Kevin McLeod is one of my favourite new children's authors. His fantastic book series, the Vikings Apprentice, has echoes of magic simply brimming from the pages.
His self published book is an Amazon no. 1 bestseller - fantastic to see a self made, Scottish talent bring their words to the World in a lovely, chubby creation. A real treat for both children and adults alike, he has been an inspiration in my own attempts at writing for children.
I was lucky enough to get to ask him quite a few questions on both his wonderful story and the art of writing itself. His inspirations and aspirations!
But first, the trilogy...
His self published book is an Amazon no. 1 bestseller - fantastic to see a self made, Scottish talent bring their words to the World in a lovely, chubby creation. A real treat for both children and adults alike, he has been an inspiration in my own attempts at writing for children.
I was lucky enough to get to ask him quite a few questions on both his wonderful story and the art of writing itself. His inspirations and aspirations!
But first, the trilogy...
The Viking's Apprentice When school friends Peter and George take their summer holiday with Peter's Granddad it turns into an adventure that none of them will ever forget. Peter must face a future he could never have dreamed of, and a past that has been kept secret for hundreds of years. A fight for friendship and survival that takes them into the Caves of Campbell's Cove and beyond. |
The Viking's Apprentice II - The Master's Revenge The Master’s plan has been foiled, her army weakened, but her resolve hardened. The Master returns to Campbell’s Cove to get revenge on those who thwarted her plans. She has Tolldruck and the fearless Shifter at her side. After saving the children of the Cove Peter and George once again face danger. Together with Peter’s Granddad, and the guardians, they must battle evil once more. Will they succeed or will the Master have her revenge? |
The Viking's Apprentice III - Journey to the Other Side The Master has achieved her goal. Finally she has the Viking in her world. She gave them no other choice. She knew that the Viking and his companions would try to rescue James and Charlotte... The race to save them will take place in a strange and unfamiliar place. Peter, George, Granddad and the others must find their way to the Master’s lair, battle new enemies and bring their friends back safely. Who lives in the strange forest? What lurks in the great cave system? Find out in Journey to the Other Side. |
The Viking's Apprentice cover art by Paul McLeodThe Master's Revenge cover art by Ashraf E. Shalaby Character artwork also by Paul McLeod.
1. Loved the book! Monsters and beasts out in the sea- sold! There is also a mythological presence and plenty of magic. Are you interested in myths and tales of monsters?
Yes absolutely. Scotland has some of the best myths and old wives tales. You can't live here without being caught up in the Loch Ness monster story. I've always been interested in things like bigfoot and the Yeti etc. I'm also very interested in ghost stories. I think having a healthy interest in myths and the supernatural certainly helps my writing.
2. There is also a children's Lord of the Rings vibe (but I think most fantasy novels seem to have the comparison at some point!) are you a Tolkien fan?
I love Tolkien. His books are amazing. The time and effort that must have gone into creating a whole new world, and new languages is mind blowing. The Hobbit was one of the first real books I read and after reading it I tried my hand at writing short (mainly awful) stories. You're right though, most authors of this style get compared to Tolkien at some point and it's a comparison that can be daunting but I always think it should be taken as a compliment
Yes absolutely. Scotland has some of the best myths and old wives tales. You can't live here without being caught up in the Loch Ness monster story. I've always been interested in things like bigfoot and the Yeti etc. I'm also very interested in ghost stories. I think having a healthy interest in myths and the supernatural certainly helps my writing.
2. There is also a children's Lord of the Rings vibe (but I think most fantasy novels seem to have the comparison at some point!) are you a Tolkien fan?
I love Tolkien. His books are amazing. The time and effort that must have gone into creating a whole new world, and new languages is mind blowing. The Hobbit was one of the first real books I read and after reading it I tried my hand at writing short (mainly awful) stories. You're right though, most authors of this style get compared to Tolkien at some point and it's a comparison that can be daunting but I always think it should be taken as a compliment
Visit Pitlochry.org for more info on the beautiful North of Scotland. | 3. You're obviously quite keen on history. Loved the Scottish inspiration in the old wives egg tale and Campbell's Cove. Where's your favourite places to go in Scotland and why? I love Pitlochry and the area around it. So beautiful and peaceful. I have stayed at log cabins up there and the scenery itself is an inspiration. My wife is from Furnace which is a small town on the West coast. It's also the town Campbell's Cove is based on. When I drive there through the hills and forests up there I can picture new scenes in my head and can imagine mythical battles take place. I love anywhere that the scenery inspires you. Pitlochry in the snow is just about perfect. 4. The sea played a big part, with a portal to another World. I find the sea both fascinating and terrifying! Are you the same? I feel exactly the same way. I think it's bizarre that we know more about space than our own oceans and seas. There is so much down there that we have not discovered that it makes you wonder what is and isn't possible. The power of the sea is awesome, and it's something that can make you seem very small. Stories about the Bermuda Triangle and other similar areas near China add to the mystery. The ocean is hiding so much from us that hopefully one day, during my lifetime, we will start to uncover its secrets. |
5. Who are your favourite authors?
I guess everyone would expect me to say some famous children's authors however my favourite authors are Dennis Lehane and RJ Ellory. Lehane wrote the brilliant Shutter Island which is roughly 100 times better than the film! Ellory has written a series of stunning books for example, A quiet belief in Angels and A Simple Act of Violence are two of the greatest books I've ever read. I've been lucky enough to chat back and forth with Ellory on social media and he is an inspiration.
I guess everyone would expect me to say some famous children's authors however my favourite authors are Dennis Lehane and RJ Ellory. Lehane wrote the brilliant Shutter Island which is roughly 100 times better than the film! Ellory has written a series of stunning books for example, A quiet belief in Angels and A Simple Act of Violence are two of the greatest books I've ever read. I've been lucky enough to chat back and forth with Ellory on social media and he is an inspiration.
6. Really visual writing. I felt I was walking through the mansion with the kids and could see the paintings come to life in full glory! And the Goliath was terrifying! Are you influenced by film?
I have a very visual style in my writing. When I think of a story I play out the scenes in my head. The next step might seem odd, but I think of a soundtrack or score that would go with the images. For example for the Viking's Apprentice the theme I picked was Tron Legacy as I could see. The soundtrack fits the huge landscapes and mysterious goings on in the book. I love movies of all genres I will give anything a watch and love uncovering some rare gems. I can't help watching movies in my genre now and wishing it was the Viking's Apprentice on the screen. I can see the trailers and play out the scenes... maybe one day.
7. The scale of the World you created turned out to be immense. Great build up. Think it would make a fantastic animated movie. Any plans in that direction?
As I said above it's my next goal to get my books on to the big screen. I have made enquiries in that area and have some brilliant contacts who are working behind the scenes for me. In my third book I thank a person called Joey Franks for all her advice and work. It's Joey who has introduced me to the movie side of things and I've some interesting and informative chats on Linkedin with people from Disney and Warner brothers. Watch this space!
I have a very visual style in my writing. When I think of a story I play out the scenes in my head. The next step might seem odd, but I think of a soundtrack or score that would go with the images. For example for the Viking's Apprentice the theme I picked was Tron Legacy as I could see. The soundtrack fits the huge landscapes and mysterious goings on in the book. I love movies of all genres I will give anything a watch and love uncovering some rare gems. I can't help watching movies in my genre now and wishing it was the Viking's Apprentice on the screen. I can see the trailers and play out the scenes... maybe one day.
7. The scale of the World you created turned out to be immense. Great build up. Think it would make a fantastic animated movie. Any plans in that direction?
As I said above it's my next goal to get my books on to the big screen. I have made enquiries in that area and have some brilliant contacts who are working behind the scenes for me. In my third book I thank a person called Joey Franks for all her advice and work. It's Joey who has introduced me to the movie side of things and I've some interesting and informative chats on Linkedin with people from Disney and Warner brothers. Watch this space!
8. I recently read that no writer should face writers block if they have planned properly. Not sure I believe this! What's your planning process?
I have the main points in my story planned out ahead. For example this current series is four books long so I have each book planned (roughly) and I know where each will finish. For the Viking's Apprentice series I planned my characters out in advance with lots of time taken to make the 'baddies' as scary as possible for children. I thought back to my own childhood and what made me scared when I was young. I was scared of the dark and what might be hiding in the shadows. This where the inspiration for the Shadow walkers came from.
I knew the story I wanted to write would involve two friends who visit a relative on their summer holidays and an adventure would ensue. However the adventure they ended up on changed several times as did the secrets revealed throughout the books. Once I begin writing the story I realise that the characters would not always react the way I had originally predicted. The new reactions then take your story in a different direction that you didn't envisage. Does that make any sense?
Oh and writers block is very really and has happened several times to me in the past couple of years. When it strikes go away and do something else. Play the xbox, go to the gym, play with the kids, take the dogs for a walk or sometimes I cook!
I have the main points in my story planned out ahead. For example this current series is four books long so I have each book planned (roughly) and I know where each will finish. For the Viking's Apprentice series I planned my characters out in advance with lots of time taken to make the 'baddies' as scary as possible for children. I thought back to my own childhood and what made me scared when I was young. I was scared of the dark and what might be hiding in the shadows. This where the inspiration for the Shadow walkers came from.
I knew the story I wanted to write would involve two friends who visit a relative on their summer holidays and an adventure would ensue. However the adventure they ended up on changed several times as did the secrets revealed throughout the books. Once I begin writing the story I realise that the characters would not always react the way I had originally predicted. The new reactions then take your story in a different direction that you didn't envisage. Does that make any sense?
Oh and writers block is very really and has happened several times to me in the past couple of years. When it strikes go away and do something else. Play the xbox, go to the gym, play with the kids, take the dogs for a walk or sometimes I cook!
9. Do you listen to music as you write? I find my mood is too heavily influenced by music. White noise seems to do the trick though, oddly!
I do listen to music, I've already mentioned that I listened to Tron Legacy when I wrote the Viking's Apprentice. I find that when I listen to music my mind focuses and I write better material. No idea why that's the case but it is what works for me.
10. Where do you write? Do you have a special spot? What makes it special?
This is going to be the most boring answer to any of these questions. I work at the dinning room table. It's where I've always written my books. However we are moving house soon so I might find a new spot I like better. When I had my day job at the civil service I used my lunch times to find a quiet spot in the canteen to write notes and plan characters.
I do listen to music, I've already mentioned that I listened to Tron Legacy when I wrote the Viking's Apprentice. I find that when I listen to music my mind focuses and I write better material. No idea why that's the case but it is what works for me.
10. Where do you write? Do you have a special spot? What makes it special?
This is going to be the most boring answer to any of these questions. I work at the dinning room table. It's where I've always written my books. However we are moving house soon so I might find a new spot I like better. When I had my day job at the civil service I used my lunch times to find a quiet spot in the canteen to write notes and plan characters.
11. I see it took two years to finish your book. What would you say to other writers to encourage them through the long slog?
When I wrote the final words of the final draft of The Viking's Apprentice the feeling was amazing. Knowing that I had written something that made me so proud and gave me such a feeling of accomplishment that the two years was worth it. There will be times when you might not write for a week or so. and there will be times when you feel that your not good enough or the story is going nowhere. Never give up that is the one thing I say to all new writers that contact me. The difference between me and lots of other authors out there is I didn't give up. I believed in myself and stuck at it. Too many people give up too easily in this world of wanting everything straight away with little effort. If you stick to your dreams and your goals the results are worth it.
12. What's your next steps and what are you working on now?
I'm working on book 4 in The Viking's Apprentice series just now. After that I have plans to write a book based on my experiences in the civil service. Then I plan to go back to The Viking's Apprentice but when the characters in the book are 10 years older.
13. I know you're starting a new blog, writing three things that make you happy each day. What has brought you the biggest smile so far?
My daughters bring the biggest smile to my face. Holding both of them for the first time was the most amazing feeling. Writing wise the biggest smile was when a teacher told me that my book had made a reader out of a non reader. Or when I received a photo from Hong Kong of a boy dressed as a character from my book for World book day at his school.
When I wrote the final words of the final draft of The Viking's Apprentice the feeling was amazing. Knowing that I had written something that made me so proud and gave me such a feeling of accomplishment that the two years was worth it. There will be times when you might not write for a week or so. and there will be times when you feel that your not good enough or the story is going nowhere. Never give up that is the one thing I say to all new writers that contact me. The difference between me and lots of other authors out there is I didn't give up. I believed in myself and stuck at it. Too many people give up too easily in this world of wanting everything straight away with little effort. If you stick to your dreams and your goals the results are worth it.
12. What's your next steps and what are you working on now?
I'm working on book 4 in The Viking's Apprentice series just now. After that I have plans to write a book based on my experiences in the civil service. Then I plan to go back to The Viking's Apprentice but when the characters in the book are 10 years older.
13. I know you're starting a new blog, writing three things that make you happy each day. What has brought you the biggest smile so far?
My daughters bring the biggest smile to my face. Holding both of them for the first time was the most amazing feeling. Writing wise the biggest smile was when a teacher told me that my book had made a reader out of a non reader. Or when I received a photo from Hong Kong of a boy dressed as a character from my book for World book day at his school.
14. If you had a writing apprentice, what would be your top 3 tips? 1) Never give up. 2) Always write about something you know about or an area that you are fascinated with. I know that might seem odd as I'm a fantasy writer however the town my books are based in is based on a place I have visited 100 times. Knowing the setting lets the story flow and lets me see how the characters interact with the environment. 3) Never proof read your own work. As the writer you are too close to the story and will read what you meant to wrote not what you've actually written. |
15. And finally- chubby bean coffee! What’s your perfect cup or spot?
My perfect coffee spot is not so far away. It's a placed called D'nisi in Hamilton which serves the best coffee I have ever tasted. The atmosphere is laid back and there is enough privacy to get lost in your own world and enjoy your coffee while getting on with some writing. Having said that I do remember sitting in a friends house in Dunblane when we were younger watching the snow fall as we drank coffee in their TV room. Something about the cold of the snow and warmth of the coffee and the company of friends made that a special day.
You can purchase all of Kevin McLeod's The Viking's Apprentice books on Amazon.com.
Or follow Kevin's blog and exciting news on his website and on Twitter.
Read the Viking's apprentice reviews on Goodreads.
Thank you Kevin for your time and brilliant advice. Can't wait to read more!
Or follow Kevin's blog and exciting news on his website and on Twitter.
Read the Viking's apprentice reviews on Goodreads.
Thank you Kevin for your time and brilliant advice. Can't wait to read more!