a book-deal with one of the main publishing houses, but at present it's in the lap of the gods, so all I can say is watch this space...
Article Written By...
Keller is EGL Magazine's editor. She has a degree in Writing which includes Journalism, and is rarely seen without a book in her hand.
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