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On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, author David Garner shares the inspiration behind his new book, Riding The Tiger, and his creative writing process.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed David Garner about his life and career, the collection of short stories in his new book, Riding The Tiger, and what inspired his characters.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
My name is David Garner, I have the old-style nuclear family of a wife and two adult children and I live in Norfolk. Now retired, I had an unusually varied working life – gamekeeper, paratrooper, salesman, debt negotiator to name but few. It’s amazing how many careers you can fit in if you abandon school at the age of twelve.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
A long, long time ago, when quills and parchment were in their infancy.
When did you take a step to start writing?
I’ve always been able to string a few words together, so newsletters and reports for clubs and other groups soon fell my way. Writing advertising followed, plus business plans and research reports in the public domain. Latterly, I was a freelance writer for a London media company. I came to fiction via my CV, it seeming a natural progression to begin writing stories.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
Less than a year, written between freelance writing commissions which, bizarrely, I began to resent because they were impeding progress.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
Because Riding the Tiger is a collection of short stories written over several years, it took me only half an hour to decide which to include and just two months to reach publication.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Riding The Tiger?
Hmm, this is a tricky one. Obviously, hubris prevents me from saying they are my best short stories but I can’t think of any other reason.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Riding The Tiger?
Shorter, humorous stories largely write themselves. Longer, more complex tales often require some research, as I am a stickler for accuracy. For Riding the Tiger, set in 1938 USSR, I had to bone up on the NKVD secret police and the status of Caspian tigers in Georgia, among other things. Many writers enjoy research – I do it on sufferance.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
My short story protagonists are many and varied, but I always strive to make them human, with weaknesses as well as strengths. Like most of us, actually.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
Once again, they are many and varied but one, Mrs Choudhury, gripped me like no other. A complex, enigmatic woman, she left me no choice but to write my only sequel. You may wonder whether she achieved redemption.
What is the inciting incident of Riding The Tiger?
There are multiple inciting incidents in this short story collection but I am fascinated by shades of grey in peoples’ character, the fact that no individual is ever entirely known. And somebody (a cynic?) once said 10% of people are honest, 10% dishonest and the rest are as honest as the system makes them. What more do you need to get story-telling?
What is the main conflict of Riding The Tiger?
It’s multiple choice again but my stories feature deception, jealousy, betrayal and murder. And that’s just the humorous ones.
Did you plot Riding The Tiger in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
Most short stories don’t require complex plotting although, if describing a crucial event (say, a murder), I do draw a diagram of where the action takes place. Otherwise, I just bash on regardless.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Riding The Tiger need?
Good writing makes for smooth, easy reading. I go to endless trouble editing and re-writing which is reflected at the publication stage with virtually no alterations. It also explains why my output is comparatively modest.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
If you know the beginning and ending of the story, make a start. Write anything at first, just to overcome the ‘blank piece of paper’ syndrome. I find many developments occur naturally but, if later struck by the dreaded writer’s block, ask “what if” of every character, situation or location – and a solution will appear.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
Whisper it quietly, but I’m tempted to write a third story (a triquel?) involving Mrs Choudhury.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Wary of hubris again, I can say it was certainly worth the effort. The most consistent comment on my books is ‘well written’, and I can’t deny I am proud of that.
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