Ask the Author: Derek Thompson

“Ask me a question.” Derek Thompson

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Derek Thompson Romantic couple? Thomas Bladen and Miranda Wright, the heart of the Spy Chaser novels.
Buddy couple? Thomas Bladen and Karl McNeill, co-workers in the UK's Surveillance Support Unit.
Derek Thompson Hello Kelvin, it's lovely to reconnect with you. I use a keyboard out of habit and as, albeit as a mixed blessing, I mostly communicate over email these days. I'm intrigued that we both have a passion for Cromer. When I was a child we used to holiday at East / West Runton, at a campsite, and spent many happy days at Cromer. We used to know Bob Davies, who ran the crab shop, and his son / grandson (?) who coaxed the lifeboat and ran the working men's club. If a blog interview would help you promote your books, I'd be happy for you to send over some generic questions and then post it on either www.alongthewritelines.blogspot.co.uk or www.strictlywriting.blogspot.co.uk. I''ve heard that dragon voice recognition software is supposed to be good? Hope to meet up when you're settled in the west of the county. Best regards, Derek.
Derek Thompson
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Derek Thompson Some of the plot and character development flows from the consequences and unanswered questions in the previous book in the series. I also drew upon contemporary themes in the news about big business, multinational corporations and politics. Plus, I had some snappy dialogue and gags I wanted to try out!
Derek Thompson My fifth thriller, No Defence, continuing Thomas Bladen's Spy Chaser series. This book takes place in the aftermath of the 2005 London Bombing, when the Surveillance Support Unit has been reassigned to MI5 as additional resource. Karl tells Thomas they're playing with the big boys now, but that only leads to more complications in both the day job and the clandestine struggle against the pan-European Shadow State. Is this Thomas's fall from grace?

I'm also looking for representation for a standalone novel, set in the UK and US in the late 1980s. Scars & Stripes is a dark comedy about one person's attempt to live the American Dream with all of his British baggage on the journey!

Finally, I am keenly looking for agents to consider the TV or film rights for the Spy Chaser series. All recommendations gratefully received!
Derek Thompson Play with ideas, challenge yourself, and be prepared to work on the story afterwards. Editing and rewriting are essential parts of the writing process for me.
Derek Thompson The freedom to make up stories (in the hope that someone will read them!).
Derek Thompson If it's a novel I'm working on I usually do one of the following:
1. Write another scene or part of the book that already appeals to me.
2. Research an aspect of the book I'm unclear about. I find that my blocks are often down to not seeing the scene or plot element clearly enough to be able to sketch it out.
3. Write something else - a short story, a blog post - anything to keep the flow going.
4. Interview one of the characters to get to know them better.

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