SWZ: What makes a man in his mid-fifties take up a major writing project?
Mark Ellis: It had always been a childhood dream. I was always an avid reader, one of those kids who nearly bumps into lampposts because he has a book in his hand. Then my business success allowed me to “retire” early and so here I am now writing my third book … and they are not short ones!
I believe there are 7 books projected in total. Anything to do with keeping pace with Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling?
No, nothing of that sort. Not sure how many there will be as the third book is based around June 1941 so there is still a lot of war to go and then the peace process thereafter is worthy of attention too. Who knows how long Frank Merlin will go on?
Book 3 will shortly be published. Have you gained a following of readers?
I think I can answer that I definitely have. Amazing how people reading the second book in the series first then go out and buy the first book. And judging by the pre-sales for this third book the following is building up nicely to around 50,000 or more.
Which of your business skills have you brought to writing?
I would say logical thought and a touch of imagination. I wouldn’t go so far as to say being an entrepreneur and a writer require identical skill sets but there are some similarities if you dig deep enough.
Conversely, which skills have you had to acquire so as to become an accomplished writer?
I can answer that in one word – “patience”. Bags of patience!
And to finish this trio of questions let me ask what you hope to improve on and achieve in books still to come?
Where does one start!? The only true answer is in all aspects. I will give you three just as an idea – prose, characterisation, narrative flow. Think of a golf swing if you will – it is made up of many technical aspects and the end product has to look easy and effortless.
I guess this second career has given you different perspectives on life and business. Anything you would like to mention in particular which has seen you evolve as a person?
“Humility” is the word which comes to mind. Nothing comes from nothing and you have to apply yourself to the task in the most diligent and humble of manners if you wish to achieve anything.
Many businesspersons nowadays seem to be void of hobbies. What have your own loves and interests brought to your business career in the past?
Well, I love my sport, and the enthusiasm I have in competing rubbed off in my business career – you have to enjoy the challenge and commit to things.
Now to look at your books in a little more detail. To focus on crime in London during the war would at first sight seem to be of relatively little interest to today’s reader. Is that fair comment or not?
I disagree entirely. With the passing of time there are fewer and fewer persons who can provide direct accounts of how it was to live and cope in those times and it is as if there is a renewed fascination.
Your lead character is a detective called Frank Merlin. Why the name – anything to do with the magician?
Yes and no. I decided for reasons of plot and development to give the lead character Spanish origins and the name was Francisco Merino. His father decided to anglicise his name and Frank Merlin came to be. Perhaps it was also somewhat subconscious on my part because I am a proud Welshman and Merlin was also a wizard in Welsh legend. “Frank” of course also means honest and straight to the point so there you have a good combination of first and second names.
British writing and drama productions are full of tales of detectives and their sidekicks. Why this fascination?
You are thinking of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson and all those who followed in their footsteps. The essential element is that one is complementary to the other and the end product is both entertaining and gives great plot and sub-plot scope. It is just like two comedians working well together.
Is it fair to say that what one reads determines one’s character and outlook, and indeed what populations read as a class of people shapes their attitudes?
That is a philosophical one! Suffice it to say that books are a major part, if not the major part, of a nation’s culture and both shape and are shaped by the particular culture in equal measure. Think of your own country and reality and you will understand this.
Your books are growing in popularity in America. What do you put this down to?
I would say it is the World War 2 fascination aspect again, and add this to the fact that interest in detective fiction is growing fast in the USA and you have your answer.
Is your publisher looking to translate the series into any other languages or are the books too Anglo-centric to work in other languages?
Being Anglo-centric hasn‘t stopped Agatha Christie being translated into every language under the sun. Yes, I have had some discussions about the series being translated and I am optimistic that this will happen in the near future.
Is there any reason why the novels would appeal to readers in South Tyrol? You know that this region was much affected by the war and quiet a lot of intrigue remains.
Yes, I know about the region‘s history and what it was subjected to in the war. We are only up to mid 1941 in the books and believe it not I never know the plot for the next book until I start it, and this after intensive research on the period to be covered. Keep reading the series as it develops is all I can suggest!
Has your research for this project brought you to any conclusions about the web of destruction which was prevalent throughout. I mean what reflections on mankind have you?
The main one to be frank is that evil will always exist and need to be opposed and, when the time is right, confronted.
To be philosophical for a moment: These are tumultuous times we are living in. You are dealing with many World War 2 issues where precedent and approach may teach something to the leaders of today. Do you as a novelist feel a social responsibility to transmit messages to your readership? After all it has always been said that “the power of the pen is mightier than the sword”.
Sorry if I disappoint you but I have no great desire to preach in my books. They are intended to entertain. I do know however that some of my readers appreciate learning about the history of the period I deal with and then who knows what conclusions they come to when placing in a modern day context.
Do you have any other ideas for books?
Well obviously, my first commitment is to Frank Merlin but yes, I do have some other ideas, which I would like to follow through on at some point. One, which actually preceded Merlin, is a series set in the late nineteenth century and featuring a spy, pamphleteer and political intriguer called Thaddeus Nightingale. The character owes something to Daniel Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe, who was all of those things and more.
To finish on a lighter but still important note could I just ask you if one day you would like to see your books developed into film scripts and appear on screen?
I have had some approaches already, one from the BBC included, so let us hope that book 3 convinces “would-be” producers of the advantages of taking Frank Merlin to a wider audience.
Where should one look if wanting more information about Frank Merlin’s adventures?
Best reference point for books is my website www.markellisauthor.com
Thank you for your time.
It’s been my pleasure to chat with you.