Businessman and sportsman turns to crime!
Dai Henley
When did I start writing?
I started writing my autobiography at an adult day class in 2006. I learnt so much from an excellent tutor and he encouraged me to write crime novels. I still attend a weekly critique class where I can test my writing skills.
Have I always been a writer?
No. I spent most of my working life running my own prestige car dealerships. I was also a keen sportsman, which after family commitments left little time for reading or writing crime novels. Since I sold up and retired, writing contemporary crime novels about obsession, revenge and justice is now my passion.
How do I get my ideas?
Since I began writing crime novels, I’ve developed my antennae for picking up on conversations with other people about their life stories. It’s amazing what you can find out by just a little probing. I’ve also visited The Old Bailey around a 100 times. By thinking laterally, I try to develop plausible plots and characters.
What am I like?
I am very persistent. After spending time considering a course of action, I decide what to do and give it 100%. Nothing gets in my way. It’s a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I generally get things done once my mind is made up. A curse because I become obsessed with achieving a result. This has become one of the chief characteristics in my protagonists in the award-winning, Blazing Obsession and the recently published Reckless Obsession.
I also inherited sense of fair play from my father. He was the mildest mannered man you would ever meet until he discovered an injustice.
Where do I write?
Mostly in my study at home surrounded by files of indexed research documents. I love the research part of writing– learning new stuff keeps my brain active.
What represents a typical working day?
I try to spend at least four hours writing or researching. Some days, all I’ll do is to put a comma into the narrative then later take it out! Other days, I’d have effortlessly written 1500 words without thinking. I’ve tried to analyse why this happens but haven’t fathomed it out yet.
Do I know how my novels end before I start?
I produce a 5000 word outline which I try to stick to. It means I waste less time in editing.
What do my family think about me spending most of my spare time writing?
The kids have now left home so there’s just me and my lovely wife, Lorraine. She’s a fantastic support. Being married to an author can’t be a lot of fun. Some days I’m euphoric, other days I’m deep in thought, working out how to get my protagonist out of the hole I’ve put him in.
Who do I read?
Peter Robinson. Simon Kernick. Mark Billingham.
What’s next?
Just started the final book in the DCI Flood trilogy, All At Sea. Each can be read as a stand-alone but the reader’s satisfaction will be enhanced by reading the books in order.
If you’d like to read samples, get more information on Dai’s work please visit his website shown below.
