Q&A: Welcome to the lovely Tara Lyons whose book Deadly Friendship has been recently released.

So here we are on the last day of Harrogate Crime Writer's festival and I'm so chuffed to be spending time with Tara Lyons on this glorious day! A bit too early for Prosecco but we can have coffee instead!

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Liz:Where did the inspiration for Deadly Friendship come from

Tara: Deadly Friendship opens with DI Hamilton enjoying a weekend away in Ambleside. I visited last year with friends and we took a boat tour of Lake Windermere, and the views were so impressive and beautiful, until I saw a low hanging tree and an old boat house. Despite its beauty – and this could be because of where my mind usually goes – I could also see

something haunting about it. That image, and being away with my friends, sparked the initial inspiration for the book.

Liz: i love it when that happens. If Deadly Friendship was ever to be televised or made into a film who would you like to play your main character and why?

Tara: It’s funny because DI Hamilton has been pulled up as being a bit stiff and stuck in the dark ages by readers. And, although he’s only in his late-thirties, I can see why that might be how they perceive him. I have a folder of images on my computer for all my characters and DI Hamilton’s is that of Ricky Whittle (British actor of Hollyoaks, The 100, competed

in Strictly Come Dancing). He’s exactly how I envision DI Hamilton looking… but, there’s something different about Denis, and I think that comes from my love of the TV programme, A Touch of Frost. I think my lead character has a touch of DI Frost, played by David Jason, in his character.

Liz: Hmm, Know which one of the two I'd prefer!!!! Is there a subsidiary character you have created and are particularly fond of and why?

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Tara: When I began writing In The Shadows, I was unsure if it would continue as a series. I’m pleased it has, but it meant when I began writing book two some of the characters didn’t feel like they belonged anymore. I introduced PC Robbie “Rocky” O’Connor in No Safe Home and loved his very chilled approach to life. It was pleasing to see his name mentioned

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quite a few times in Amazon reviews, so I knew he’d found a place in the reader’s hearts too. I loved writing his scenes in Deadly Friendship because I had the chance to explore more of his caring and hard-working nature.

Liz: Where is your favourite place to write and why?

Tara: I’m a creature of habit and find I can only write at my desk – the office side of my bedroom. When I started writing In The Shadows I didn’t have an office desk and chair and would type on my lap in the living room. Now I’ve made the space for myself, I have my laptop and books and stationery altogether, I love my writing space and have to be here to let the story flow.

Liz: Any tips for would-be writers seeking publication?

Tara: Don’t be scared to go indie! Be that self-publishing or indie publishing, it’s an amazing experience. I’ve spoken to people who have had so many knock backs from traditional publishers and agents. Or those who have agents, but publishers aren’t willing to take the chance on their work; it’s heart breaking, soul destroying and leads to a lot of doubt. But, with a great editor and cover designer, indies are doing it for themselves. I self-published my first book, In The Shadows and the following two in the series have been published by Bloodhound Books, an independent crime fiction publishing company, and I love the one-to-one support they give their authors.

Liz: What is it about Crime fiction as a genre that turns you on?

Tara: I was involved in a conversation about this subject recently, after someone posed the question, with all the evil and awful events happening in real life, why do people turn to crime to read for pleasure? For me, both writing and reading the genre, is because I love the puzzle aspect of crime – can I guess whodunit? What makes these people commit those crimes? What motivates those to seek justice on a daily basis? But also, I enjoy exploring the human element of people’s lives and why they might turn to crime, and also how people cope in society after they’ve been affected by crime.

Liz:If you were to play Snog Marry Avoid using crime writers

and characters from crime fiction who would you A) Snog B) Marry and C) Avoid… and why?

Snog: Ben from The Boy Inside (Ross Greenwood). Reading about a character go from boy to man, and understand why he made the decisions he did, or

see the chances he missed, can be endearing. There was something about Ben that I just wanted to reach out and help him. So, he’d get a snog and some stern advice from me.

Marry: Tony Lorne from the Justice series (M.A. Comley). I’ve never known a man to be so supportive, helpful and kind – and an ex-MI6 agent! I might have a small crush, and he’s definitely someone I’d want in mu corner… and my kitchen to have dinner ready when I came home.

Avoid: Adam from Flowers for the Dead (Barbara

Copperthwaite). While I think this was the first book to ever make me feel empathy for a serial killer, I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be on his radar. No flowers for me this year, please.

Liz:Who or what inspires you to keep writing?

Tara: My son. He’s four and for about a year now has asked me if we can add a dog to our little family. We live in a flat, so it’s obviously not possible, but I’ve told him one day I’ll be able to afford a house with a garden and he can then have his dog, who could already be called Simba, Lucky or Buster. I’d love for my writing to be able to fulfil that dream for both of us.

Liz: Aw I hope he gets his dog soon. I'm sure he will. Do you have competing ideas for future projects and have you ever worked on more than one at the same time?

Tara: I actually have competing ideas at the moment! There’s a character screaming at me about book four in the DI Hamilton series, as well as a strong but subtle character for a standalone novel, who keeps popping up when I least expect it. I could never write two books at the same time, but I am taking notes for both of these ideas. It’s important for me to see Deadly Friendship is released successfully and has my attention, and then I might have a small break (as it’s the summer holidays now and I have my little munchkin with me all day, every day). After that, I’ll see who shouted the loudest: the series, or the standalone…

Liz: Do you linger in your research period or do you rush your research to get stuck into the writing?

Tara: I love the research side of writing because uncovering new nuggets of information excites me. For Deadly Friendship, I began researching poisonous plants and found out something new that I didn’t know and that became the new focus for the book (you’ll have to read the book to find out what I mean). I also hate rushing research because, if I don’t understand/know anything, I want to ensure I’ve got all the facts so I don’t make my characters look foolish when they say the wrong thing.

Author bio:

Tara is a crime/psychological thriller author from London, UK. Turning 30 in 2015 propelled her to fulfil her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. In the Shadows is Tara's debut solo novel published in March 2016. She co-wrote The Caller and Web of Deceit: A DI Sally Parker novella with New York Times bestselling author, M.A Comley.

In August 2016 Tara signed a two-book contract with Bloodhound Books. The second book in the DI Hamilton series, No Safe Home, was published in January 2017.

When she's not writing, Tara can be found at a local Wacky Warehouse stuck in the ball-pit with her young, energetic son.