Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Patrick Canning
Book Title: The Colonel and the Bee
Released: 06/01/18
Genre: Historical/Adventure Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “The Colonel and the Bee”?
Canning: At first I just had the idea of a group of characters traveling around in a fantastically large hot air balloon, getting into adventures and helping people out. Once I had the characters of Beatrix and the Colonel, they helped shape the actual story.
If "The Colonel and the Bee" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Canning: For Beatrix, I kept a still of Maisie Williams—from probably the first season of Game of Thrones—handy as a photo reference. For the Colonel, I used an image of a 19th century English gentleman (not sure of his exact identity). I'm never super up to date on current actors, but maybe a young Daniel Day Lewis/Gary Oldman/Kenneth Branagh?
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Canning: For me, it’s more about knowing good days and bad days will continue to repeat in unknown proportions, rather than a singular instance of writer’s block. I try to enjoy the days when things flow easily, and when they don’t, I try to do something productive (spell check, marketing, etc.) just to keep moving forward. No creative drought lasts forever.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Canning: Always try to learn from your mistakes and make smarter decisions, but be kind to yourself in the meantime. Writing is difficult.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Canning: I’ve been reading a lot of Thomas Pynchon recently. Sometimes I’m not sure exactly what’s happening, but the writing is so good that it doesn't always matter. Other than that, I recently finished The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, and The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin.
What are you working on next?
Canning: I have a sequel to my first book, Cryptofauna, coming out late summer/early fall. The story follows Jim—a janitor at an insane asylum/retirement home—after he’s recruited for a secret game of worldwide influence. It’s a very strange and fun world to write.
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