Once again, we return to another installation of a most artistic author. Today we speak with Matt Adcock who was kind enough to spend time sharing with authors his time and talent.
After a short bit of research, I learned he has a passion for writing which spans across several genres. He, like a lot of writers, freelances to keep his craft sharp. I enjoyed learning from this intelligent example of a great writer, and I know you will too
He’s about to have his first novel COMPLETE DARKNESS – A Darkmatters Novel which launches October 25th 2019 – so make sure to check that out!
He has dedicated himself to weekly film reviews for a group of newspapers across UK for 20 years. He is an editor and Contributor for a film review blog – Darkmatters – The Mind of Matt, which helps people like me who never get to see movies.
He also has several short stories including: What waits for us in the Dark (Matter)? A Darkmatters Universe Fragment which he makes for Forever Endeavour online magazine.
He has plans for new books and publications to fulfil the SciFi fix. His second novel out of his Darkmatters series – Universe: S O U L : T R A C E is in the works and it is interesting.
Check out this synopsis: in the near future we develop technology to ‘trace’ people’s souls which turn out to be real – who’d have thought? With a vicious serial killer on the loose, the authorities are baffled when they run the trace to try and find that this trace ‘jumps’ and is non-linear. Can a gutsy female private detective who calls herself JJ be the one to crack this case and take down the killer who has been nicknamed ‘ZeoBarabbas’ due to (his?) taste for killing those with a faith.
When he is not writing novels, he is the Head of Communications for a UK social action charity: Church Urban Fund. He has worked in communications roles for over 25 years. However, he has worn many hats and taken on diverse roles including: Education, Health Care, Charity and Theology.
Once when he was National Press Officer for the YMCA he got an exciting opportunity. He met and was interviewed on TV with The Village People when they released the ‘Millennium Mix’ of their classic YMCA song. That sounds like a real fun experience
He is also a film reviewer for a group of newspapers which means he gets the privilege to go to the cinema every week for free! He says: “It’s a sacrifice I’m very willing to make.” He is a lucky guy!
Before we get to the interview, make sure to check out more. You can find his websites & social media:
Author Page; www.facebook.com/completedarknessnovel/
Book Twitter: www.twitter.com/CompleteDarkne2
Personal Twitter: www.twitter.com/Cleric20
Without further ado; here is inside Matt Adcock’s writing career and life as a wordsmith extraordinaire. Thank you again Matt for talking with us – I am glad to learn more
What was your publishing path?
I got extremely lucky – I found out that my pal Richard Mayers who I started a film club with -was a partner in a publishing company: Burton Mayers. We got chatting and he said he’d published some books, I asked him to read mine and it went from there. The editing process took longer than expected but it’s exciting to see this creation that has been in my head for so long become a book and be shared with the world…
Is writing something you have always wanted to do?
Absolutely – I can’t imagine an existence where I don’t write stuff. As a child I kept a diary which would often veer off into flights of fantasy, I think that’s where it all started.
What influences your writing the most?
My influences are diverse, having reviewed almost a thousand films in the last 20 years I’d say that getting a weekly input of creative big screen action has definitely influenced my output. I read tons too – everything from Jane Austen through to Irvine Welsh plus am a huge comic book fan.
I see you are an editor – is this your own business or collaboration? What would you say editing taught you about writing? What advice would you give writers as an editor?
I edit posts for the blog but also briefings, media releases and web copy for work. The main rule is for the copy to ‘fulfil its purpose’ – be that to entertain, inform or provoke.
Who would win in a fight: Batman or Iron Man?
Iron Man for sure unless Batman could somehow disable his suit. I love them both though, but it would be fun to see them fight. Even better to see them team up across the DC / Marvel divide!
What is your favorite marketing technique? How do you get your book in front of people?
I love marketing and have come up with some hopefully creative ways of getting COMPLETE DARKNESS out there. I approached a small team of artists to read the book and create character art cards which are going to be given out at events including FrightFest London as well as from book and comic shops. Am working on an online pictorial cartoon series where characters from the book break the 4th wall and discuss the plot / bicker etc which hopefully will garner a different audience and might one day find itself into print along with the character art in a ‘limited deluxe special edition of the novel’.
What would you say is your biggest goal right now? It can be anything – shopping to world domination – and, what is stopping this goal?
Right now, I’m keen to get second novel into production – I love writing but don’t have nearly enough time to do it (balancing day job, family and a mild video game addiction) …
What would you say is your greatest skill? Even a simple trick or talent – what can you do so well you’re embarrassed because no one can even compete with you?
Is being cheeky a skill? I’m pretty good at just confronting or asking stuff others might not. For example I met my wife (of 25 years this year) because I fancied her friend Penny. When I found out both these incredible women were roommates I called up their house and asked Penny “would you and / or Gail like to go out with me tonight?” – there was some discussion at their end and Gail agreed – the rest is history!? So, it can pay off to be cheeky sometimes.
Do you have a favorite writer’s joke or meme that comes up or just sticks to the back of your head as you’re talking to other writers?
It should be a joke / meme but many authors are unfortunately very ‘up themselves’ – being a writer doesn’t make you better than anyone else.
Time is something we all want but when we have it, we use it the worst – if you had a magical ability to control time at your will: how would you manipulate time to your advantage?
I have a recurring day-dream where I can jump through time and revisit parts of my past life but with all the knowledge and skills I have now. Would do a lot different but some things exactly the same!
What are the 3 most beautiful things in the world to you?
My wife Gail when she looks into my eyes, that first bite into a gorgeously rare cooked steak and the Death Star attack run from Star Wars A New Hope (first film I saw in the cinema).
How do you think the world will be in 10 years?
I am not hopeful for the future of us as a species, we seem intent on destroying our world and we keep appointing leaders who don’t seem to want to help make a difference…
Any thoughts on burning bridges? What bridges are you happy you burned?
Everyone burns bridges at some point alas. I think we need to use the light from them to guide us forward. I recently got asked to leave a Church because I told the leadership I thought their new name was stupid… I’m not happy about that but equally I believe you shouldn’t not speak mind when you see people making bad choices.
What is something you want your readers to know about you?
I’m always happy to debate stuff – and learn from people who have different views to me. Doesn’t mean we’ll agree but at least we should know why we think differently!?
Who is your favorite author?
Iain Banks inspired, challenged and continually entertained me with both his sci-fi and dark dramatic fiction like no other. His book The Bridge came out when I was 15 and ignited my creative thinking in ways that no novel before had. The COMPLETE DARKNESS cover format is inspired by that first edition of his.
If you have pictures on your writing desk, who/what are they of?
I tend to write on my laptop in the lounge and we have a painting of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks reworked with the characters from Twin Peaks on our wall – I often find myself wondering about the conversations taking place in it when pausing for inspiration.
How do you come up with names for your characters?
Obviously I’ll deny this in court but I tend to just adapt the names of people I know. Writing in speculative or science fiction means you can go a bit wild with naming conventions e.g. my hero in COMPLETE DARKNESS has a subscript number as part of his name: Cleric20
What is your favorite quote?
‘You met me at a very strange time in my life’ (Fight Club)
Which is better: Coffee or energy drinks?
Coffee for me – I love a strong freshly brewed Italian coffee but do drink energy drinks on occasion, Mountain Dew is great for driving.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Watership Down – I’m a bit soft at heart and on family holidays my dad would read aloud a book… I remember getting choked up about *SPOILER* Hazel at the end when the spirit rabbit comes and visits…
What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
There seems to be a large number of people / companies offering to help publish author’s books for a quite hefty fee… I don’t think that’s how it should work…
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Probably the beer I bought my friend Rich when pitching COMPLETE DARKNESS to him J
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
I like the way that you build confidence and develop your style the more you write so I should really find a way to make more time to write and research. If I could exist financially without day job then even though I love doing comms I’d probably enjoy going full time as a writer.
Which writer’s work do you believe most resembles your work?
I’m not sure but Martin Stiff the author of The Absence who read COMPLETE DARKNESS said: “Like the unholy offspring of William Burroughs and Warren Ellis, Complete Darkness crackles with invention, energy and wit. From a primordial chaos Adcock has forged a unity between the holy trinity of science, religion and superhumans” so I guess those two legends of literature maybe (I’m too modest to liken myself to their iconic output though!)
As a personal reflection in reading his answers, I would have to say he and I agree on a lot. His favourite quote is probably at the top 10 with me. He is definitely a well put-together writer and I am grateful he was willing to take the time to interview with us!
Thank you Matt Adcock – and to all those who were moved by his interview – please check out more at: www.completedarknessnovel.com, www.facebook.com/completedarknessnovel/, www.twitter.com/CompleteDarkne2 , www.twitter.com/Cleric20
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