Secrets behind novelist Clements’ success as he signs with new publisher
By RICHARD DISMORE
Novelist Rory Clements, who has just landed a six-figure deal with his new publisher Viking, yesterday gave the Daily Drone an exclusive insight into his craft and working methods.
Clements, 75, worked for the Daily Express, The Daily Mail, Today and the Sunday Mirror before his big breakthrough as a writer of historical fiction with his Elizabethan spy John Shakespeare.
He followed this series with one centred on Cambridge Professor Tom Wilde, a former spy who comes out of retirement to tackle Britain’s enemies in the Second World War and the years leading up to it.
He has written two books of a new series starring Detective Sebastian Wolff, who operates in a Germany that is being taken over by the Nazis.
Clements lives with his wife, the artist Naomi Clements-Wright, in Norfolk.
Q&A
Even as a young sub-editor, you yearned to be a novelist. When and how did the breakthrough come… and how did you feel?
I had written five books, none of which will ever see the light of day. But when I sent off Martyr in 2007 I just knew it was the one. Within a couple of weeks it was sold and it was like winning Wimbledon (though rather less well paid).
What is your daily writing routine? Do you work office hours; a five-day week?
I work every day of the year, mostly late at night, sometimes until 4am. Ideas usually come just as I’m about to go to sleep, which is really annoying because I have to wake up and write them down — otherwise they’d be gone by morning. The strange hours of Fleet Street were good training.
How did your recent switch of publishers come about? Were you seeking a change?
No, I wasn’t unhappy. But then my agent was approached and negotiations began. Very flattering to be wanted.
Both the John Shakespeare series and the Tom Wilde series must have required a great deal of research. Do you do this before you start writing or as you go along?
The John Shakespeare series took 15 years of research before I started writing. Tom Wilde took two years. Much of the research is beforehand, but then you just have to get going and start writing and keep researching along the way.
When you have an idea, does it sometimes spring from your research? And how long does it take before you are convinced it will expand to make a book?
The more I read the more the ideas come. I can see the potential strength of a story very quickly — all those days/nights I stood in for Les Diver as copytaster taught me how to spot a good tale.
Have you ever made a false start, conceded that the idea did not stand up?
Not recently. That said, I do have a file with quite a few half-formed ideas which may or may not bear fruit.
Do you write an outline first?
Yes. But it’s not set in stone. I liken the process to Sir Francis Drake setting sail across the Atlantic. He knows he’s going to start at Plymouth and he knows (hopes) he’ll end up in Virginia, but he’ll be beset by storms along the way.
How long does the novel take to write, once you know where it is going?
Six months, perhaps less. I haven’t missed a deadline yet (again, good newspaper discipline).
Is there a better job than writing?
If you mean writing books, then No. That said, I loved journalism — because journalists are such good company. We really got the best of it.
When do you take time off?
In the afternoon I like to play tennis ( 3 or 4 times a week). In the evening I love watching good TV (The White Lotus, for instance) and drinking red wine.
What do you like to read? Which are your favourite literary classics?
My favourite novels are Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies. Hilary Mantel’s command of English is unbeatable. I like to read modern thrillers but it’s tough for the newcomers to beat the old guys — Deighton, Forsyth, Le Carré, Chandler, Fleming, Buchan. They’re the gold standard we all aspire to.
Have you considered retirement?
What, and play even more tennis and drink even more wine?
Does your wife, the artist Naomi Clements-Wright, read your drafts and offer advice?
Always. She’s my first editor. Then it goes to my agent, then on to the publisher.
Are you hopeful that some of your work will be turned into a television series or a movie?
The John Shakespeare series was sold to a production company and a script was written — but then it entered what’s known as Development Hell from which almost nothing escapes (a bit like a black hole). I’d love my books to get on screen. I’d watch them.
The publishing world is changing. Women are dominating the best seller lists, often with tales of fantasy. How do you feel about that and will it last?
If people are reading, that’s wonderful. It always goes through phases though. A little while ago psychological thrillers were the big thing — apparently no one wants them now.
Are you concerned about the rise of Artificial Intelligence in the arts?
Yes. And I’m horrified by the thought that companies might be allowed to ignore copyright and scrape without paying. That’s theft.
QUICK QUIZ
Shakespeare or Dickens?
Shakespeare.
Cricket or tennis?
Tennis. In cricket, you can wait all day to bat and never hit a ball
London or Norfolk?
Norfolk. The pubs are better.
Brahms or Beatles?
Beatles by a long way
Revenger or Nucleus?
Never heard of either of them
Train or plane?
Train - especially Eurostar to Paris
6 March 2025
