(Interviewer’s note: This should have been an in-person interview, but due to Covid travel restrictions, it took place over Zoom. Once again, I noticed a cat or two wandering around, and one tabby cat on the keyboard for Rupert’s work laptop).
I: So, Rupert, what have you been working on and what can we expect soon?
R: <sighs>. I wish I could tell you that a book is imminent, but alas, the Election and Brexit have diverted my attention.
I: Are you highly politically engaged?
R: Well, not in the sense of going out and knocking on doors or phone-banking. That is not one of my strengths. My lack of patience with people who are not showing signs of thinking makes me totally unsuited for retail politics. The best I can do is to give money and provide support on social media.
I: So have you been working on anything?
R: Oh yes. I am at the point where I am going to be able to finish Book 1 of Books of Loukas in short order, once I finally make the last character deep enough.
I: Deep?
R: I realized over a year ago that one of the supposed main characters had…missing depth. This became a vexed issue. I considered writing her out or downgrading her to peripheral but she is actually central to the story. There was not enough meat there, so to speak.
I: And have you fixed the issue?
R: Well, almost. I think I need some more bits and pieces, but I see that as not an issue. Then I have to get the opening right. I knew the opening was weak, because some people never got past it. That tells you a lot. So I need a powerful opening. I have the events there, but the descriptions are not compelling enough. Part of my list of 60 items.
I: That sounds like a lot of work.
R: Once i get motivated, and lose distractions, it will take 2 weeks, tops. Then I have to consider the next phase. Reviewers. I have learned tough lessons there but that will take care of itself.
I: Tough lessons?
R: Yes. I tried asking friends to review. That doesn’t work too well. One third of them cannot articulate feedback in a way that I can use it. One third never respond. One third provided useful feedback: they are the ones who write as part of their day job. One person refused to review the book because they didn’t want to upset me. Which is honest I guess.
Recently I asked authors, but that works badly, because most authors are too busy….wait for it…authoring. They have their own stuff to write. They don’t have the time or the inclination to review somebody else’s efforts.
So I am going to have to figure out how to get beta reviewers. I have not figure this out yet.
I: What about Belem?
R: Ah yes. Belem. <sighs>
I: Did you not tell him to get his act together a few months back?
R: Yes I did <pauses to remove cat from Zoom window>. He has lots of filthy ideas, but as yet his story Bad Girl Christmas 2 has not appeared. I fear it will be next Christmas now.
I: If you are politically engaged, have you thought about…
R: …writing about politics? Not as such. But I do have two non-fiction book projects, and those have been active as the election season has provided lots of source material. Another reason why the salacious stuff has taken a back seat.
I: So what is the plan for 2021 for Rupert Ramsgate?
R: I intend to finish Book 1 of Books of Loukas in Quarter 1 and publish it in Quarter 2. I still need a pro cover for the book series and a pro cover for Book 1, although I am still quite enamored of the working cover which features my lady friend.
Also, I will finish Book 2, since I need a follow-up if the masses approve.
I: And Belem?
R: I have no damned clue. I think he is still working on his filth novel series, but I have no idea when anything will appear. I had to have a long talk with him last week, because he came into my Twitter and annoyed somebody by being way too salacious. He mistook a person for another person, and the person he decided to dirty-talk was not amused. So my Twitter is dialing back on the naughty comments, and I told Belem he can take over that sort of thing.
I: Any last thoughts for the Christmas period?
R: Hmmm. Let’s see.
Just be yourself. As Oscar Wilde said, everybody else is already taken.
And Be Kind to as many people as you can. We live in a world with a deficit of kindness.