The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Piper

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To John Piper

Summary: Ani was impressed when she read John Piper's Hibernia Unanimis and she had quite a few questions to ask the author when he popped into Bookbag Towers.

Date: 6 July 2015

Interviewer: Ani Johnson

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Ani was impressed when she read John Piper's Hibernia Unanimis and she had quite a few questions to ask the author when he popped into Bookbag Towers.

• Bookbag: When you close your eyes and imagine your readers, what do you see?

John Piper: That is a very difficult question! I hope I see people who are looking to be entertained and a little challenged by what they read. I write for anyone who enjoys a good yarn and I sincerely hope I deliver. The whole point is to hold my audience and open their minds to things they may not have imagined themselves.

• BB: Hibernia Unanimis is an alternative history novel with some interesting extrapolations making it uncannily topical regarding the current European/Greek impasse. How long ago did you write it and how was the European backdrop (including a dictator-hungry Ireland) arrived at?

JP: The original concept came to me when I was about seventeen (a very long time ago!). I follow current affairs and I saw the Greek situation coming a while back. I have a number of contacts in Greece as well as other parts of the world, so I may have had the value of some ground level insight. Of course, I may yet be proved wrong! The dictator hungry Ireland was a concept of mine that pre-dated Gerry Adams coming to the fore in Irish politics.

• BB: Benedict is a wonderful baddie and a brilliantly ruthless dictator. How do you set about writing someone so dark and was there a person who inspired you?

JP: Yes, there is someone. I dare not name him as he would be very upset, but he was in my mind for every word I wrote about Benedict. For the record, I should state that I have no knowledge that he has any political ambitions, no mental health issues and is not a religious maniac. On the other hand, he uses any power he has to excess and it was that aspect of him that I wrote about. A dictator has to also be a megalomaniac.

• BB: Mental illness plays an important role in making Hibernia feasible. While you were researching it did you find anything that surprised or shocked you?

JP: Not really. Having grown up in Surrey, we had mental institutions all around in those days. We got to experience and to hear of all manner of mental conditions, so the research was more a case of confirming what I thought I already knew. Even so, I needed to do my research to ensure I got it right.

• BB: I won't spoil anything for those yet to read the novel but it's safe to say that Prince Charles and Camilla spend the story in a less than satisfactory state (from their viewpoints anyway). If they ever got hold of a copy and read it, what do you think their reactions would be?

JP: I think Camilla would be pleased with herself. Charles, probably less so. I hope they do read it because I think I dealt with them sympathetically, even if Charles was mostly unconscious in the story. I would like them to know that we all love them regardless.

• BB: Looking at your writing more generally, as a self-published author, what in the writing/publishing process did you find so useful that you'd recommend it to others?

JP: The instant nature of self publishing is its greatest strength. Had there been self publishing and word processing when I came up with the idea, Hibernia Unanimis would have been out years ago. Then again, it would most likely be very dated by now.

• BB: On the other hand, what in the writing/publishing process would you totally avoid now?

JP: Well, it may be a contradiction, but waiting too long to get started has been the greatest error to avoid. If the book is in you, get it out before it becomes diluted!

• BB: Your first two books (Claude's Journey and La Creme de la Crem) are very different from your latest novel. Why did you jump genre from erotica to thriller and are there more genres in you waiting their turn?

JP: Erm, I don't consider them to be erotica. Both are murder mysteries but set in sexually charged environments of one sort or another. I don't think I have dwelt upon the sexual nature of the books except where it is appropriate to the stories. La Creme de la Crem is set in an environment of corruption and where social deprivation is a recipe for crime and prostitution and hence, fertile ground for a serial killer. Claude is a shy weedy lad who is gang raped and then enslaved and forced to change gender. Some people may be turned on by that, but for me it would be my worst nightmare. Claude has to survive a professional killer attached to a people smuggling ring. Errors he makes early on mean he cannot go to the police. Either way, both are thrillers and serial killer murder mysteries. Sex exists in life and we are all the result of a night of passion. I don't advocate the sex in my books, but it exists and as such, should be written about honestly.

More genres? Yes, I hope so. I certainly have lots of ideas.

• BB: When you get time to relax with a book, which genre/genres and which author/authors do you enjoy?

JP: I love a bit of comedy, particularly if laced with some simple philosophy, but my favourite books are historical/psychological thrillers - particularly those by Robert Harris. On the other hand, Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome and Candide by Voltaire are real favourites that I have to reread every so often. Otherwise, favourite authors include Robert Rankin (The Brentford Trilogy) and anything by Iain Banks.

• BB: What's next for John Piper?

JP: I am at the early stages of planning and research for book number four. Another thriller, with a slightly scientific twist this time. It will be called The Secret Weapon and for once I have a heroine in mind. My daughter is an actress, so maybe she could star in a film version? One can but hope!

• BB: We're looking forward to the book and the film, John. Thanks for chatting to us.

You can read more about John Piper here.

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