By A.J. Griffiths-Jones
As a full-time writer and the author of fourteen published books, I often find myself gathering material from some of the most unexpected places. Whether an idea comes together from a tragic accident, interaction between couples or humorous everyday situations, I’m quite often surprised at how quickly and colourfully my storylines develop.
It’s become a natural pastime to people watch, noting body language, accents and foibles, all essential for a wordsmith to hone their craft. Any purveyor of words will tell you that inspiration can come in the most unexpected form, whether it be landscapes, folklore or people themselves, but with such an idyllic backdrop here it’s almost as though time has stood still.
One of my most unexpected lightbulb moments occurred at the luggage carousel in Istanbul airport, my eyes resting on a Western gentleman in a smart pin-striped suit and a nearby devout Muslim woman, a stark contrast to one another, but each retrieving an identical suitcase from the revolving masses.
I wondered what the odds could have been, two very different individuals carrying distinctive cases that had no variance whatsoever. A further idea sprung to mind, what would the outcome be if they each collected the other’s luggage and failed to notice until they reached their respective hotels?
A vague storyline rattled around in my head for a few days before a concrete plot emerged, with espionage, forbidden love and secrecy at its core. Thus, my first psychological thriller was born.
Nowadays, I spend most of my days writing and researching in my study overlooking the beautiful panoramic bay of Akbuk, which should be a writer’s paradise, I’m frequently told by fellow authors.
However, my background and experience is in the creation of crime fiction and compilation of data relating to historical murder cases, a far cry from the quiet village life that now forms a part of everyday life.
Occasionally, when working on chapters containing gritty subject matter or particularly dark scenes, I find myself at the computer in the dead of night, a time when the surrounding streets are completely still, and the blackness of the sky matches the mood which I am seeking to capture.
It is often at these times that the words flow with ease and my characters come to life on the page. Naturally, with domestic life continuing around me, the practicalities of nocturnal penmanship are often flawed.
On occasion, I wonder whether to turn my thoughts to softer themes, perhaps trying to create romance in something akin to ‘Shirley Valentine’ but staying true to what I know is by far the more attractive option. Besides, where would one begin to find inspiration for such escapades in a small Turkish resort?
Well, I suppose there is the couple who have been married for thirty years and love each other unconditionally. One wonders what secrets are hidden in their past and if the path of adoration has always run smoothly.
Or the Turkish waiter, a strong and handsome man, earning the admiration of many a young female tourist but only having eyes for his childhood friend and confidante in a tryst of unrequited love.
Seek and you shall find, the old adage goes, but there’s also another English saying, ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’, meaning that if something is working well enough, there is no reason to change it. In principle this applies to most authors, unless you are J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter series, who has also successfully tackled the world of crime fiction under the pen name of Robert Galbraith.
So, will there be a Turkish-inspired romance coming from the tip of my quill anytime soon? Probably not, although with sweeping vistas and year-round sunshine all the ingredients are there, as it would be venturing into the unknown depths and I’m not quite ready to get my feet wet!