Imagine being able to travel back in time so that you could go to any rock ‘n’ roll concert in history, anywhere in the world.
Now imagine discovering that rock ‘n’ roll actually “died” in 1984 and that you and your best friend are the only people who can save it!
That’s exactly what author Duncan Milne has done in his latest novel, “And Then They Ruined Everything,” the second book in his trilogy “The Death of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
The boys, Kenn Ramsleyer and Sid Itious, trace the decline of rock ‘n’ roll to the theft of a bootleg concert tape in 1984. Now they must travel back in time, once more, to retrieve the cassette and return it to its rightful owners. But to do that they’ll need to take on some of biggest counter-culture celebrities of the 1980s. Sid’s new girlfriend isn’t quite what she appears to be either–though he is too blinded by love to see it at first… (Excerpt )
Read the author's interview below.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve always written, but since 2011 I started a transition from writing legal briefs and research papers to writing something that people might actually want to read. The real impetus to this chapter of my writing came through a flash of inspiration and one of my many sarcastic remarks.
As it happened, I was working as a lawyer in Australia when I was handed a contract to review. At that same time, I was told that they needed it “for last week”, my response was, “right, if I could travel through time your contract wouldn’t be the first thing on my 'To Do' list." Later that day, I was bitterly recounting the story to the local barista (she had commented that I looked grumpy, which wasn’t unusual for where I was presently working), she laughed and asked “what would you do if you could time travel?” The answer was to travel to rock ‘n’ roll shows that I never saw. She’s in a local band and we both roared with laughter. “What a great idea for a book,” she said. When I got home that night I started drafting. That manuscript became "The Death of Rock’n’Roll, The Impossibility of Time Travel, and Other Lies”. I’ve now finished the second book of what will become a four book series.
What is your most recent literary/artistic project?
I’ve just published the second book in the Death of Rock’n’Roll series, “And Then They Ruined Everything”.
In addition to this series, I’m working on a novel set in Sydney, a collection of unrelated short stories, and co-authoring a non-fiction book about sports performance.
What inspires you to write?
The human condition is the source of most of my inspiration. There is a tremendous amount of conflict and tension that we co-exist with. I enjoy exploring this relationship, while trying to make sense of it in a meaningful and hopefully inspiration (or at least motivating) manner.
Who’s your favorite author and why?
Favorite. Hmmmm. I don’t really believe in a ‘best in class’ sort of assessment of anything, so I’ve got a list of ‘go to’ authors. I like courageous authors who are willing to take a reader somewhere unexpected. These are also the writers who delve into the human condition and inspire my own writing.
Currently Ransom Riggs is at the top of list with his Miss Peregrine series. I’ve rushed through reading the series and now I’m circling back to take it slowly.
Rounding out the (current) collection is:
Italo Calvino (Invisible Cities, Cosmicomics);
Arturo Pérez-Reverte (Queen of the South, Saville Communion, Club Dumas, Captain Alatriste series);
Michel Faber (Under The Skin);
Giles Foden (Last King of Scotland, Turbulence) and
Christopher Moore (Bite Me, Dirty Job, You Suck)
What advice can you give to other authors or writers?
Try to find small group of people to read your work. People who’ll be honest, but supportive, about your prose, the direction the story is taking, the characters, the language, the jokes, the emotion, everything. I’ve had a number of re-writes because I’ve been told, “I hate this; I know what you’re trying to say, but it doesn’t work.” Conversely, I’ve had input from people who’ve uncovered things that were unintended, but the feedback then lead me to explore that theme more. You write for yourself, but others read your work. It’s important that it makes sense to both sets of eyes.
Where can readers go to find out more information about your work?
The easiest place to find my writing is my website: www.Duncan-Milne.com
I regularly post news as well as short stories or samples that I’m working on. Additionally, there are links to the Elm Grove Publishing where there are other interesting works and samples of novels.
Additionally, I’m on Facebook —> https://www.facebook.com/TheyRuinedEverything/
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