The Gordian Knot by Kevin Marsh Author Interview!

Congratulations to author, Kevin Marsh on the publication of The Gordian Knot. It is the second book in his series. The first was The Belgae Torc which I really enjoyed.  The Gordian Knot is out now available for purchase on Amazon. I will post links to both Amazon sites and his website at the end of the interview.

I have to say I have read his first two books, The Belgae Torc and The Witness and loved his writing style, his passion for history and research. His writing is excellent.   I hope you all enjoy our author interview about his latest novel, The Gordian Knot out now in paperback!

Twelve months has passed since the traumatic events that almost claimed her life and Dr Orlagh Gairne is looking forward to a well-earned holiday. With her partner, Jerry, they jet off for the Aegean coast where they plan to make the most of the Mediterranean sun and visit the ancient sites of Anatolia. The Phoenix Legion, still reeling from a humiliating defeat, have re-grouped and are now planning the next phase of their quest. They are in possession of the Belgae Torc, but this is not enough to ensure total power so they must rely on the druids and their connection with the spirit world. Whilst searching for treasure in the Sea of Azov, Jack Harrington and his team make an unexpected discovery and with the past merging with the present are unable to avoid being drawn in to another deadly battle. The Belgae Torc, Jack Harrington and The Phoenix Legion are far from her thoughts, but as Orlagh enjoys her holiday with the man she loves, these forces come together. Will she manage to avoid another conflict or will she become a victim of circumstances that are beyond her control? "People had died because of the Belgae Torc and somehow she felt responsible." From the author of The Belgae Torc.

• Paperback: 314 pages
• Publisher: Paragon Publishing (July 12, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1782222650
• ISBN-13: 978-1782222651

1)      The Gordian Knot is the second book to follow-up The Belgae Torc. Tell us a bit about what the title refers to and if any characters from The Belgae Torc are in this one, too?

 The Gordian knot is a legend of Phrygian Gordian associated with Alexander the Great and is often used as a metaphor for an intractable problem.

I thought this an appropriate title because of the challenges facing my characters.  The mystery and power surrounding the Belgae Torc has an effect on them all and this forms the basis of The Torc Trilogy.

As the plot is linked with both Germanic Paganism and Celtic mythology, I chose the Triquetra,a three cornered shape and symbol used by both Christians and Polytheists, as a foundation for some of the druidic rituals in the story.  It is also an appropriate image for the cover of the book.

This particular design is influenced by an illustration in the Lindisfarne Gospels and although it’s a Celtic or ‘trinity knot’, I think it symbolises the metaphor perfectly.  The colour green and the Celtic element is for Orlagh and her Irish roots.

Every aspect of my novel is influenced by this magical design, and the title; The Gordian knot, leads nicely into the final part of The Torc Trilogy, but that is of course, another story.

  2)      What inspired you to write The Gordian Knot and was it a natural progression from The Belgae Torc?

 1.       My inspiration to write The Gordian Knot came from a discussion with my publisher.  The Belgae Torc was always going to be a standalone novel, but it seemed such a shame not to develop my characters Orlagh Gairne, Jack Harrington and Jerry Knowles, just to mention a few further.  The idea was to start with the love aspect between Orlagh and Jerry. This began in the first book but as this one is set twelve months later it seemed natural that they should have grown closer.   I couldn’t resist starting the book however, with high drama, so that is what I have done. The Gordian Knot is a natural progression from The Belgae Torc with all the elements in place.  The protagonists are the same as before, but I’m not going to say too much. 

3)      Are you a visual person when you write? Do your characters speak to you, can you see the scene before you as you write it out or do the words just flow?  Describe your writing process?

 1.       I am a very visual writer, the scenes are running through my head like a fast forward film and it’s sometimes very difficult to keep up with my pen.  My characters talk to me constantly; I can hear their voices inside my head and if I’m not careful I answer them back.  Maria, my wife thinks I’m mad talking to myself!  It’s then I have to grab a pen and write down whole sections of conversation.

I will have an idea, a direction in which I want to plot to go, then something will happen unexpectedly and my characters find themselves in an unexpected situation.  It’s then I have to do more research in order to understand what is happening , learn about what is going on and use it to help them out of a fix.  For example, I have not been to some of the places described in the plot, so I have to use the internet and books to find out, learn as much as I can so that I am able to write convincingly about the scenes.  I have never flown a helicopter or dived on a wreck, but I now know enough to be able to convince my readers that I’m an expert.  Once I have enough notes and ideas, the words flow and the scenes play out in my mind.  I write in a chronological order, and don’t jump from chapter to chapter, although I sometimes have to write notes to cover ideas of what might happen in a few chapters time.

I always write my first and second draft by hand, I have a rough book in which I write, then I copy that into a second book, expanding or scrubbing out lines as I see fit.  That gives me an opportunity to read/write what I have done the previous evening and get my thoughts back on track.  Typing and changes come next and when the manuscript is complete I bring out the red pen.  I will do a major edit and re-type, then further editing until there is little red pen left to correct.  Then it’s time for Maria to read and criticise.  Once that is done the proofreaders have their say.  More typing as I take on board their corrections and critique then the manuscript is ready for the publisher.

4)      What are you working on next? 

 1.        I am now planning the next book in the series.  I have started my research and I know where the plot is going, or at least how it begins.  All the elements are in place but that is not to say things won’t change when the characters have their say.  I have the title for the final book in this series and I know what is going to happen, some of the middle bits remain a little sketchy, but as I said; once the characters get going…

I am having loads of ideas for other books too; there are notebooks aplenty in my study with plots emerging and dialogue forming.    The Cellist is the second book in the series that began with The Witness, and the characters in that book are beginning to shout, they want their story to be heard, but I have to complete The Torc Trilogy first.

5)      Any advice for writers out there?

1.       My advice to writers out there is to write about what you know and what you are interested in.  Form strong characters that will help you to turn out good novels.  Make sure of your facts, research very carefully until you are confident with the facts.  Don’t be afraid to use that red pen when you edit, it is your sword, your strength so be brave or even ruthless with it.  Nothing is good enough, but there will come a time when you have to stop and cannot change any more.  I also paint, my pictures like my books are never finished to my liking, there is always something I want to change.  Do not be tempted to change things once the proofreaders have done their job.  I did once to my peril and it was a very hard lesson to learn.  Above all you must enjoy your writing and give it your best shot.  The job does not end when the novel is finished, but marketing is another story!

To purchase The Gordian Knot in the U.S.,  Amazon

To purchase The Gordian Knot in the U.K.,  Amazon

For more information about the author, visit his website,  Kevin Marsh