“We are novices at this game and I am not ashamed to admit it; we are winging it as you say, and learning day by day: There are even some days when we know what we are doing!”
Peter Hindley 06 Jun 2012
The Back Flap
The Perfect Crime: A Story of Truth or Fantasy, a new book by Peter Hindley & Susan Goodsell, has been released by RoseDog Books.
Events have accurately been recorded since the time of Alan’s death; they combine to reveal an intriguing story. Did he die naturally or was he helped in some way? Has a crime or two taken place? Some may think so. Maybe there is a conspiracy. If so, how far it may extend is unclear. Nothing is quite as it should be.
This unique book evolves from a simple account to a vast scandalous exposé, a true and topical account showing a fascinating view of human nature, society, and the establishment in theUnited Kingdom. Many questions are posed for the reader and evidence is laid bare as you take a journey of discovery.
The story and writing style changes drastically as the twists and turns in the narrative expose themselves. Ultimately it reaches a logical end, but that is not the end of the story. A sequel is already underway.
About the book
What is the book about?
We take the reader on a journey, yes, the readers become part of that journey, which we have been on since Alan, my brother died, in several places, within his house in March 2002. And if any readers think this is a typing error or I have been drinking or taking some illegal substance, what was in the previous sentence is absolutely true; he even managed to get himself off the floor onto his bed after his death in his wife’s arms. But this is not the only ‘irregularity’ to be exposed, there is plenty more along the way, even within the corridors of power inWhitehall. The issues are serious but that does not mean it is without its moments of humour; I smile to myself when I think of the chapter where our file is being transferred from one policeman’s ‘out tray’ to another’s ‘in tray’.
When did you start writing the book?
I started recording the original strange events surrounding Alan, my brother’s death at the time, in March 2002: I knew something was not right but could not fully comprehend what exactly was going on. I had at that time been close to many people who were close to me and dealt with their affairs after their death but this was something far from normal.
Where did you get the idea from?
When I started writing I had no idea where it was going to take me or what was going to happen, perhaps that is just as well, but I knew very early on that this was a story that needed to be told; I feel the same today, that this is an important story that now covers so many issues that are relevant to people around the world.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Definitely, it was not an easy task, but what is, if it is worthwhile? Strangely enough I found it quite easy to put aside personal feelings towards any of those people involved in the story, no matter how dastardly their deeds: My task was to record with absolute accuracy, so I cannot afford to have any emotions. Today I feel the same towards all that appear within the book cover, it could be said that I am grateful to them in some way because without those people there would be no story, no book.
What came easily?
Writing what was to end up as a book of almost 100,000 words was not something I envisaged or thought I would ever be capable of and it was when I started a very lengthy process to get the right words in the right order; but now with the practice I have had it is much easier. I have always loved words and their usage.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Our people are all real; I use our here as Susan, my niece and daughter of my late brother Alan joined me in the writing and investigation work.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
No author has influenced me when it comes to writing but I must say I had an uncle who was very precise in his diction and use of words: He would often ask “What exactly do you mean by that Peter?” I asked the same question of him one day and he collapsed laughing, probably because no one had had the courage to ask that of him.
Do you have a target reader?
I thought at first the target audience would be any adult but we have been surprised to discover that young people of 11 years old find it interesting; Susan works as a teacher in an English school and many of her pupils have shown tremendous interest.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I am not sure I would describe how we work as a writing process, we have goals and they are to be absolutely accurate in what we put to paper, we also want to make it interesting and involve the reader in the story; we ask the reader questions and they become part of the journey. As for writing rules and formats we tend to stretch and break those in the process. Hopefully that has worked and we are getting feedback which shows that the readers are all taking something different from the book, and not always issues that we had realized existed. How do we work? Well we get a piece of information or an idea and set it to paper, individually or even during phone conversations between me here in France and Susan in the UK and I can tell you it is not easy typing while trying to keep hold of a phone.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just Chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
If it is a complicated piece I tend to jot down relevant words or short notes on what has to be included or the way it needs to be presented within that chapter; sometimes I may do a very rough draft and return to it the next day but that is happening less and less now.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Editing and rewriting is as we go and then when everything was ready we edited again and relocated pieces before final publication.
Did you hire a professional editor?
We deliberately avoided using a professional editor because we knew we were breaking traditional formats and we did not wish to risk any distortion of the facts and their delivery.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Certainly I did not listen to any music, it would have been too distracting; I was, amongst other things a dancer, so I tend to get very involved with what I listen to. It is true I do not dance now although I do coach and judge competitions here inFranceandSpain.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
We have submitted our work to agents and publishes, some years ago I did have an agent who was keen to get the book published but she retired before that happened; actually it was as well because we were to add far more to the story and it is much stronger as a result.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?
The book cover was organized by the publishers and the artist did a splendid job. It was nothing like anything I would have expected and I remember feeling very shocked when I first saw it but the murky background , shady silhouette and magnifying glass speaks volumes.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
We are novices at this game and I am not ashamed to admit it; we are winging it as you say, and learning day by day: There are even some days when we know what we are doing!
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Do what you think is right and do not listen to those who say “I would not do this or that”.
Go for it, you will make mistakes, but the person who makes no mistakes, does nothing. You may fall flat on your face, we all do; it is not important. Keep at it and stay positive.
Most important: do not copy, be yourself, be original.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the outskirts ofLondon,England.
Where do you live now?
Five years ago I left theUKfor a quiet new life in southernFrance, and got everything I planned except the quiet part; quite the contrary, my life is very, very busy but great; every day is an adventure.
What would you like readers to know about you?
That is difficult, Susan sometimes says “Once seen never forgotten”. I don’t think she is being unkind, but at the end of the day I am just me, Peter. Yes, I do think outside the box, the paranormal is normal for me and I keep my mind open, perhaps that is why I have this fantastic life now. There is a little about me in the book including one chapter about my younger days which she insisted stayed with the book (difficult to argue with women when they have made up their minds).
What are you working on now?
We have started the sequel: The story did not stop where we finished the book, and it still has not, only this weekend …
No, that is to be continued.
End of Interview:
Peter can be found on his blog, twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads.
The Perfect Crime can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository, or directly from the publisher.
