Loraine Peck started her career as a portrait painter and magician’s assistant in Sydney. After being sawn in half one too many times, she switched to dealing blackjack on the Gold Coast. Bartending and slinging lobsters in the US led to a sales job in the movie industry, before she was propelled into a career in marketing in Australia, the Middle East, Asia and the US. Consumed by a desire to write crime thrillers, she decided to stop everything and do a writing course—to learn how to write the kind of book she loves to read.
The Second Son is her first novel and she is at work on the sequel. Today, Loraine Peck is on the blog to answer our Ten Terrifying Questions! Read on …
Loraine Peck (Photo by Davy Clare).
1. To begin with why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?
I was born in Grafton, raised by an artist and a pilot, and schooled in the Northern Beaches. Which means I skived off to the beach a lot and I’m a Blues supporter.
2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?
At twelve, I wanted to be a ballerina because I was lousy at sport, but I could dance. At eighteen, I was a magician’s assistant, able to levitate, be sawn in half and disappear, but I wanted to be a portrait painter. At thirty, I married for the first time. He was a career criminal trying to go straight and I was a sales manager in film distribution, wanting to be a writer.
3. What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you do not have now?
I believed I had plenty of time. I could travel, have numerous careers and children could come later. Much later. Turns out that wasn’t true. I also believed I’d only marry once. That didn’t work out either—but it was for the best!
4. What were three works of art – book or painting or piece of music, etc – you can now say, had a great effect on you and influenced your own development as a writer?
The Collector, the novel by John Fowles: as a teenager, this book seriously creeped my out and the imagery stayed with me. True Romance, the film directed by Quentin Tarantino: the fight scene between a very young Patricia Arquette and a morally conflicted John Gandolfini. Brutal and funny, and he underestimated her. It’s amazing what you can do with a corkscrew. The Dry, by Jane Harper: she mentioned the Curtis Brown Creative course in her acknowledgements, and it was a eureka moment. You mean I can learn how to write a book online?
5. Considering the innumerable artistic avenues open to you, why did you choose to write a novel?
Every vision board I ever created for myself (and there have been several) included the words ‘I will write a book.’ At the age of 54, I decided to learn how to write the kind of book I love to read. With the help of two amazing online courses and a few generous industry professionals, here I am: my first book, out in the wild.
6. Please tell us about your latest novel!
What if you were born into a crime family? Does a life of crime become your only choice? And why would a nice, middle-class Aussie girl marry a gangster? Johnny Novak has to step up when his elder brother is gunned down. His wife, Amy, will protect their son at any cost. Where does Johnny’s loyalty lie? As the violence escalates, will Amy stay? And what is the dark secret she carries?
The Second Son has been described by Anna Downes as a ‘modern-day Godfather’ and I’m just going to run with that because … who wouldn’t?
7. What do you hope people take away with them after reading your work?
Firstly, I hope readers find it entertaining. I wanted to write an action thriller and ended up with a mix of genres: action thriller, murder mystery and psychological thriller. I’m fascinated by people who change their destiny, for better or worse. I hope my readers are fascinated by the complex lives of my characters.
8. Who do you most admire in the realm of writing and why?
I read for entertainment and escape, so I admire writers who can suspend my disbelief. I like my murder and mayhem dished up with a side of humour. Think Candice Fox, Adrian McKinty, Louisa Luna and Harlan Coben. As a thriller reader, I love a twist, but I also love a straightforward read, like Lee Child’s Reacher series. Peter Temple wrote about Australians the way I see them, full-blooded and ironic; his dialogue has the ring of absolute truth. And I learned a lot about storytelling and down-and-dirty motivation from the masters of American noir: Raymond Chandler and James Cain.
9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?
Achieving a two-book publishing deal with Text was way beyond my expectations. I still can’t believe it’s happening. My current ambition is to ensure the sequel, which I’m writing right now, delivers as much punch as The Second Son.
10. What advice do you give aspiring writers?
If you want to write a novel and you’re not a professional writer, do a writing course or two. The First Draft Writing Course (online or in person) with The Writers Studio in Sydney is excellent. With that all-important first draft in hand, I followed up with the Six-Month Novel Writing Course with Curtis Brown Creative in London, which I also did online. It delivered a writing community, which I believe is another essential element for success.
Work really hard. Write every day, even if you’re just writing crap for half an hour. That way your subconscious stays involved and solves problems for you while you’re asleep. Then get great representation, in my case, Alice Lutyens and Pippa Masson from Curtis Brown, London and Sydney. If you’re lucky enough to have a choice of publishers, pick the one that fits you best. Work hard and try everything your editor suggests. Believe, and be true to the story you want to tell.
Thank you for playing!
—The Second Son by Loraine Peck (Text Publishing) is out now.
The Second Son
Duty always has a price.
When Ivan Novak is shot dead putting out his garbage bins in Sydney’s west, his family wants revenge, especially his father Milan, a notorious crime boss. It’s a job for the second son, Ivan’s younger brother Johnny. But Johnny loves his wife Amy and their son Sasha. And she’s about to deliver her ultimatum: either the three of them escape this wave of killing or she’ll leave, taking Sasha. Torn between loyalty to his family and love for his wife, Johnny plans the heist of a lifetime and takes a huge risk. Is he prepared to pay the price? And what choice will Amy make?...
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