Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Portsmouth, England. My background is mainly in theatre and film, where I originally pursued careers in acting, directing, producing, editing and screen writing. Most of this work was writing screenplays for independent companies, some of which were made into low budget films and others, which remained on the page. In the latter years, I realised that of all these different jobs, writing was the one I enjoyed the most and often found myself wishing that I could just write stories for a living.
After meeting the love of my life on a touring theatre production, we both chose to leave the theatrical life behind and came to live together on the Isle of Wight to combine our talents of writing and art. It was here that I began to write my first novel: The Hermacles Divide: The Coming of the Dhufal, part of an intended seven book series, which my partner has done all the artwork for. Since then I haven’t stopped, and don’t intend to until every story in my head has been written down, published, and shown to the world.
To date I have written and published two books that are currently available.
‘The coming of the Dhufal’ (A young adult fantasy)
‘Boundless in Torment’ (An Adult Supernatural Thriller)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Boundless in Torment is a Supernatural Mystery Thriller, which deals with many themes, such as life after death, murder, betrayal and redemption.
My inspiration for writing it? I have always had a particular interest in the theme of life after death, and I wanted to write about my own interpretation of what I think might happen.
At the same time, I was reading a lot of Sherlock Holmes and found myself drawn to writing a separate murder mystery novel. It was going to be about a man who was vindicated for a murder he did not commit, and then found to be the chief suspect in a second murder after.
When I came to write each of these stories, I was quite aware that neither story was particularly original and did not have anything special to inspire me to continue with them. I was about to abandon them both when I came up with the idea of merging them together.
In my mind by doing this, both stories would complement each other. The murder mystery would make the supernatural element more intriguing, and the supernatural element would add an unconventional spin on the typical murder mystery.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes I sometimes like to hang upside down from the ceiling whilst holding a long stick that I use to type on my keyboard. Only kidding! No I can’t think of anything particularly unusual I do. I suppose in the past I used to get up and act out some of my fight scenes to get an idea if they would physically work.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favourite authors are a very diverse group writing in genres of crime, fantasy and horror.
I enjoy Simon Kernick for his action packed thrillers. Namely his D.I. Milne Trilogy: The business of dying, A good Day to die, Payback.
George. R. R. Martin for his talent to deal with multiple character arcs and his ability to surprise the reader at every turn. I especially love his Song of Ice and Fire series.
J.K. Rowling for the immersive magical world she created which went from being a children’s story to young adult, and how she inspired me to write my own fantasy series.
Derek Landy for the invention of his many quirky characters, and talent for comic timing in his Skulduggery Pleasant series.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am working on two projects: A choose your own adventure style, Ghost and Time Travel themed game book called The Ghosts of Craven Manor, and a super hero murder mystery called Memoirs of a Super Hero’s Sidekick.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am very new to this whole promotion thing, but so far, I have found Good Reads to have been a great help for both advertising my book, and finding people to beta read and review it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t get too hung up on planning. Try writing that first chapter as soon as possible. Also do consider what you intend to do with the book once it is done. Writing the book is the easiest part. Marketing it right and selling it, is a different story.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Show don’t tell.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Origin by Dan Brown; the fifth book in his Robert Langdon Series that began with The Da Vinci code.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well after finishing the two books I am currently working on, I intend to continue The Hermacles Divide series with the next instalment: The Dark Heart of Jack. I also have plans to release a short story compilation, some more game books, and some more individual novels. I have a whole backlog of projects.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
If I were to be stranded anywhere then I would like long stories or compilations I could finish, so therefore I would bring: The lord of the Rings, The complete works of Sherlock Holmes, The Stand and Cloud Atlas. Although something tells me, I should probably bring a book about surviving on a desert island.
Joseph Daniels’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile