Darius Hinks

The Court of King Arthur

darius — Sun, 06 May 2012 13:31:00 +0000

Blimey. A miniature Hinks has arrived. My world suddenly revolves around a tiny, fractious, humanoid shrimp. Any thoughts of writing have gone out of the window as I spend my (completely nocturnal) existence fawning over his pouting little face and dodging his bodily fluids. We’ve named him Arthur and he’s taken on the mantle of kingship quite happily – issuing royal decrees with a haughty expression and a tiny clenched fist. A friend of mine said parenthood felt like being taken apart, atom by atom, then reassembled as something completely new. I’m only a week in, but I can already see what he means. I feel a bit like Darius v.2.

I’ve haggled with my editor, the infamous Nick Kyme, for a writing break while I focus on cooing, but in a few weeks, Arthur-willing, I’ll crack on with the second Orion novel, The Tears of Isha. The first part of the trilogy is only just going to print and won’t hit the shops for a few months yet, so I’m starting book two without any idea what people thought of the first one. That feels a bit odd but it’s probably for the best as reviews – good or bad - tend to throw me right off track. I’ve dedicated The Vaults of Winter to the boy Hinks, so it should be guaranteed at least one good review – even if it is in 15 years’ time.

Brains and worms

darius — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 09:23:44 +0000

My shortest (and most disgusting) story, Cankerworm, has just gone on sale as part of Black Library’s 15th birthday celebrations. Meanwhile, over on the Founding Fields site, Sanctus is getting a bit of love in their Architect of Fate review. Orion is stuck in an anxious, leafy limbo, as I wait for my editor to read the first draft. I’ve leant him my antlers to help him get the right vibe, but he seemed reluctant to wear the green tights. Not sure why. The really big news, though, is that the new Lower Dens album will soon be out. I’ve watched this video for Brains so many times I can still hear it ticking when I try and sleep. This has to be the grumpiest singer in pop, but what a beautiful sound.

Coke Weed

darius — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:56:42 +0000

I know, I know… I really should have outgrown this kind of thing by now, but I think I will always be a sucker for out of tune, Velvets-inspired indie guitar. I really hope this band make it over to Nottingham at some point. I want to drink lots of cider, wear a stripey t-shirt and pretend I’m 18 again.

Atahualpa

darius — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:17:15 +0000

Call off the search. I’ve found the perfect music to listen to when writing fantasy novels: Argentinean communist folk guitar. Atahualpa Yupanqui’s album, Soy Libre, is ideal. I was struggling to find the right way to describe a demon-possessed jackdaw (we’ve all been there) and Atahualpa’s haunting melodies set me right back on track. Witness the power of folk! The Vaults of Winter has just crossed the 80K mark. It’s also become a tale of smoke-filled music halls, broken hearts and South American revolution, but I’m sure the editors won’t mind. Now, where did I leave that capo?

The Vaults of Winter

darius — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:43:57 +0000

Quick update! The Vaults of Winter has some cover art, courtesy of the talented Slawomir Maniak and I’ve just crossed the halfway mark. I’m 50,000 words in and finding that wearing antlers is a great way to stay focused. The cats aren’t too impressed though.

Sanctus

darius — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:58:09 +0000

For the last couple of months I’ve been working on a novella called Sanctus and for the whole time I’ve had the music from If… trapped in my head. It’s been sending me a bit whappy to be honest, but I finished the story today and I hoped that would be end of it. Then, just as I thought it was safe to go back in the water, some bugger decided to play it on the radio this morning. On the very day I finished the novella! Tell me that’s not just a bit weird…

Maybe the only way I can be rid of the tune is to inflict it on someone else, so please, if you have a heart, listen to this:

In other news, finishing Sanctus means I can start planning my next project which is a whole trilogy of novels about a large, green, horned gentleman by the name of Orion. I think the best way to come up with a suitable plot is to don green tights and hide in a hedge for a week or two (no change there then, says Kathryn).

The Hinks Breed

darius — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 20:54:53 +0000

Want to know what links me, Bruce Dickinson and dog breeding? I’ve revealed my family’s darkest secrets over on the Civilian Reader blog.

http://civilian-reader.blogspot.com/2011/07/interview-with-darius-hinks.html

Wazza Priest review

darius — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:09:53 +0000

http://redrookreview.blogspot.com/2011/07/reading-darius-hinks-warrior-priest.html

A couple more Sigvald reviews

darius — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:47:11 +0000

I knew somebody would enjoy the fish-faced wizard.

http://civilian-reader.blogspot.com/2011/07/sigvald-by-darius-hinks-black-library.html

http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2011/07/review-sigvald-by-darius-hinks.html

We call upon the author to explain

darius — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:41:44 +0000

The nice people at Falcata Times have reviewed Sigvald and posted some of my confused ramblings.

http://falcatatimes.blogspot.com/search/label/Darius%20Hinks