Thomas Thorpe on Writing #Historical Mysteries & Inspiration (#AmReading #Mystery)
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I write historical mystery thrillers set around the world in the first half of the nineteenth century. The era was both interesting and turbulent. Nations struggled with self-government, having emerged from colonialism or repressive monarchies. Word of the French and American revolutions spread worldwide and threatened the economic engines of soverign states, i.e. the practice of slavery. Tensions flared between traditional royalists and the young radicals who promoted democratic ideas to free themselves from repressive social classes. As a result, conspiracies abounded and murders were common.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes. I began writing articles in my youth as an amateur astronomer contributing articles to magazines such as Sky & Telescope. Later, I published Science Journal articles describing the findings of NASA spacecraft at Mars. Finally, historical novel writing began while our spacecraft cruised to the planets, and after considerable travel.
Having chosen to write historical fiction, a big question was how to transition from writing objective science papers to writing prose in a genre of literature, how to build suspense, make characters come alive and develop a story. A suitable writing style requires considerable reading, advice in novel writing and practice, practice, practice, some of which included fan-fiction writing on the internet. Early papers can still be found in the archives of the Republic of Pemberly homepage.
What books did you love growing up?
Science fiction: Books by Pohl Anderson, Robert Heinlein, Philip k. Dick
Who is your favorite author?
Ann Perry, Jane Austen, Ken Follet, Agatha Christi, John Grisham
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in North Hollywood, California reading science fiction. As an amateur astronomer, I built telescopes and spent many a cold night in Fraser Park taking pictures of nebulae, galaxies and comets. During summers while attending UCLA, I worked at NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center with the original seven astronauts, at Lowell Observatory and JPL. Upon graduation, I started employment at Eastman Kodak (Lunar Orbiter) before returning to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. There, I spent 38 years participating in the defining moments of Mars exploration by Mariner, Viking and Surveyor spacecraft. Ultimately, I managed the Mars Global Surveyor Mission through most of its ten-year operational life. I have published numerous science articles on Mars photometry and also taught astronomy in Glendale College’s extended day program for nearly forty years. Today I live just North of the San Fernando Valley in Valencia, California.
How did you develop your writing?
Having chosen to write historical fiction, a big question was how to transition from writing objective science papers to writing prose in a genre of literature, how to build suspense, make characters come alive and develop a story. A suitable writing style requires considerable reading, advice in novel writing and practice, practice, practice, some of which included fan-fiction writing on the internet. Early papers can still be found in the archives of the Republic of Pemberly homepage.
Do you outline or know the ending when you start writing?
No. With well developed characters in a series, and the germ of an idea for the book, I let the story unfold and enjoy the ride as it progresses.
What is hardest getting published, writing or marketing?
Publishing. Creating manuscripts is only the beginning. Finding a publisher for a select audience may take as much time for a new writer as writing his novel. Research is the key to publishing any historical book and today's Internet provides a wealth of sources. Publication of my first book came from shopping it around along with the ten thousand other writers seeking publication in this country every day. The now defunct PortTown Publishing Company originally published the first four novels of the Darmon series. However, they went out of business in 2006. Consequently, Black Rose Writing began releasing the new series in reverse order, starting with the previously unpublished Book 6: Without Redemption (2009) set in India and Book 5: Desperate Crossing (2010) set in Russia of the 1840’s. Book 4: Fair Wind to Bahia set in Brazil and Book 3: Patriote Peril (2011) set in Quebec. Book 2: The Forth Conspiracy (2013) set in Egypt and Book 1: Message of the Pendant (2014) set in America and the island of St. Helena.
What marketing works for you?
Prior to a book’s release, advance work includes setting up reviews, writing press releases, scheduling book signings, and seeking ways to create publicity. Agents and publicists can help, but chances are one has to work their way up the sales ladder to get noticed by major catalogs. Once a paperback is published, an author should be prepared to meet and greet at bookstores over the following year. This can be fun, as said on the TV show, Pawn Stars: “You never know what is going to come thru that door.” Recently, a father and two teenaged sons passed by my table. I asked, “How about a mystery?” to which he responded: “No thanks, I’m here for a specific book, something like How to Coach Soccer for Dummies”. One of his sons, looking horrified, burst out: “So you think we’re dummies?” Another question I often get is: My son reads everything, is this book appropriate for an 8 year old?”
What other jobs have you had in your life?
During college at UCLA, I worked summers with the original seven astronauts at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, and at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Upon graduating, with degrees in astronomy, I left California to analyze Lunar Orbiter photographs at Eastman Kodak in Rochester NY before beginning a career at JPL. The latter employment included science management on the Mariner 9, Viking, Ulysses and Mars Observer Missions. My work cullminated as the Project Manager of NASA’s highly successful Mars Global Surveyor Mission – a spacecraft that orbited Mars for nine years, returning two hundred thousand images of the planet and relaying pictures from the Mars Rovers. During this period I also taught astronomy in Glendale College’s extended day program. tthorpe502@aol.com
William Darmon and wife Elizabeth were powerful figures who in 1818 set society's pace from expansive grounds known as Mayfair Hall. When a family member is murdered, a mysterious pendant is found containing a long lost request by Napoleon Bonaparte for an American mission to burn down Parliament buildings. The couple sets out on an action filled pursuit of the killer.
While interviewing Henry Clay in post-war Maryland about the failed mission, they uncover evidence of a conspiracy to free the Emperor from exile. The Darmons infiltrate the cadre, but a shipwreck off the coast of Scotland, a firestorm at the Darmon's Manor and a harrowing assault on the Island of St. Helena loom before the mystery can be unraveled.
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Genre – Mystery, Historical, Thriller
Rating – PG
More details about the author
Connect with Thomas Thorpe on Facebook
Website www.darmonmysteries.com
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