Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
My dad, Gerard Beirne, is a writer, so the idea of becoming a writer was something that was always just there. A very fond memory that I have is of me sitting downstairs in our basement and writing out a few sentences of a story and then my dad coming down to read through what I had written. I hold that close to my heart.
Have you ever traveled as research for your book?
My last book, Blacklion, was set in Ireland, where I was born. I moved to Canada at a very young age but visit Ireland regularly. I used many of my personal experiences there to influence aspects of this novel. My upcoming novel is set in the city that I live in now, Saint John, New Brunswick. In this book, the city is essentially a character itself.
How important was professional editing to your book’s development?
Professional editing is vital to a published novel. It cannot be overlooked. The editors not only focus on grammar and punctuation but also style and the way sentences are written. Novels are much more collaborative than many people suspect.
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
When writing a book, planning out the structure ahead of time can be very helpful. But, most importantly, just write, write, write.
What books have you read more than once in your life?
The Quiet American by Graham Greene is one that stands out vividly but I’ve read a lot of books many times.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I used to box. Now I like to run on trails in the woods beside the ocean, cook, read, watch TV shows or movies.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I used to write as a full-time job. Then, ghostwriting was my ‘job’ and my own novels were done on the side.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first novel at 23. It was based on the research I did for my Master’s degree, focusing on the ways that literary magazines were used for propaganda purposes during the Cold War.
Whom do you trust for objective and constructive criticism of your work?
My dad.
Links:
https://x.com/Luke_F_Beirne
https://www.lukefrancisbeirne.com
https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Luke-Francis-Beirne/author/B09V9GM1JP