Ask the Author: Richard Gardner
Answered Questions (21)
Richard Gardner
Hi Terry,
I too am surprised at the number of reviews I have received on Goodreads and Amazon for my latest novel Deadly Partnership. I think if people enjoy your books then they will recommend them to their friends.
I too am surprised at the number of reviews I have received on Goodreads and Amazon for my latest novel Deadly Partnership. I think if people enjoy your books then they will recommend them to their friends.
Richard Gardner
Hi Terry,
I noted that you have given 'The Extra Large Medium' by Helen Slavin a 5 star rating on Goodreads. Therefore, as I have an interest in spiritualism and it is a theme of my latest novel 'Deadly Partnership' I thought that we might have a thing or two in common.
Regards Richard
I noted that you have given 'The Extra Large Medium' by Helen Slavin a 5 star rating on Goodreads. Therefore, as I have an interest in spiritualism and it is a theme of my latest novel 'Deadly Partnership' I thought that we might have a thing or two in common.
Regards Richard
Richard Gardner
I really enjoyed Salem's Lot. The idea of the entire population of a village being decimated by a vampire and his undead followers kept me reading deep into the night. Barlow was equally as scary as Dracula in Bram Stoker's great classic novel.
Richard Gardner
Hi Joanne,
Yes all three of my novels are available in the US. Below is the US Amazon link to my latest novel Deadly Partnership. I did self publish my novels as it is so difficult to find a publisher who will take the time to read even a few of the many manuscripts arriving in his/her office. Once I started writing I couldn't stop. I was just bitten by the bug.
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Partner...
Yes all three of my novels are available in the US. Below is the US Amazon link to my latest novel Deadly Partnership. I did self publish my novels as it is so difficult to find a publisher who will take the time to read even a few of the many manuscripts arriving in his/her office. Once I started writing I couldn't stop. I was just bitten by the bug.
https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Partner...
Richard Gardner
My worst nightmare is being told by a reader that I have made a blunder in a novel that I've written. Such as 'the lady in the shop was nude' instead of 'the lady in the shop was rude'.
Richard Gardner
Hi Helen, many thanks for reading and reviewing my novel Deadly Partnership. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it. To answer your very good question, there are many partnerships in business, marriage and crime that are unequal. There is often one who dictates the terms. In this case it was Paul.
However, it was in Gary's best interests to be an accomplice otherwise he could well have lost his business, not to mention his entire estate. One does have to feel sorry for anyone in Gary's position though. He was left with a hard choice to make. Could he really have reported his father to the police even if he was prepared to sacrifice all?
However, it was in Gary's best interests to be an accomplice otherwise he could well have lost his business, not to mention his entire estate. One does have to feel sorry for anyone in Gary's position though. He was left with a hard choice to make. Could he really have reported his father to the police even if he was prepared to sacrifice all?
Richard Gardner
Hi Paula, you are following me on Goodreads but you need to accept me as a friend. Do that then try again.
Richard Gardner
My favourite fictional couple has to be David Chambers & Alison Johnson in 'Righteous Release.' They are my own creation so why not?
http://www.bookviral.com/righteous-re...
http://www.bookviral.com/righteous-re...
Richard Gardner
I have added a comment to your poem 'Trick of the Light'. Keep up the good work Margaret. Richard.
Richard Gardner
Hi Margaret, returned from holiday last night so only just seen your question.
Were I to get a recommendation from you I wouldn't see the review that you had written. Only the title of the book that you had recommended. As an author myself, were Goodreads to provide the review, this could be very helpful for the sales of my books. Kind regards Richard
Were I to get a recommendation from you I wouldn't see the review that you had written. Only the title of the book that you had recommended. As an author myself, were Goodreads to provide the review, this could be very helpful for the sales of my books. Kind regards Richard
Richard Gardner
Sergei, in my teens I attended an evangelical church before deciding that the beliefs of these people weren't for me. In fact, I became totally disenchanted with religion and turned to left wing politics instead. I prefer to help others in this life rather than pray for their souls in preparation for the next one.
Richard Gardner
Hi Dawn. My books are based loosely on the Exclusive Brethren, recently re-branding themselves as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. If you have seen the film 'Son Of Rambo' you will have learnt something about them. There are something like 44,000 followers worldwide. These people are taught to remain, as far as possible, separate from non-believers. They are so extreme they won't even sit down to eat or drink with those who do not share their faith. TV and other pursuits that we would consider to be harmless are strictly forbidden. If a follower should go astray in their terms, they can be shunned by family and friends until the day they die, unless they are prepared to repent of course. I thank you for your interest Dawn and happy to answer any further questions either from you or anyone else.
Richard Gardner
Hi Jan, to answer your second question, there are many ex followers who have written accounts of their experiences as Jehovah's Witnesses. The sect attracts many people but, there is a very high turnover. Many fall by the wayside for a variety of reasons. Until recently followers had to do a certain amount of Witnessing a month. That meant knocking on doors and trying to tempt householders into joining the sect. This has now changed and JWs are now more likely to be seen standing on street corners holding a bundle of Watchtower magazines to distribute to the public. Are you considering writing a story yourself?
Richard Gardner
Yes I've done plenty of research on the Jehovah's Witnesses. Only recently I read a book called Inside Outside by Jenny Hayworth who is an ex follower herself. The Jehovah's Witnesses try to indoctrinate their children with superstitious nonsense then they shun those who rebel. I've written 2 novels loosely based on the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. They are another bunch of fruitcakes who won't sit down to eat or drink with those who do not share their faith. They are so extreme they won't even share a party wall with their next door neighbours. Their churches have no windows and the gates are always locked when there are no meetings going on. From the outside their churches look like concentration camps. The novel I am currently working on contains a certain amount of Spiritualism. Their beliefs might seem even more bizarre but at least they don't shun family members.
Thanks for being a friend on Goodreads and wishing you a happy new year.
Thanks for being a friend on Goodreads and wishing you a happy new year.
Richard Gardner
Hi Mary,
Many thanks for your interest in my book.
In my teens I went to a number of evangelical meetings & almost became a born again Christian. But the lure of Socialism drew me towards politics. I felt that it was better to help people in this world rather than try and save their souls for the next one.
Then 12 years ago I joined a company that was owned by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. This is a sect that rejects the ways of the
world and won't even sit down to eat with non-believers. Make no mistake they were charming people but I found their beliefs distasteful. They treat their women as second class citizens, despise gay people and they shun those followers who fall out of favour with the hierarchy. It was the third aspect of their behaviour that got me thinking. So having put pen to paper
I began to write my debut novel.
I am very keen to read your novel 'Free to be Tegan' as well. Would be interested to know what inspired you to write it.
Very best wishes,
Richard
Many thanks for your interest in my book.
In my teens I went to a number of evangelical meetings & almost became a born again Christian. But the lure of Socialism drew me towards politics. I felt that it was better to help people in this world rather than try and save their souls for the next one.
Then 12 years ago I joined a company that was owned by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. This is a sect that rejects the ways of the
world and won't even sit down to eat with non-believers. Make no mistake they were charming people but I found their beliefs distasteful. They treat their women as second class citizens, despise gay people and they shun those followers who fall out of favour with the hierarchy. It was the third aspect of their behaviour that got me thinking. So having put pen to paper
I began to write my debut novel.
I am very keen to read your novel 'Free to be Tegan' as well. Would be interested to know what inspired you to write it.
Very best wishes,
Richard
Richard Gardner
I take a break, think about other things and allow my subconscious mind to work on a plot that I am having difficulty with. Sometimes when I'm struggling with ideas in the day I'll wake up next morning with the perfect solutions.
Richard Gardner
Completing a book and having the satisfaction of knowing that it has all been my own work.
Richard Gardner
A crime novel with a spiritualist connection.
Richard Gardner
I just enjoy writing
Richard Gardner
I worked alongside people who were in a strict religious denomination for nine years. They believed in the literal meaning of the Bible and as far as possible, separated themselves from non believers such as myself. I therefore thought it would be a good idea to write a novel about a young man who decided to break free. In doing so he became estranged from his family and friends as he became part of the real world.
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