Falsely accused of murder twelve year old Evan Peregrine battles through a raging storm to get home to the island of Little Yarnmouth only to find it deserted. Searching for explanations he is plunged into the savage world of the Conkwoyoto, an Arctic tribe that turned to piracy after the polar ice cap broke apart. But there is something strangely familiar about these men and their tattooed faces. Now Evan must avoid being captured by the police and Conkwoyoto while trying to track down the missing islanders, prove his innocence in a murder, and uncover the mystery of the Arctic tribe.
Today I’m joined by Tim Van Minton, author of ‘The Little Yarnmouth Abduction’ a dystopian scifi novel with a marine twist for children and the young at heart. Tim, thanks for setting some time aside to catch up with me today. The story that you’ve crafted in this novel is an interesting amalgamation of many different aspects. What drove you to meld all of these ideas together into a single thread?
The idea began as I imagined the type of book I would have loved to read when I was in my early teens. I wanted there to be islands and it to be cold and my main character needing to know all about boats. I loved the idea of commuting to school in a boat and so incorporated that.
Have you spent much time on the water yourself?
Yes, I spent a lot of time on the water growing up, so writing about Evan in a storm at sea was something I could write about from my own experiences.
Aside from your personal experiences, did you also find that you needed to integrate other aspects into the storyline to increase the robustness of the plot?
I did a lot of research into the effects of climate change on the Arctic and how micro climates could occur.
Including research, how long did it take you a long time to complete the book from start to finish?
Five years.
That’s a significant investment of time. What techniques did you use to keep yourself coming back to the keyboard, I assume you typed?
Yes.
Okay, so what tips and tricks did you use to keep writing during this period?
Write as often as you can and read a lot. You can always be learning by reading other work.
That sounds like a handy excuse to read more. What are your reading tastes?
I like good writing and I look for authors who’s writing style appeals to me. The books I’ve read over the years have had a huge influence on my choice to be a writer and my writing style.
For example, what are you currently reading?
A Short History of Seven Killings, by Marlon James. Not what you expect for a YA writer but I love to read well written fiction and this so far is amazing.
That probably wouldn’t have been my first guess, but if it’s well written or has a fantastic plot what does it matter. As a YA author do you have a personal favourite book of yours from when you were a child?
The Little Prince
Good choice. Out of all of the literary characters out there do you have a favourite?
Lady Bracknell in the Importance of Being Earnest
Another good choice. Do you ever dream about your own characters?
Yes
And did you get distracted by their voices when you were editing? Did you do much of editing yourself?
I actually had two agents work on this manuscript with me. Their editing advise was invaluable, although sometimes it conflicted with my own.
Conflict can be great for writing as it challenges the quality of what you are putting on the page. The quality and design of your book cover is really top notch too. How did it come about?
I came up with idea for it and Ebook Launch designed it. I think they did an amazing job.
I have to agree. And when you had finished the final novel finished it must have been very satisfying. How did you feel when you got your first unsolicited book review?
Elated
That’s awesome. Now that you’ve been through the self-publishing process, do you have any key take aways?
Be patient and persist.
It sounds to me that writing this book hasn’t scared you away from writing. Have you started on working on anything else that you can tell us about?
Yes, St. Georges PRS, a YA paranormal novel. Here’s the blurb: When Arun Anderson is sent to St. Georges Private Reform School for stealing a boat he expects the horror stories about prison guard like teachers, harsh discipline techniques and inedible food to be true. But after an arduous ferry ride to a remote island he soon discovers that St. Georges P.R.S. is not a reform school but a Paranormal Research School. Within days Arun accidentally enters a mysterious room full of strange artifacts, one of which comes alive in his presence. Following the experience he suffers terrible screaming nightmares. No sooner do they stop than the whole school starts suffering from them, yet no one but Arun is aware of it. Unusual occurrences are happening throughout the grounds. Teachers are acting different, pupils are acting different and Arun’s visionary nightmares are turning into reality. Now he must find out why everyone is acting so strangely and what has left an enormous hole in the Arctic ice and is now making its way south towards St. Georges Island.
That sounds like another fast paced adventure to me. Good luck with it’s progress. Now before I let you go today I’d just to know your favourite quote or philosophy on life as I think that authors often have great life advice.
Philosophy: Be mindful and live life now
Quote: The past is past, the future has yet to happen, the present is now
Tim, thank you again for setting time aside to chat with me today. I’d like to wish you the best of luck with your promotion of ‘The Little Yarnmouth Abduction’ and I hope that we can catch up in the future to get the skinny on your upcoming work.
Want to find out more about Tim Van Minton? Connect here!