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Surfing, and associated watersports (note: Greg
features SUP in his second book The Desert Run) are
perceived to be ‘sunny’ pastimes. What’s the recipe for
melding noir and something more about sand, sea and
tropical backdrops?
I think that idea of these sports being sunny is part of the
mainstream media’s overly narrow way of portraying any
sport that isn’t mainstream. Surfers are represented as kinda
stupid (the blond, dumb stereotype), or adrenalin junky big
wave dudes, or pseudo-spiritual. They’re almost never shown
as normal people. But the reality of these sports is quite
different, as we all know from doing them. You get a much
wider range of characters and personalities taking part. So I
just try to reflect that. In a way I have ordinary people, some
of whom happen to be surfers, and some of whom happen
to be killers, in the way that some people in mystery/
suspense books are. It was never a particularly deliberate
move either. Because I’ve done these sports my whole life
when I sit down to write, that’s what comes out…
An accomplished windsurfer in your own right are we
likely to see sail powered craft crop up in any of
your works?
I’d like to try it one day. But I do think windsurfing is a
hard subject to write a mainstream novel about for the
reasons above. The public perception of our sport is
even more removed from the reality than with surfing.
It gives you a real problem. If you write it to fit the
media image, it would feel completely wrong to
windsurfers, if you wrote to fit the reality, it’s
going to seem odd to non-windsurfing readers
(and they’re by far the majority!). But if the
right idea comes along I’d definitely like to
give it a go. I think the best novels are
where you feel you’re learning
something, or getting a window into a
new world as you read, and a window
into windsurfing could be really
interesting. It’s just hard to do well.
Describing surfing,
windsurfing and SUP in a
non-cheesy way is hard
indeed – especially when
aiming your writing at non-
water going types, yet you
seemed to have nailed it.
Any secrets to this success?
Thank you! Like I said my first
attempt at a novel was mostly
surf scenes, so I guess I had
a bit of practice there! I think
what I learnt was it’s
important in any ‘action’
scene to have some element
of the story playing out, alongside
the literal description of whatever is
going on. So for example, in the main surf
scene in ‘The Wave’, the protagonist goes into
the water at this new, secret break he and his
friends have discovered, and he’s scared because they’re the
biggest waves he’s ever faced. But he’s also distracted
because he’s full of hatred for his best friend, who has been
sleeping with the girl he liked. This distraction nearly gets him
drowned, but he overcomes that, and starts catching the
best waves he’s ever ridden – and his friend does too – and
they both realise that their friendship is more important than
any girl. Actually that does sound pretty cheesy the way I’ve
just put it, but hopefully it shows how the surf scene isn’t just
there for filling – it’s part of the story, it moves things along.
By your own admission it took a while to knock your
first book out yet you seem to be storming ahead now.
How hard is to keep coming up with something fresh?
Ever struggle for inspiration?
I’ve wanted to write books for as long as I can remember, so
I guess that first one took 42 years! But yes, once the first is
out of the way it definitely gets easier. You learn the tricks to
speed things up.
There’s no struggle for inspiration as yet, but I do have to
choose the ideas carefully. It takes me at least six months to
write a book, so I need an idea that’s going to sustain my
interest for that time, and get me through the inevitable and
painful rewriting stage.
Do you have plans for further novels already in the bag?
If so, how many plot lines do you have firmed up?
Well I have a new one coming out this summer called ‘The
Girl on the Burning Boat’. I don’t have a plan yet for what to
write after that. I prefer to focus on the current project until
it’s finished. If I allow myself to think too much about what’s
next, there’s a danger of that taking over and the current
work never gets finished! It’ll definitely have many of the
same themes though – the coast or the oceans, adventure.
That’s what I like to read, and therefore what I like to write.
Think you can become the next Kem Nunn (note: Kem
Nunn is a Californian author of dark surf fiction as well
as countless TV/movie screenplays including Miami Vice
and Kathryn Bigelow’s original Point Break)?
Don’t tell anyone, but that’s the dream!
Any plans to get your stories visualised and turned into
motion pictures?
That would be awesome too. Do you get many Hollywood
producers reading this? If so my email is
[email protected]. I’m open to pretty much any offer
except Harvey Weinstein.
For many years you worked as staff writer for Boards
Magazine. Ever miss those days of test trips and
creating entertaining articles with your own unique twist?
When I worked for Boards I spent two to three months
abroad every year on the test trips, and outside of that I
could sail whenever it was windy because it was work. Now
I’m older with a young family, it’s hard to put in words just
how much I miss that! I guess you just have to try to enjoy
each stage of your life as you live it. Or try to.
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