If you have any questions for me, please mail them to info@gileskristian.com with the title Q&A, and I’ll post a selection of them on this page.
Kieron Ellis
Hi Giles. I am a huge fan of ''Raven Blood Eye' and an re-reading it for the second time (3rd time in total) because I dont want it to end yet. This book is responsible for me staying up late at night, arriving at work late and not concentrating at work, but I dont care. I am so pleased to hear about 'Sons of Thunder' due imminently and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
I am a aspiring writer but find it hard to really get the most out of my characters. Something that you do so well, I feel like I physically know Raven and Siguard. Is there any particular way in which you do this?
ANSWER
Thanks for getting in touch. I'm honoured that you've re-read Blood Eye, and thrilled that you enjoyed it so much. However, I do apologize that it seems to have weevilled into your brain and affected your concentration at work, (though I quite like that too!) I love it when a book gets me like that. The RAVEN books are so much fun to write and I'm currently busy with book 3 of the series, Odin's Wolves, which I suspect might be the best of the lot. As for getting the most out of my characters, I'm not sure what to say. Although I would say this: At the end of the first draft my characters were probably pretty flat. They were interchangeable. It's during the subsequent drafts (and books!) that you finally get to know them properly. You re-read a piece of dialogue and think to yourself, hang on, Black Floki wouldn't say it like that.
This is when you go through the book again and assign more character traits and distinguish between them. So don't worry at first. The re-writes are when the whole thing really starts to sing.
Good luck and keep writing!
Adam Davis
Hi Giles, I read Raven: Blood Eye and from the moment I picked it up I fell in love with it, I was just wondering how many more books there are in this series and when they will be relased to the public. I can't wait for them, they'll keep me glued for hours I am sure.
Thank you, hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Adam,
I'm so pleased you enjoyed marching with Sigurd and the Fellowship and it's kind of you to take the time to let me know. The next RAVEN adventure, Sons of Thunder, is out in Feb. I'm currently working on the third, called Odin's Wolves. After that who knows? If people are enjoying it and the books are selling then I'd love to write more. So fingers crossed that young Raven's sword-fame spreads and we can get more folk into the series. It can be tough being the new boy in the genre, specially with so many other great historical authors out there. But I'll do my best! Thanks for getting in touch.
Jim Eves
Hi Giles, great news that Sons of Thunder is coming in Feb, we need Raven to be back,what with Robert Low Orm oathsworn coming to a end in March. We need Raven to take on the mantle, and i know that we will not be disappointed and i am more then happy to take the oathsworn and sail with you and Raven on great tales. Good to hear that you have started the 3rd book, do you have a number in mind of how many there will be in the series, and will you be doing any book signings for Sons of Thunder in the London area? the bookshop that i use and regard as the best is Goldboro Books in Cecil Court London, i know you launched Raven there, it would be great if you had a signing there again. Just to finish with a few recommendations of books that i think you might enjoy.
The Library of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard, Martyr by Rory Clements, Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane, Best of Men by Claire Letemendia and The Gladiator by Simon Scarrow. Until Feb
ANSWER
Hi James,
I received a mail from Rob this morning and he's delving into his new series now, which I'm sure will be amazing. We often discuss what we're up to and I appreciate having him to chat to about this lonely old art of ours. Although I am slightly envious of his beard! I actually launched RAVEN in Nordic Bar W1, which was great fun (and a heavy night ;-). We hired some scantily clad models and dressed them as Viking wenches! Well someone has to hand out the drinks. We even had a huge raven to greet people on the door - a beautiful, intelligent bird. But I did sign some books for Goldsboro. They were fantastic and very supportive when Blood Eye came out. They sold over 200 copies, which is impressive for one shop, and I was very grateful to them. They're also lovely people. It's a great bookshop, a real gem, and I'm sure I'll do something with them for book 2. As for how many RAVEN books there'll be, I'd quite like to keep it going. We'll have to see if people continue to buy them! If they do, I might keep writing them. After all, Raven is still a young man and has very far to go. Thanks for getting in touch and thanks for the recommendations. Much appreciated. I've just bought Outlaw by Angus Donald. Haven't started it yet.
All the best,
Giles.
Tod
Giles,
I just completed Raven (purchased it thru Amazon UK) and did enjoy it very much! When do you anticipate the release of "Sons of Thunder"? Will you please update your website as information is available.
Congratulations on your success, looking forward to many more enjoyable reads of pillage and plunder!
ANSWER
Hi Tod,
So you hunted it down, good work! Very glad you enjoyed it and am only sorry you couldn't find it a little closer to home. Sons of Thunder is due to be unleashed on 26th Feb 2010, with the mass market paperback of Blood Eye out the month before. Seems a long while to wait, specially when it's all done and I'm now onto book 3. But that's the business for you - glacial. I'll keep you informed.
Thanks for coming along for the ride - there's a rising tide and the glint of silver at the far end of the sea road!
Craig
Hi Giles,
Raven: Blood Eye was an incredible read. You have a particular gift for building tension. Such a tightly written story too - a saga that never sagged! Sigurd was a fantastic character. He was everything I can imagine a viking leader would have been: charismatic and generous yet violent and often ruthless when needed.
I was looking for an insight into how you write, particularly in terms of the writing / editing ratio. Do you wait until you've finished a chapter before going back and editing / rewriting or do you wait until you've completed a few or even the whole story? Also what kind of pre-writing work do you do e.g. character profiling etc?
I've harboured hist-fic novelling ambitions for a wee while now but working in the evening and having a toddler running around during the day makes this tricky!
Thanks Craig, I'm thrilled you enjoyed Blood Eye and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. As for Sigurd, he's my favourite, too! In the next book, RAVEN Sons of Thunder, Sigurd gets into a scrap that even made me wince as I was writing it. It's probably the most gruesome thing I've written, but I hope you like it! A good question about the writing/editing ratio. Actually, I like to write through for a day without editing. Then before I begin the next day I'll read through what I wrote the day before and just tidy it up. It also helps remind me where I am. Mind you, this is perhaps easier for me than for some writers, as I don't tend to write that much in a day, unfortunately. If I get 1000 words written in a session I'm satisfied. Strangely, I'll often get up and finish my writing day in the middle of a sentence. No idea why.
And I probably shouldn't admit this, but I don't write character profiles. Way too organised! I like to just write, then add all the flavour once I know where I'm going. If I had to plan everything in advance it would take much of the fun out of it for me. My advice is just write it. Then be prepared to do two or three re-writes, which is not as boring as it sounds, because with every tweak you can feel the story becoming richer and more taut. I appreciate it can be hard to find the time, but just get some words down and you'll soon find your story breathing for itself. Good luck!
Best,
Giles.
Jackie
With all the fascinating periods in history to choose from, why did you go for the 9th century?
ANSWER.
I am half Norwegian and spend as much time as I can at our family cottage in the Norwegian fjords about an hour from Bergen on Norway’s west coast. I have always been passionate about Viking history and thought that although there have been a few books about the Viking Age proper, there has not been much about the first time a bunch of adventurous friends (or Fellowship) boarded a longship and decided to see what they could find (or steal!) I am constantly awed by the bravery of men willing to cross the North Sea in open boats, at the mercy of the elements and lacking support or a safety net of any kind. Their wanderlust and seamanship took them as far as North America and the Caspian Sea. They crisscrossed half the world, dared everything there was to dare and left their mark wherever they went. I always knew I would write a story about these incredible people and to me it is fitting than my first published novel is the one I dreamt of writing for years.
P. Nicholson
Have you always wanted to write? How did you get into it?
ANSWER.
I have always written, whether it be poetry, observational pieces for magazines, or advertising copy and slogans. Language turns me on. I also knew I would one day have a novel published. Of course, this was half-arrogance, half blind optimism, but something like that doesn’t just happen on a whim (unless you are either a literary genius or extraordinarily lucky). You have to want it more than anything. You have to refuse point blank to accept failure. At least, that is what I did. And I am thrilled that all that desperate hoping paid off. Holding a copy of your novel for the first time is a mind-blowing, deeply moving experience.
Lynne Milner
Do you have a routine when it comes to your work and if so, what is it?
ANSWER.
I try to keep a routine but it can be hard for someone like me who can get distracted by a fly or a piece of music or a dripping tap or a daydream. Nevertheless, I try to be at my computer with a cup of tea by 9am. I write and reply to a few emails, do a bit of admin, and read through what I wrote the day before. Then, by about 10.15 I’m ready to begin writing, though with historical fiction this usually means ploughing through books in the name of research. At 1.00 I have some lunch and read the paper so that I feel part of the real world at least for a short time, then I get back to my desk. I write with music playing - sometimes Classic FM, sometimes movie soundtracks such as Brave Heart, Gladiator, and Lord of the Rings. I find these epic scores influence my writing, or at least I hope they do! Around 4.30 I go to the gym. Writing is not good for your posture or waistline. Sometimes I come back to the book, but mostly there are a million other things that need to be done. I fantasize about writing in a cabin in the middle of nowhere and I like to think I wouldn’t miss anything or anyone. I would grow a beard, hang out with a big dog (a proper dog – not one of those pointless fluffy yappy things), and hunt in the forest for my dinner, only venturing into the world of people to deliver my finished manuscript.
Tom
What advice would you give to someone who has an ambition to get published.
ANSWER.
I’m assuming you have an idea about what it is you want to write. If so, write it. Then re-write it. Then leave it alone for a few weeks (this is very hard to do) and come back to it with a little objectivity. Inevitably you will read parts which you think are horrible. They probably are, so re-write, re-write and re-write again. It is so tempting to punch that full stop, write THE END, and send the manuscript to your agent or friend or family member. Don’t do it. Not yet. Especially not an agent - you might only get one chance to hook them. Wait until you’re sure you’re at the stage where you need someone else’s input. You might even consider getting your manuscript critiqued. This can be quite expensive but very helpful. Try www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk or www.writersworkshop.co.uk. Unfortunately, you’re going to need an agent before you can hope to secure interest from a publisher, but when they get you your deal you will love them dearly. You’ll continue to love them when they navigate and negotiate those mind-numbing contracts for you, leaving you free to write (which is, after all what you want to do). Buy a copy of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook. It comes out every year and includes all the information you will need. Even if you never open it, you can slip it inside your jacket to stop bullets or strap a copy to each of your shoes to gain a valuable two inches in height. I suggest you do open it though. Choose a bunch of agents who represent the kind of thing you have written and write to them or call them to ask if they would be interested to see what you have. Write a brief letter describing what you have written and why. Be business-like but try to get your personality across in the letter. Hopefully, they will write back requesting sample chapters. If they don’t, choose another bunch of agents and do the same thing. Do not give up. Ever.
P.S.
Ever.
R. Tsung
What next? How is the next book going?
I am currently working on book two of the RAVEN Series. In it Raven delves deeper into the Norsemen’s world, fully immersing himself in their customs and culture. He has proven himself a worthy young wolf, but now he will need a jarl’s cunning as well as bravery if he is to survive and prosper. Having journeyed to the great Frankish kingdom of the Emperor Charlemagne, the Fellowship finds itself in the greatest danger yet, for this emperor is the Lord of all Christendom and the scourge of heathens. Nevertheless, Raven and the Wolfpack venture on, their ambition still burning fiercely, for they know that only the greatest of deeds will make a good saga-tale and see them remembered around the hearths of the north.
JAYNE BRADSHAW
Hi Giles, out of everything you have achieved, what are you most proud of?
ANSWER
Easy! Having my novel published is the most exciting and wonderful thing to ever happen to me (other than being born, which was also quite an eventful day). You sit for hours, days and years writing away with the almost riduculous hope of someone wanting to publish your story at the end of it all. The odds of it happening are not good. I've read many times that only half a percent of those who write books actually see them published. I was stubborn enough to believe I would make those odds. I was also very lucky that my book ended up in the hands of the right person at the right time.
Lee George
Firstly let me say well done! I really enjoyed your book it was fast paced and un-put-down-able. Just keen to know when the next one is planned for release? Can you recommend any other Viking era books to read? I read the trilogy ‘Viking’ by Tim Severin but it still didn’t have the blood lust and love off war that should be in all Viking books. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated as I’m stuck with the Roman era and not so enjoyable.
ANSWER
Thanks George, I'm so glad you enjoyed it and found it brutal enough! I love Robert Low's Oathsworn series. He weaves a tremendous saga tale. Bernard Cornwell's Arthur trilogy is not a Viking story but it is my favourite ever trilogy and if you haven't read it allready, it should give you what you're looking for. As for the second in the RAVEN series, I have all but finished it , but I'm afraid it won't be released until next year.
John Eldridge
Hi Giles,
I have just read Raven and couldn't put it down, the first with a book for a long time. Its a fantastic read - thanks ! I've got to ask, when is the sequel due out ?
Thanks.
ANSWER
Thank you very much, you're very kind. I'm so glad you enjoyed tearing it up with Sigurd and the Fellowship and I appreciate you letting me know. I've just delivered book 2, at the moment titled RAVEN: Sons of Thunder, and I hope you enjoy that as much if not more. It won't be out until Feb next year though. Meanwhile, in June WATERSTONE'S will be releasing an exclusive version of the first one with some added bits, then we have the paperback sometime after that. So it feels like a long time to wait, for me too!
James Eaves
I have just finished Raven and i must say how much i enjoyed being engrossed with the Fellowship and long to be part of Sigurd's Wolfpack.I now can not wait for the next adventure and i now rate Raven along side Robert Low's Oathsworn series, so come on Giles, get scribeing away and thank you again for the enjoyment you brought to me with Raven.Other authors that i also enjoy are Simon Scarrow,Tim Severin,Conn Iggulden,Robert Low,Allan Mallinson,Bernard Cornwell, Andrew Pepper and Mary Stewart Merlin`s series starting with The Crystal Cave. So untill the next Raven.
ANSWER
Cheers, James, I'm scribbling! Actually, I'm just beginning the research for book 3, so I expect I'll be taking a pile of books on holiday in a couple of weeks. If only my historical library came in e-book format! As for pleasure reading, I'm just reading Conn Iggulden's Bones of The Hills, having left Genghis alone for a while.
Joe Fagan
I would just like to thank you for such a fantastic cracking read and cant wait for the next instalment of Raven I could not put it down brilliant, with some luck there is a film maker out there with the brains to make it into a movie.
ANSWER
Hey Joe, RAVEN the movie would be amazing. I think the actors would have to be unknowns, as I can't think who would play the different characters. Any ideas, let me know. I have an agent in LA looking to sell the movie rights as we speak, but realistically, the chances are very slim. It's nice to daydream though. In terms of reference, I see the movie having the honour of Rob Roy, the camaraderie of Band of Brothers, and the heart of Gladiator. As I said, nice to daydream. ;-)
Duncan Crombie
Congratulations on your first book, a fabulous read, can't wait for the sequels.
You have inherited the proud storytelling skills of your Skald ancestors.
More power to your pen (or word processor).
ANSWER
Well that's a compliment I'll grab with both hands. My agent just told me there was one thing in book two that stretched his credulity just a little, and I had to remind him that it's not me, but Raven recounting the tall tales of his long life. In the best traditions of the sagas, he's almost obliged to stretch things just a little bit. And thank Odin I don't have to use a pen! My hand aches these days after writing a birthday card.
Ian Rugheimer
Hello Giles, just finished Raven blood eye and enjoyed it hugely. Looking forward to further tales. Somewhere in the latter part of the book I came across a typo. The word “covert” was used instead of “covet”. I did not mark it so cannot remember the page, but a word search will find it.
Looking forward to the next one. Am half Swedish as you may gather from e-mail address. Keep writing.
ANSWER
Thanks Ian. Talking of further tales, although I conceived RAVEN as a trilogy, I might be tempted to carry on and give the Fellowship some more adventures. So you can expect to find another typo or two over the next few years if you join them! I think it's almost impossible to pick up on every little thing, especially for me as the writer, as I see it how it is in my mind, not how it is on the page. Dreamers, eh. What can you do with 'em?
Peter Jones
I just wanted to say how much I thoroughly enjoyed your novel, and I will certainly 'come back the next night' to hear more of the saga of Raven and Jarl Sigurd. I most certainly think that along with Robert Low the Oathsworn series, and Bernard Cornwell's the Saxon stories, yours is one of the best historically set novels I have read. May your inspiration never falter.
ANSWER
I'm absolutely thrilled you enjoyed the first in the RAVEN series and I appreciate your letting me know. I am just finishing off the second, which I'm very excited about. Meanwhile, Waterstone's are releasing an exclusive Trade Paperback of Blood Eye in June that will have added material, so it's all going on at the moment. I'm very flattered to be compared to Robert Low, with whom I'm good friends (though I think I need to work on my beard before I can join him in the re-enacting!) and Bernard Cornwell. I think those guys are amazing.
Peter Ronning
Hello, first I want to say I love the book ''raven blood eye''
just wanted to ask if there are any plans of a next book?
really hope so. cant seem to find any info on the internet.
ANSWER
Actually, I've just delivered book 2, currently titled RAVEN: Sons of Thunder, and I'm about to launch into book 3. After that who knows? Though I doubt we'll see the end of young Raven and the Fellowship for quite some time. It's just too much fun to write it!
If you go to 'interviews' on this site you'll find links to quite a few sites, some of which may provide answers to any other questions you might have.
TNL
**WOW!!**
I'm sure there are many mails saying the same thing, Fantastic stuff!!
I picked it up & read it straight through in a day, I literally couldn't put it down, and then even had it in my dreams that night haha. I love the Viking era, and the characters & settings described so well in this,I felt I could step through the page to them. The Norsemen, the powerful ruthless fire & spirit of them, I can almost believe Sigurd & the others to have existed as real people
Thankyou for bringing them to life, I am looking forward to the next installment with great delight! :)
Thank you, I'm thrilled that you connected so solidly with the book. It always amazes me when people read it in one day - after it took me years to write and see published! In a way that's the best compliment I could receive. As for Sigurd and the others, perhaps they did exist or others very like them, men of the misty fjords with fire in their eyes and steel in their hands. I like to think so anyway.
Bullwolfe 'Forkbeard' Eadred
(Tim Whitley)
Dear Sir,
I have just finished reading your first book and just wanted to comment how much I enjoyed it. I have been a member of Norse re-enactment for over 15 years and have apeared as an extra in films such as '13th Warrior', 'Pathfinder', 'King Arthur' and 'Beowolf and Grendal'. I enjoy reading such novels and found your book to be excellent and very well written. I cannot wait to read the next in (I hope) the series.
ANSWER
Dear Bullwolfe,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the book and I appreciate you dropping me a line to say so. With a debut you never know how it's going to be received, but I've been overwhelmed by the response and have decided that I prefer book people to music people (my last profession). It especially means a great deal coming from someone such as yourself, who obviously knows the period and the subject and is very passionate about it. I would imagine you'd be my harshest critic (other than my mother, who incidentally, read the book and called me a 'filthy heathen savage,' and she being Norwegian, too! The cheek! Book two, RAVEN Sons of Thunder is on my editor's desk now and I'm about to wade into book 3, sword in hand, so all is good.
Sounds like you've had a great time going a-viking and on some big movies! I loved 13th Warrior particularly and enjoyed Beowulf and Grendal, too (both in my DVD collection). Pathfinder's depiction of Vikings was more than a little disturbing. You'll have to send me a photo of you in action so I can look out for you next time I watch them.
Tod
(Indiana, U.S.)
Hello,
I found out about Raven thru the Bernard Cornwell fan club on facebook give-away. Has it or will it be published in the U.S. or only in the U.K.? I am really looking forward to reading it. From your website it looks like we share many of the same favorite authors.
Great to hear from you. I'm sorry to say that at this moment in time RAVEN Blood Eye does not have a publisher in the U.S. From what I can gather, even the mighty Mr Cornwell had to wait a while for his stuff to really sell over there, so maybe I'll have to be patient for a while yet. The closest we can get at the moment is Canada! Though it's also coming out in Russia, Spain, Australia and South Africa I think. I'm so glad you're looking forward to reading it, but I guess you might have to try Amazon.