Lucky 13 Interview With Oliver Harris

1 – Can you start by telling us a little about your current book?

Next one out is Ascension (July 1st from Little, Brown), second in the espionage series featuring MI6 officer Elliot Kane. It sees him travel to the remotest outpost of British territory, Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. The island’s home to a lot of classified business – just try to find out what exactly the work there involves. I uncover the secrets of MI6, GCHQ and the new US Space Command. Well, maybe.

2 – Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I like knowing that the novel’s going to hold together structurally, with a satisfying ending, so I tend to plot. But it comes apart and needs reconstructing on a daily basis.

3 – Savoury or sweet?

Savoury. Always.

4 – Three books to a desert Island. Go!

I’d be tempted to stick with the Desert Island classics: complete Shakespeare and the Bible. I’d probably add the Harvill book of Twentieth Century poetry, which I’ve been working my way through over the past months.

5 – Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars – still use it for teaching story structure.

6 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Mind control would be the one that gives you real power. You could actually start fixing things at the root. The rest are just party tricks.

7 – Music or Silence when writing?

It depends on what exactly I’m doing. I’ve become a big fan of pumping out some dance music when I need to get words down – like a caffeine alternative. If I’m sorting out something tricky, or editing, then I need silence.

8 – If you could live anywhere in the world, and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose?

This is a difficult one. New York for the history, Seoul for my partner’s family, Essaouira for the surf.

9 - Your favourite karaoke song?

Snoop Dogg – Drop it like it’s hot.

10 – One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?

There’s nothing to aspire to beyond the writing itself. If you manage to sit down each day to put some words on paper that’s everything.

11 – You win £1 million, but you must give half to charity. Which charity do you chose, and what do you do with the rest of the money?

Right now, probably the Child Poverty Action Group. Got a feeling the rest would go pretty quickly. A car, a holiday. Always been curious to try a MacBook. Can’t believe how mundane this answer is.

12 – Horror films, yes or no? If so, any favourites?

Does The Wicker Man count? Haven’t watched any real horror for ages. I remember, as a twelve year old, working through all the old Friday 13th classics with a friend. I must have been braver then. And Blockbuster must have been turning a blind eye. I’d be curious to catch up with the genre – it sounds like there’s some good, inventive movies out there.

13 - What are you currently working on?

Just waiting to redraft the fourth Belsey novel. We last saw him trying to get to Mexico. This one starts with him arriving. It’s been a blast.