Welcome, today we are talking with Julian Parrott! I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to answer a few questions. First, let’s delve into who you are. Some of the questions may be untraditional but you’d be surprised at what readers connect to, and sometimes the simplest ‘I can relate to that’ grabs their interest where nothing else can.
Can you share a little something about yourself that’s not mentioned in your bio on your website?
While working for a university, I had the opportunity to research the social impact of James Bond. I always enjoyed the movies but hadn’t read any of the Ian Fleming novels. While researching, I began to view the novels and the films through a different lens and became quite a fan. Yes, I know that there have been a lot of problems with sexism, racism, and misogyny but the more recent films have attempted to address the issues and have pushed authentic representation in the character development. I ended up teaching a number of university classes on Bond and Fleming’s cultural influence. And, of course, Fleming inspired me to write my first novel, Fit for Purpose, in a rather strange way. My wife and I were traversing the incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct – the highest canal aqueduct in the world – and I thought it would be an incredible location for a pivotal scene in a Bond movie and, so, that evening, sitting in the cozy cabin of our canal boat, I wrote a scene and then another and, all of a sudden, I had a good start to a novel.
How long have you been writing?
A long time! I spent a fair few years in universities writing academic papers – usually around history or education themes – but always wrote for fun with some short stories, poetry, and a few stymied novels. I also wrote for work, including a stint as a journalist for a year before settling into a role as a university administrator and the kind of formal writing the position required. It was 2018 when I started writing my first novel.
What have you found most challenging about it?
I think trying to make characters – even minor ones – feel fully fleshed out and real. I strive to make my characters appear genuine and authentic. I look for little things to add – such as a coffee preference or an item of clothing – that can lead the reader to have a little more of a sense as to who this person is and what they are thinking and feeling. But it is the dialogue and the thoughts of a character that can make them appear authentic – or not! I have been touched when people have told me that she feel them “know” my characters. It’s hard work to get there – but worth it.
What does writing do for you? Is it fun, cathartic, do you get emotional?
I feel rather lucky as I enjoy the writing process. I tend to write organically insofar as I have a plot but let the story, scenes, characters, and other plotlines evolve when writing. A new character can get me excited and take the story in a new direction and this occurred in my first novel with the development of Nia, the love interest. For me, she just immediately jumped off the page as a strong, interesting, and complex woman who demanded more of a role and steered the plot from straight spy thriller into thriller-romance territory. I have become emotionally attached to my characters – especially the romantic coupling of Nia and Tom – that I want to continue writing about them and their adventures.
Describe what your writing routine looks like. Are you disciplined with a strict schedule or do you have to be in the mood?
Mostly being in the mood. I’m lucky that I can write pretty much anywhere so when the muse strikes, I can fire-up the laptop and start. I’d like, however, to begin to be a bit more scheduled and it is something I will strive to be and do and I get deeper into writing my third novel.
Did you go into writing thinking that it would be a hobby or a job?
Hobby. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience writing my first novel that I knew I wanted to keep that going.
What inspires you?
Connections. The love and bond that can be shared between people be they couple, family members, or colleagues. How those connections can extend to animals – I’m a dog guy – and nature. I try to incorporate elements into my novels. I’m also inspired by acts of honor and integrity that can be classically or quietly courageous.
Let’s move on and give readers some insight into your personal life.
If you could go to heaven, who would you visit?
Family members.
Just for fun. What is your least favorite:
- Hero type – Superhero
- Body part – Feet
- Overused word in a title – The
- Genre – Magical realism
- Dirty word – I like them all.
Now that our readers know who Julian Parrott is let’s get down to the business of your book, Of Love and Honour.
Please tell us a little bit about, Of Love and Honour is, in essence, about love. No surprise given the title! The main protagonists, Nia and Tom, are in their mid 40s and both have struggled with relationships in their pasts but are now thrilled to find real love at this point in their lives. But it’s not easy for them for not only do they lead different life styles, Nia is an actress and Tom is a retired soldier living on a canal boat, they find themselves pulled into international intrigue when they help a Russian defector. They quickly realize that they are caught in a dangerous game where the Russians, the CIA, and the British security services are all willing to kill to maintain the balance of power. The intelligence services and ghosts from Nia and Tom’s pasts put their love in jeopardy and, at times, they question whether their love can survive and at other times they question will they survive. The story bounces from the UK to Canada, the US, and even Jamaica with some surprising twists and turns befitting a romantic thriller.
What was your hardest challenge writing this book?
Trying to make the main protagonists genuine and authentic characters. I want the reader to really like Tom and Nia and to care about them as a couple as they face the kind of threats that most of us, thankfully, never encounter. I want the reader to be pulling for them to continue to grow together while escaping the life-threatening situations they have found themselves in.
What kind of research did you have to do?
My research was kind of retroactive in that I wrote characters into places I have visited. I am hoping that a reader will find descriptions of, say, Tom and Nia’s trip to Chicago O’Hare, or Tom’s climb up Snowdon in Wales very real and familiar.
What in your opinion makes good chemistry between your leading characters?
I think a sense that each character understands the other, that there is an ease and comfort in their interactions. I think there needs to be some humor that feels very natural. Importantly, I think there needs to be little gestures and how they look at each other, how they think of and about each other, that helps develop and describe the characters’ depth of connection to and for each other. It all needs to feel non contrived and naturalistic.
Any other works in progress?
Currently working on a third Nia and Tom novel but this one will have intrigue that has roots in Welsh/American mythology and history.
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Just keep writing. If hitting the dreaded writers’ block, spend an hour in a coffee shop and write about what you see and especially what you hear! You may be able to use the whole scene in your novel or use some of what you have over heard in some of your character’s’ dialog. Also, don’t spend time while writing to edit. Plenty of time for editing when the writing is finally done!
Final words?
Embrace your inner romantic novelist. We all need a little more love in the world.
Please include the following links and an author picture:
Website: https://julianparrott.com
Email: jdparrott2@gmail.com
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