June is National Crime Writing month. We’ve asked Frome-based author Dandy Smith some questions. We hope you enjoy reading…
What are your top 5 writing essentials?
- A writing space that inspires. I love my writing space. Before my book deal with Embla, I used to write on the sofa or from my bed. Shrinking myself and my ambition in case it was never realised. It took a publishing house buying my book before I considered myself deserving of space. I regret that now. I wish I’d believed in myself enough to invest in a desk. To procure things I found beautiful. To create an inspiring nook that was all mine. You deserve space. Take it.
- Snacks. How will you ever make it to that word count goal unless you have a chocolate orange to motivate you?
- Walks. Almost all my plot holes and writing woes can be resolved after a walk around my local park in Frome. Also, my two cocker spaniel puppies – Ivy and Maple – wholeheartedly approve of this as a writing essential.
- Sounding boards. I did and undergraduate and a master’s degree in writing, and once I graduated, I really felt the loss of the workshop groups, so I created my own. I am forever bouncing ideas off my loved ones. I even give chapters of my work in progress to friends as I write. Their feedback in invaluable – their honesty, criticism and praise make me a better writer.
- Reading. It really is important to read widely. There is merit in every genre. If you don’t have time to sit and read a physical book, listen to audiobooks. I play mine during walks with the dogs, when I’m at the gym, cleaning my house or doing boring life-admin tasks. I’m so grateful to Daphne Kouma and Georgia Maguire who bought One Small Mistake to life so brilliantly.
June is National Crime Writing Month. Who is your favourite crime author and why?
It’s almost impossible to choose only one because there’s a wealth of talent within the genre. I think I’ve read almost everything B.A. Paris has written – her storytelling is suspenseful and seamless. Charlotte Bigland’s debut It’s Not Me, It’s You is a whip-smart, contemporary take on the genre and I keenly anticipate her next novel. Sarah Goodwin, author of Stranded, writes dark, atmospheric tales that are laced with delicious prose. If you pick up a book by any of the aforementioned authors, you won’t be disappointed.
How do you research and plan before beginning to write?
If you looked at my search Google history, you’d be concerned. There’s everything from baby name websites to questions like “Which oral poison is odourless and tasteless?” and “How long does it take a body to decompose in the height of summer?”. If I can’t find answers online, I will seek answers from people in the field I’m researching. For The Perfect Match I had a few queries regarding police protocols so I contacted ex-detective turned crime author Caroline Mitchell who was super helpful.
I also really enjoy visiting places I intend to set scenes. In the book I’m writing now, tentatively named Never Coming Back, part of the story is set in St Ives so I’ve done a few trips there to get a feel for the place. In terms of planning, I usually have the first and last scene of a novel in my mind before I start outlining chapters. Scenes play out in my head like a film with the dialogue coming first. I am constantly making notes on my phone but I don’t sit down to write until I have a rough outline for every chapter.
What do you think makes a successful crime novel?
I’ve always been drawn to character-led stories. I look for characters I can relate to, am amused by, or can root for. This is a hot take, but I love a spikey, difficult, unlikeable narrator or even an unreliable one – I find them fascinating. For me, dark humour and sharp writing are important and a tightly woven plot is essential, especially in crime fiction.
What are you working on next?
I’m working on the first draft of my third novel, and I am engrossed. One Small Mistake did incredibly well which meant the bar was high for The Perfect Match. All of a sudden, I had a readership and a publishing house who I didn’t want to let down. I put a huge amount of pressure on myself which made the second novel a struggle. Luckily, The Perfect Match has been just as loved by readers as my debut which meant I went into writing my third book with a lot more confidence. Here’s a mini blurb: After witnessing her sister’s abduction when they were children, Caitlin is sure Olivia is never coming home. Sixteen years later though, Olivia returns. But is this woman who she claims to be or is she an insidious imposter? Caitlin is determined to discover the truth or die trying…
This interview was conducted for Crime Reading Month in 2023.