Today I have Simon Crane,  debut author of The Secret Broker, joining me for a Q&A session as part of The Secret Broker blog tour – 

What was the inspiration behind The Secret Broker?
Various events and life experiences in markets and various crises. It’s a fun concept of a very serious subject which affects all our daily lives, witness the 2008/2009 financial banking crisis. It’s clear to me there could easily be an invisible hand controlling, manipulating, and smoothing markets at times of immense global turbulence. Let your own imagination run with that thought.
How did you create the main character?
I very much wanted to avoid a James Bond or American international spy type, so I ended up with a Swiss one who has the advantage of a fantastic education. His lineage gifted him with immense intelligence and a great capacity to learn. Maybe I have met someone in my life who I have moulded him on, given I have many Swiss friends. The raw characteristics of the Swiss national lends him to this type of role. Likewise JJ, his accomplice. If you have a Swiss friend you may instantly know what I mean.
How did you plan The Secret Broker? Did you have a plot outlined with a timeline or did you write and see where it took you?
I had a clear synopsis with a beginning, middle and end well thought through. The story fits inside potentially seven stories that are in my mind. In this first book I was careful not to let the synopsis write the book, but instead let my imagination run freely within a conceptual outline.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and if so how do you overcome it?
Basically no because I knew what was in my head and I came to the table with an idea of where I was going. But it’s a bit like speaking – if I am speaking to a large crowd and I imagine the person to whom my speech is aimed at being naked, it makes me laugh and relaxes my mind instantly. It’s a little bit like imagining boobs on a salmon – it’s such a silly preposterous thought, that it kick-starts my mind.
From first starting the novel, how long did it take you to write it?

I think the concept must have taken approximately the gestation period of an elephant. The actual creation of the story took 4 to 5 months with a few changes in direction.

What genres do you like to read?
Romance, action and thrillers. Generally I love pure escapism.
What authors and books have inspired you?
Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci code, JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Have you always wanted to write?
No, not at all. It isn’t something that is naturally obvious for me. The creative side has been immense fun, whilst I found the business side challenging as I’m used to getting my own way, but have found that difficult to achieve. Perhaps I am a bit of a control freak.
What was your journey to finding a publisher like and how long did it take?
Complicated…. It took about 9 months. As always with these sorts of things, it’s a matter of luck meeting the right person at the right time, in my opinion. Gosh I was jolly lucky to meet Naim of Quartet Books, who has become a good mentor and a wonderful friend to me.
Who has been your biggest support?
Unquestionably my daughter Chantal, however my wife, son and daughter have tirelessly all worn that mantle, without whose support, tolerance and enthusiasm this book would never have happened. 
What advice would you give to inspiring writers?
Perseverance always pays. You can almost certainly do this if you are tenacious. Accept the challenge and create the time, let your imagination go wild and deliver.

A huge thank you to Simon for answering my questions and providing an insight into the writing life of a debut author.

The Blurb

This captivating thriller set across Asia, North America, and Europe tells the story of Luca Voss’s fight against dark forces conspiring to start a nuclear war.  Far out to sea during a fierce storm a Japanese ship is commandeered by mercenaries who kill one of the crew and vanish; North Korea flexes its military muscles by firing a cruise missile into Japanese air space; an unidentified body is dumped on the border between Russia and China.  So begins The Secret Broker, the startling debut thriller by Simon Crane, which pitches the suave Swill orphan Luca Voss and his companion JJ against a cruel megalomaniac trying to manipulate the world’s super powers from behind closed doors.  From the astonishing opening when a mystery helicopter swoops in on a beleaguered boat to the chilling death of the German peace envoy Franz Wetzell and the secret history of the Seven Families, this gripping thriller takes the reader on an international journey of espionage and adventure, calling at Mexico, Myanmar, Switzerland, Japan, China, Italy and more.  As fast-paced as it is addictive, The Secret Broker introduces a vital new voice to the genre.

The Secret Broker was published 22 September 2016 by Quartet Books.