Roger Simpson: Halifax Resurrection +Interview

“I wish there was someone I could trust, someone who could tell me the truth, or in the absence of that, simply leave me alone.”

Interview with Roger Simpson

How would you characterize your writing style?

Because of my background in film and television, I still approach a story visually, imaging time and place and adopting a style that will suit, then try to dramatize what I imagine. In film and television though, I am writing for the director as they will ultimately dictate these things.

My task is to give them a persuasive argument to follow the script and to deviate at their peril. In film and tv we call that ‘director-proof’ writing. In prose, I have none of that anxiety and am writing directly for the reader. So I guess my writing style is that of the old tv writer freed at last from the shackles of the lumbering production process.

What is your favourite character to write?

The protagonist – which is a version of me – and the antagonist which is my attempt to create a character which is the protagonist’s equal for them to pit their wits against. As I always say to young writers, you have to love your antagonist as much as your hero – or it will be an unworthy contest. Flawed, yes, damaged – inevitably, but magnificent in their fallibility. Shakespeare figured that out a long time ago.

Which comes first for you, characters or the plot and why?

Two things come first for me: the reason you are writing the book or script in the first place – and the ending, the destination or resolution to which you want to take your audience. Plot and character must service these two principles – and I toy with many scenarios along the way until I arrive at the plot and characters which will serve these principles best.

Tell us about the process for this book, TV series to the page.

These three books are not tv adaptations but original stand-alone novels featuring my character from the tv series, forensic psychiatrist, Jane Halifax. The process is the same except in the book world, I am not limited by budget and I can get inside Jane’s head – something you can’t do in the tv world which calls that ‘exposition’ and it has been a totally liberating experience.

Picture the ideal reader for us.

People who like crime fiction with a plenty of everyday human dilemma and a big moral resolution.

Are you a fast reader?

No, quite the opposite. I read as if I am reading aloud, as if I am performing the book. My love of writing came from radio and theatre. I discovered books after that. But I still think good writing requires a certain music and metre. Although I envy those who can do it, speed-reading is a mystery to me: I prefer to hear the words in my head.

What are you reading now?

Thanks to a friend who is a voracious reader and lent me one of his favourite books, I am currently reading the early short story Western’s of Elmore Leonard which I didn’t even know existed. One each night before bed. Glorious in their simplicity – and including 3:10 to Yuma, which he wrote while working as a copy-writer in 1953.

Tell us one thing about yourself that most people don’t know.

I have a love of form and wanted to be an architect, but ended up studying law. At university I was heavily involved in student theatre and revue and was approached by a local tv station to write jokes for late-night tv. The industry in New Zealand was small back then so I moved to Australia where I ended up writing cop-shows. The rest is history.

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~ June Lorraine Roberts

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