Tell us about your latest book, who is the main character(s) and what
can we expect when we pick it up?
The Path of Chaos is set in the year 2030 and the Roman Empire still
rules half the world. The action takes place in Southwark, London, where
crucifixions are live streamed from London Bridge and chariots are no longer
pulled by horses by powered by hydrogen engines.
Boatman King is a rebel leader hoping to drive the Romans out of London
and stop Emperor Nero II from occupying Britannia any longer.
When you pick it up, expect a whirlwind of a read. It’s a very visual
book, aiming to keep the reader turning the page and it’s breathless in its
action.
Give us an out of context quote from your book to warm our hearts:
For Tobias, it meant he was able to muse on how fate had brought him and
Maverick together. Instead of clashing swords in an arena Tobias was able to
share a bed with a man who he loved with a fiery passion. He stared at his
lover and loved every part of the man.
Who are some authors that you look for inspiration? John Connolly, writer of the Charlie Parker series is a huge
inspiration. He writes prose which are so poetic. Maverick and Tobias are a
homage to Louis and Angel from his books.
Thomas Harris created one of the most iconic characters of all time and
I look to him in regards to how to write a stand out character who is
remembered for a long time after the reader puts the book down.
Fire down below! What’s the first
object you save? I’m an oyster farmer so I have a knife that clips on
to my belt, which is used for everything, from cutting things, to being a
screwdriver. It was also bought for me a present from my little family, and
engraved, so I would be going for that.
Advice for newly sparking writers in three sentences or less: You’re good enough. Go to workshops with other writers and open yourself
to the brutal honesty of sharing your work.
Which of your characters would you want to share a campfire with, and
why? Maverick. He’s been a superstar gladiator, famous
around the world, but also been through hell in training camps. He’s a
seasoned, interesting man that I would love to learn from and share laughter
with over a beer and making fire.
Tell us about what you are reading at the moment or anticipate reading
in the future? Any new books you are looking forward to? I’m reading Lee Child’s No Plan B, which helps me understand good action
writing and I’m also reading Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns as graphic
novels help me write prose in a very visual way.
Can you briefly describe your writing process for us? I tend to go to bed and spend an hour formulating sequences in my head
and then the next day I write those sequences. I also will formulate a lot of
dialogue whilst in the shower. My process is a lot of writing the book in my
mind and then letting it flow on to paper afterwards, once I have run through
dialogue and sequences a few times in my mind.
What is next on your writerly horizon? I’m writing the sequel to The Path of Chaos, which I’m really excited
about, as it expands a world I’m proud to have created. I’m also working on
pitches to Hollywood for The Path of Chaos, which have garnered interest, so
hopefully that will turn into something special.
THE PATH OF CHAOS
BLURB:
It
is the year 2030, and the Roman Empire never fell. Emperor Nero II rules half
the world, but half the world is not enough for the unpredictable Emperor.
Britannia
is a Roman outpost. London Bridge is lined with crucified bodies. The streets
are patrolled by soldiers in high-speed, horseless chariots. Nero views
Britannia as a vital but fractious asset for his planned invasion of the
Republic of Indigenous America.
Boatman
King was born out of rage. A rage that propels him to try and destroy the
Empire. He’s not alone: he leads clandestine rebels fighting to drive the
Empire from Britannia. These rebels are his weapon, which he hopes will obliterate
Nero and the entire Empire.
Rebellion,
though, comes at a steep price. Olivia, Boatman’s wife, is caught and crucified
on London Bridge by Nero’s son, Maximus, who is intent on flushing Boatman from
hiding.
Instead,
Maximus draws Maverick ‘The Beast’ Kirabo, Boatman’s fearsome
second-in-command, a champion gladiator who now fights for Rome’s dismay, not
their entertainment.
Excerpt One:
“Soldier Gallus
and Soldier Marius, I need you to accompany me to my home.” Both soldiers
saluted and followed Faust to his chariot. Faust climbed on and sat down at the
rear. Gallus remained standing whilst Marius fired the engine. The bulletproof
glass roof closed over the soldiers’ heads and sealed the chariot. They sped
off away from London Bridge going south to Augustus Park where Faust’s house
was situated.
Within fifteen
minutes Faust was striding through his front door, gun drawn and Gallus and
Marius flanking. The town house had three floors, six bedrooms in total and an
airy, open-plan ground floor. Each soldier took a floor and searched. They
quickly cleared the rooms, finding no-one present and nothing out of the
ordinary to report.
They convened
in the kitchen, and Faust holstered his gun.
“Maybe we beat
them to it?” said Marius.
Faust grunted
and didn’t bother to respond. He knew something wasn’t right in the house but
could quite place it. He needed to walk through and check it off. He’d only
searched the ground floor but something didn’t make sense.
“I need you
both to stand guard outside. Anyone so much as approaches the house
suspiciously I want you to shoot them. If anyone is allowed access to the house
without my permission, I will crucify you both upside down. Understand?”
Both men nodded
and saluted and left the house to take sentry out the front.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Tom was born in Essex and at 4 months old he and his identical
twin were adopted into an oyster farming family. Tom now runs the business as
generation eight of Haward oyster farmers.
He has a fiancée, baby daughter and a cockapoo.
Tom has an MA in Creative Writing and has loved telling stories
since he was a child, whether verbally or through prose.
The Path of Chaos is his debut novel. He is also working on a six
episode comedy screenplay and tweets passionately about his family’s industry
and the challenges it faces.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5350971.Tom_Haward
https://m.facebook.com/tomhawardauthor/
https://cinnabarmothliterarycollections.com/contributing_authors/tom-haward/
https://tomhaward.co.uk/
https://twitter.com/HawardTom
https://www.instagram.com/hawardtom/
4 comments:
I enjoyed this first excerpt, thanks for sharing
Thank you for hosting today.
I look forward to reading this.
Thanks for sharing. This sounds like a good book.
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