Ask the Author: Luke Smitherd

“Ask whatever you want. If it's pointless nastiness or rude/deiberately overly personal it'll be ignored, but anything else is more than welcome and I'm happy to answer.” Luke Smitherd

Answered Questions (12)

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Hi Luke! Just under a year ago I stumbled across The Stone Man, and loved it. Since then I've read In The Darkness, That's Where I'' Know You, Kill Someone and I'm almost through A Head Full Of Knives. I'm hooked! And that might be a problem..as I see it's been a while since you last published a book, commented here on Goodreads or published anything on lukesmitherd.com. Are there more books coming soon?

Luke Smitherd Hi Thomas, and thanks for the question. Yep, more in the pipeline, I've just been lost in endless redrafts! If you're not already on the mailing list at lukesmitherd.com, get signed up as there should be some announcements coming very soon. Thanks for the support my friend.

Luke

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Hi Luke, I was just wondering what your typical writing day was like? Do you have a strict schedule that you stick to? And how do you avoid procrastination? As a Derbyshire based aspiring writer myself, I'd love to hear your insight! Thanks, Claire

Luke Smitherd I try and stick to it, and aim for three hours a day, but after an hour or two my shoulders get too sore. Working on my posture. A good tip is to use the Streaks app as that really helps you stick to a writing regime. For procrastination, believe it or not I've found daily meditation really helps. After roughly 11 hours total the prefrontal cortex changes shape due to the extra blood you push through it (when focusing) and it helps you focus better in day to day life. So I read, anyway.

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Hi, Luke. Who would you say is your inspiration as a writer? I know you reference Sai Stephen King sometimes, but would you say his work is what you aspire to, or are there a few other muses for you, too?

Luke Smitherd Hi Claire, sorry for such a long delay in replying. I do very much love The Man's work, and I wish I had his prose. I also admire Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, and recently 'Bird Box' author Josh Malerman.

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Any advice for aspiring authors interested in self-publishing?

Luke Smitherd Be prepared for a long slog, not a quick fix. But stick with it.

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I "am" UK, but have contacts in the US if that would make it easier. .. . [Goodreads: "Sorry, your question needs to contain a question mark." Me: ?]

Luke Smitherd No that's fine, UK is easier.

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The Stone Man? Still my favourite. Any limited edition would be good. Some of your books are 'print on demand' - that would only be of interest, if I could buy a signed copy of you (and of course reimburse you for S&H). You're a great writer - I have successfully recommended you to several friends already. PS: Here's the missing "s" for the 2nd but last word in my 1st message. Embarrassed ...

Luke Smitherd Hi Tom, sincere apologies, I've just seen this. Are you UK/US?

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I wonder if you could describe your writing habit and how you manage to produce so much in such a seemingly short space of time. Are you a nine-to-five sit at the desk typing furiously guy, or a back of the napkin notes in a cafe sort of person? How do you avoid finding a million 'more important' things to do besides writing when you are self-employed and without a publishing deadline?

Luke Smitherd Hi Abi, I try and fit it in around all the marketing I have to do, but when I'm in full writing mode I try to fit as much in as I can and it becomes my main focus for a lengthy period of time. I have to get out of the house a lot of the time to work though, I get cabin fever.

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Where and how do I get a signed book of your, please?

Luke Smitherd Hi Tom. Which one were you thinking about?

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The Stoneman wad the first book I read by you and I loved it! I could see how much effort and thought was put into the storyline. There were zero gaps in the 5 w's. Even the how was kept solid and air tight. I just finished listening to Mr. Grief and I really liked the idea of what he could do for people. It was outside of the norm and very well thought out. What's coming up that we can keep a lookout for ?

Luke Smitherd Thanks Jamie. I REALLY try and keep my work consistent and logical - sometimes too much - so it's very nice to hear people notice that. I'm actually working on a thriller; no aliens, no ghosts, no magic or anything like that. However, you know it's going to have that touch of weirdness! Working title KILL SOMEONE. ANYONE.

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Out of all of your books which was your favorite to write and why?

Luke Smitherd Hi Jamie, thanks for the question. D'you know, I don't think I've been asked that before, and that's a tough question to answer ...I think I'd probably say My Name Is Mister Grief. Purely because it had none of the logistical/plot hole resolving issues that all of the other books have had, so therefore it was easy. I use a lot of 'rules' in my plots, which I like (barriers with The Stone Man, the limitations of the Overlay Device in Hold On Until Your Fingers Break etc) but the downside to those is having to work within those rules. You should see my notes where I have to go through an endless process of logic to find the answers. Keeping it as watertight as possible, logically, is very important to me, but it's mentally taxing sometimes, to the point where - in the case of The Stone Man - I didn't touch the book for about four months as I had to figure out how Andy and Paul would get in touch with the military higher-ups while they were just random civilians.
PS Also The Man On Table Ten. I had a lot of fun with that one.

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