Let me tell you about Daniel Lewis-Dayle... We go back quite a way, all the way to when I was still repping in fact. Ahh, those were the days ;) So, my good friend Dan is a busy young chap – amongst sponsoring a film and starring in Panto’s, he has also recently written his third erotic novel of the Connor Candlish series. Not long ago I was in the UK for a 3 week holiday, and whilst there I managed to pin Dan down for a catch up, which is quite a hard task considering how he bounces around like tigger! Lets take a look see at just what Dan has been up to recently... Let’s catch up - tell me about book 3 and what’s new? 'Spurned Lovers' picks up immediately from the ending of The Black Orchid so we instantly find out who has been shot on board the USS Vivandier. The story then starts to take a turn back to the beginning where Connor and a friend from his old band opt to open a bar back in Marmaris, which of course holds some memories for our lothario. Cast your mind back to book one, where Shannon and Sian had an incident. There are a lot of new characters in this book. Although he is only mentioned in Book one: A Man Of Freedom, we finally get to meet the infamous Samuel Chetwynd (or Chet) as he is known. They are drawn back together by a chance meeting and Chet forgives Connor for walking out of their band all those years ago, and they decided to invest their money in a new venture. We also have the mysterious O'Neales (Mick and Angie) who sell them the bar but with a twist. One of them is linked to someone from Connor's past but how? Life and love will never be easy for Connor. He loses his lovers Chris and Anastasia in one way or another and the guy just doesn't know how to be alone. I developed one character who actually is not named for this reason. This is a Romanian Gypsy woman who warns him that if he continues to think with his organ there will be consequences to pay. Needless to say this woman crops up a number of times and results with one of his lovers walking away from their life. This is when Connor says "Enough, let's start afresh". Of course because of this, Connor has the chance to taste new forbidden fruit in the form of new relationships. Welcome Chet's wife Rayleigh, his sister Chloe, holiday rep Kelsey, and PR Consultant Gabe - all interested in Connor's appendage. We will also see Connor slip back into his rep role on a number of occasions. I think he misses his life. Remember the end to book one? We are now working up to the revelation which is to be revealed in the final book of the series. I like to leave lots of clues and twists and turns as to who is responsible. A lot of readers message me with comments like "I did not see that coming" and "You should write for Hollyoaks" But I think my favourite accolade at the moment is "This really puts 50 Shades into the Disney Category". I like that. As you should Dan, that's quite the compliment. Are there any original characters returning? Chris, Anastasia, Lana (whether short term, long term, dead or alive - I will not reveal) all return, as does Lei Lawson, your very own lead character from The Marmaris Diaries. 'Spurned Lovers' also has a hint of book one with lots of references to Connor's past as a holiday rep, including returns from Sandra and even the recruitment officer for Fantastical Holidays, Jayne. Once more Connor cannot stop himself getting involved in the rep lifestyle. We also have the stories end for one or more particularly nasty characters which of course eliminates them from the ultimate conclusion. I was happy to read Lei had returned, after all, bar the main character, she is obviously my personal favourite in your books ;) What about Ophelia? People don't like what Connor does to Ophelia and he starts to realise that he is responsible for her mental health. Connor himself goes on a mission to help her, but there is an ulterior motive. Needless to say, she will be angry with him and with good reason. Who do you like to write about in your books? It has to be Ophelia. I think she is the glue that makes Connor slip between sane and insane. He even admits on more than one occasion he still would! Dirty boy. What inspired you to write the Connor Candlish series? As an actor, I am very open minded and I needed to write in my spare time. Connor Candlish initially started out as memoirs from my days of repping, then I ended up putting sex in the story, and gradually Connor was born. The series will culminate in a murder of the hero and each story will develop characters and reasons why someone may want him dead. Lovers can become enemies and enemies may become lovers. Remember this is Connor so he cannot really keep it in his pants long so he is bound to get into trouble in this ongoing series. OMG, so we already know that Connor is going to die at the end?? Bad times. Ongoing series? Tell us more.... I have 5 books in mind for Connor. Book One: A Man Of Freedom, Book Two: The Black Orchid and Book Three: Spurned Lovers are already out. I am currently working on closing Book Four which will be entitled ‘Journal Of An Unloved Woman’, and then tie everything up in a gripping finale which will finally reveal the killer. What makes Connor tick? Sex. He loves it and cannot get enough of it. This book will see Connor begin to realise that sex can be used as a weapon both for and against him. I think people will be surprised with his choices. People who have read it have said they love how they change their opinion on Connor. Connor is initially unlikable as I wanted to make him a real person with flaws and someone who has a past. Eventually time and incidents move him forward into the protagonist and the reader will see him change and develop to cope with whatever he faces. I must admit, I didn't like Connor to begin with, I thought he was arrogant and unlikable, then all of a sudden he just grew on me! How do you bring the characters to life? The characters are pretty much all based on people I know or have known. Because they are real people, I was able to write them and their personalities to fit. Names were chosen because of the story, or if they sounded right for the part. Ophelia is actually a real person but she is not as crazy as her character in the book. I would also like to point out that although ‘A Man Of Freedom’ was majority fact based with a few twists, no one actually died. This came with the ongoing development of the story. Can you describe your writing style? My style is all about short snappy sentences and phrases. I like to be straight to the point. I choose this as it helps to keep the pace, reader involvement and the movement of the story. I do not like reams and reams of prose, where the author takes a long time to get to the point. As a reader, I like to work with my imagination, so as an author I want the reader to experience a fast read. How long have you been writing? I have written stories for years. My first short story was one called ‘Malin’ and it was about a girl who was being bullied at school and she fakes her own death. Years later, she returns to the four bullies and psychologically drives them to a similar fate. I did not publish this, so I may return to this at some point. Another story I wrote was about a young boy who was being sexually abused by his own father and he blames himself for the abuse until he has his own children. Then of course there was ‘Auriala’. This has currently been taken off sale by myself so I can re-launch the series when the time is right. I wasn't happy with them, and if I am not happy then maybe my audience wouldn't be. So I want to revisit them now that my writing has developed. Your other stories sound interesting, especially 'Malin'. Im looking forward to seeing what becomes of them. Who is your favourite author? Now imagine if he/she was writing a new novel and incorporated Connor Candlish into their work. How would the story go? I have such an eclectic taste of literature but I have to say I love Anne Rice who whilst famous for her Vampire Series, also wrote erotica called ‘Beauty’, which is based upon Sleeping Beauty, and let's put it this way - the prince doesn't wake her up with a kiss. So there are two scenarios here. First Anne Rice, Vampire writer. In this case because Connor likes men and women, I think he would be bitten by Lestat and they fall in love. Perhaps Lestat would just end up killing Connor in the end. Secondly there is the erotic series. In this case I would say Connor would be best suited as one of Beauty's suitors. They enjoy a romantic time before Ophelia pops along and goes a little bit mad with him. Hollywood is calling, you are on the casting call. Who are your stars? Connor is sexy, and needs a sexy cast. Connor needs to be played by a stud so that people want to make love to him. So it has to be someone like Chris Hemsworth. I would like someone like Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver) as Chris, and perhaps Gareth David-Lloyd (Torchwood) as Greg. I would also love Chris Pratt to have a cameo in it somewhere... Perhaps he could play Chet? I think the real Chet would actually love that idea. Then there are the women, and Hollywood has a lot of sexy ladies. Maybe Jennifer Lawrence for Ophelia or Anastasia? Both beautiful blondes who get to sleep with Thor. I am sure Hollywood would have a massive audition front, however I would not mind the raw talent of the unknown. I have a friend called Siobhan who would be ideal as Angie O'Neale from book 3. Working in theatre and indie films it is really important that an unknown gets the chance to shine, because that is how I gained my opportunities. Connor Candlish is an official sponsor of the movie ‘Crispy's Curse’ which is about a killer clown which I also starred in. Well done on the film, that's really cool news. So, you consider Connor Thor like...? Who would you have to endorse your novel? I am lucky enough to already have a few. A model called ‘Dark Raven’ is the cover model for 'Spurned Lovers', and she is all about what this book series is - sex appeal. As mentioned above, I have also sponsored a local movie called 'Crispy's Curse', in which John Williams advertises my work for me in this film. I have to admit I was over excited when I first saw my book on screen. Quite right too Dan! Which book has made you cry? The Chronicles Of Narnia. Well really it was the last book ‘The Last Battle’ which made me cry when the secret was revealed.... It would be nice if Connor can do this to his fans. Who is your favourite underappreciated Author? This question is similar to my opinion on acting, and I would like to support an indie writer so to speak, so people like yourself Louise. I would support any new writer with a critique I hope they would accept. Ahh thats ace! You have always been great with reading over my books and giving me your honest opinion before going to print. Do you believe in writers block? Basically I have a similar philosophy to my good friend John Evans, author of ‘The Unwilling Recruit’ which is "if you have an idea, write it down, if you don't then don't". I personally have periods of time where I simply do not put pen to paper, and there are other times where the total juxtapose hits me and I write, write and write. So my work ethos is to multiply by factors of two or three so I can keep on top of my projects no matter what happens. And readers block? Yes. Philip K Dick novel ‘Valis’ actually scared me. I tried and failed to read it countless times because it is written in so much depth. I completed it in stages. This is why I prefer snappy sentences but this book made me think. What is your advice to anyone who wants to write? Don't let anyone tell you differently, you do what you want. Second, write for yourself, and not for the audience. You must enjoy writing. Finally, write what you know. I am happy to help anyone who asks. And finally, in 5 words or less, can you describe your newest novel? Erotic, Suspense, Series, Summer, Fun. Thank you Dan, as always you have been great to interview. Now where's my whisky? You can also read the interview that Dan had with me when 'Once Upon a Whisky was released right HERE
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