Revisiting Hampshire - the county of his birth - prolific thriller writer Robert Goddard entertained the Forest Arts audience with anecdotes about the writing process and advice for would-be novelists.
Inspired by the crisp structure of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, but horrified by the outrageous use of coincidence in EM Forster's work, Goddard suggested that the "novel" should be fresh and "new".
He emphasised the importance of careful research to aid authenticity and to avoid inconsistencies, which he abhorred.
In answer to some perceptive audience questions, Goddard revealed that writer's block could be cured by simply taking a walk, cemetery gravestone inscriptions could inspire characters' names and narratives, and to interest a publisher or agent, you needed to "get someone's attention".
Become notorious, he suggested, and you wouldn't even have to write the book - someone else would do it for you!
An insightful evening.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article