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I write crime novels set in the north of England and based on the tone and attitude of the best American crime writers. Many of these writers seem to me to understand the relationship between plot, character and social observation that the great literary writers have always created. I spent many years studying and teaching literary fiction and I feel that crime writers are beginning to take over the mainstream ground that 'proper' fiction once inhabited. As attention spans get shorter and our time is fragmented by the demands of multiple media inputs, fiction that has pace and plot now seems more apt than ever. This is the kind of writing that I want to create.
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What inspired you to write?
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I read everything as a child and teenager and eventually wanted to try to do it too. I've been writing properly since about the age of 14 and find new influences all the time.
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What genre do you write in?
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Crime, detective fiction, mystery, thriller.
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What books have you written?
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Altered Life
The Private Lie
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What is the address of your official web site?
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http://samdyke.blogspot.com/
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Who are your favourite authors?
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F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, Gore Vidal, Kurt Vonnegut, Joseph Heller, Martin Amis, Annie Proulx, James Lee Burke, John Sandford, Robert Crais, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, Lawrence Block, Richard Price, Walter Mosley
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What are your top five writing and/or publishing tips for budding authors?
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- Identify your genre
- Read everything you can in your genre
- Make your dialogue full of conflict
- Divide your book into identifiable 'scenes'
- Make sure each scene has a purpose and drives the plot forward
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Any final words of wisdom?
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Hi – enjoy your reading. It's the best way to spend your time when you're on your own!
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