Elin Gregory

Available from all the usual places from 5th October, probably after supper

New release days are always exciting but once the cover, the blurb and the buy links of Halloween Heat 1 are posted,  that’s it. So – just to be different  – I decided that it might be fun to plonk Tristram La Roche down in the Comfy Chair and ask him some pertinent – never impertinent – questions about his story in the anthology, “Love Lies Deep”.

Thanks for agreeing to the interview Tristram. Comfy? Not too much light in your eyes from the inquisitorial anglepoise? Then here we go.

Elin: Short vs long – which do you prefer to read?

Tristram: Fiction is one of those things where size isn’t the most important element. Quality is. I like to read good writing, be it a short story or a novel. There is a lot of rubbish about at the moment and all I can say is, thank goodness for the sampling on Kindle! I would add a little ‘however’: I think some short stories can actually be too long. The clue is in the word ‘short’ and if they drag on and edge towards being a novella I can get fed up. If it is a novella, say so, then the reader is prepared and can set aside the required time. I know this may sound weird to some, but I know what I mean! A novella needs more than a short story so you can’t just write more words without there being reason.

Elin: Would you say that a short story is harder to write than a long one?

Tristram: Quite the opposite. A full novel requires much more thought, development and juggling of ideas, pulling together of threads. But then I am one of those writers who avoids lengthy prose. I like writing to be direct and clear, so the constraints of a short story work well for me. I dare say writers with verbal diarrhoea may disagree.

Elin: Is this your first attempt at writing horror or paranormal?

Tristram: Yes. But I have read horror all my life and wanted to do something like this. So having written this short story and enjoyed it I may turn my attentions to something more substantial.

Elin: Did it take long to come up with an idea?

Tristram: No. When I saw the submission call from Etopia Press I had the idea immediately and started writing. I do have a thing about graveyards. The village in Love Lies Deep is based on the place where we spend some time, though it’s not as exciting in reality.

Elin: Have you ever had a paranormal experience that couldn’t be explained away as marsh gas or too much cheese?

Tristram: I once had sex with a ghost. Joke! No, never. I have gone to haunted sites in the hope of experiencing something but all without success. I’m quite sure I won’t have any such experience. The real life Ken in Love Lies Deep tells me his garden is haunted by an old man in a flat cap, but I think he caught his reflection in the window.

Elin: I’ve done that too 😀  “Aaaaargh! Who is that hideous old woman? Ooops – it’s me!”  Bad hair days can be scary.

Thanks a bunch, Tristram, for the interview and best of luck with the new release.  Here’s hoping to see another solo offering from you before too long.

Meantime – heeeeeere’s Halloween Heat 1, again :

Blurb:

Halloween Heat I
An Anthology of Erotic Paranormal M/M Romance

Five stories of gay love and passion with a paranormal twist, perfect for Halloween.

“Love Lies Deep” by Tristram La Roche
“Idle Hands” by Reneé George
“Costumes” by Dianne Hartsock
“Eden” by Kiran Hunter
“Set in Stone” by Elin Gregory

Available from All Romance eBooks – other links to follow