Interview with novelist S.S. Turner

Today’s special author guest is novelist S.S. Turner. We’re chatting about his new literary fiction, Secrets of a River Swimmer.

During his virtual book tour, S.S. will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
S.S. Turner has been an avid reader, writer, and explorer of the natural world throughout his life which has been spent in England, Scotland and Australia. Just like Freddy in his first novel, Secrets of a River Swimmer, he worked in the global fund management sector for many years but realized it didn’t align with his values. In recent years, he’s been focused on inspiring positive change through his writing as well as trying not to laugh in unfortunate situations. He now lives in Australia with his wife, daughter, two dogs, two cats, and ten chickens.

Please tell us something about your new release.
As Freddy gazes at the majestic river gushing past him in the depths of a Scottish winter, he’s ready to jump in and end his life. But what happens next is not what Freddy expects. From the moment he enters the river, Freddy starts a journey which is more beautiful, funny, and mysterious than he could have imagined. And through this journey Freddy’s story becomes interweaved with a cast of unforgettable characters who are equally lost and in search of answers. Eventually they all unite in their quest for an answer to the biggest question of them all: will the river take them where they want to go?

In the tradition of inspirational works of fiction like The Alchemist and Life of Pi, Secrets of a River Swimmer is at once a profound exploration into living with meaning and an affecting story of people on the cusp of change.

Excerpt from Secrets of a River Swimmer:
From Page 21-22

My thoughts drift to picture what life as a gillie must be like. I imagine you start the day by carrying all the fishing equipment your fat and wealthy clients will need for a day of luxurious and fully-catered fishing. You carry everything while they take it easy, and you locate the best spot to fish for the largest possible salmon. Your local knowledge about fishing spots has to be extraordinary. You then set up the fishing rod, position your client in the right spot, and talk them through what they need to do to catch that magic fish they’re all searching for. Of course, your clients are always searching for the largest catch of the season, so they can go home and brag to their friends and family about what skilled fishermen they are. It’s obvious to you, if not to them, that the subtext is being able to sing to the world that they have massive willies, bigger than everyone else’s.

Beyond fishing, you’re forced to listen to whatever the hell it is your clients want to talk about for the eight long hours you’re on the river. Your clients are all obscenely wealthy, so it’s more than likely you’ll hear a lot of moaning about all the small things in life they’d like changed. Many of them will complain about local wind farm developments, council plans to develop their neighborhood, and, of course, the big one: immigration. They all believe immigrants are responsible for all the problems in the world. These people are your quintessential NIMBYs, and will always complain about progress if it affects them in any way, no matter how minor. You do whatever you can to bring the conversation back to fishing because it’s an easier conversation for you, and less productive grounds for their complaining. They’re slowly sucking the life out of you with their negativity, so you carefully select your words to bring the conversation onto a more positive pathway. And, of course, your ultimate back-up plan, as it is for many British people, is to pull out the ultimate conversation filler when you’re at rock bottom: the weather. Yes, it’s a desperate move and the equivalent of holding up a white flag, but needs must.

What would we find under your bed?
A cat! We have two very charismatic cats, Oscar and Heidi. They patrol the entire house looking for unwelcome intruders like mice and bugs. Under the bed is one of their favorite patrolling areas, and they often fall asleep whilst they’re on duty down there.

What was the scariest moment of your life?
It was when a scene from Secrets of a River Swimmer literally came to life a few months ago. I was stand up paddle boarding on our local lake. It’s a massive beautiful lake which no one ever visits. I discovered why on that fateful day.

It was super windy and there were small waves running across the lake. A more sensible person would have turned back when they saw the dangerous conditions, but I ventured in anyway. I’ve always loved adventure and I sensed an opportunity for a wild adventure that afternoon. Anyway, I managed to paddle out a few hundred meters into the wind and waves and I was enjoying the experience. But then, a bigger wave struck my board. It literally turned me around and carried me forwards with it. So I was riding a wave across the lake which I couldn’t get off it. It was a terrifying moment, and it became more terrifying when I saw where the wave was carrying me: up one of creeks which connected with the lake. I was heading up shit creek with a paddle!

The wave carried me at least a mile along the creek until I eventually pulled myself off it. I pulled myself to the side of the river and took a moment to assess my situation. The realization hit hone that I was stranded where I was because the current was moving so strongly up the creek. As I sat there, I felt more relaxed than I should have considering the high risk situation. But I trusted the situation would play out in my favor just as it had in my novel. So I took a few deep breaths, got back on my board, and started paddling against the waves and current.

At first, it was useless and I was washed further up the creek. Then, I moved to the side of the creek where the current was slightly slower and I paddled with all my might. The good news was I was making slow progress forwards, but the bad news was it was costing me a huge amount of energy. I had no choice but to keep going so I kept going. Each stroke was exhausting. After what felt like an eternity, I finally made it back to the lake, and then eventually to the side of the lake where I’d launched from.

By then, I’d been paddling against the current for over four hours without food or water. I was beyond exhausted. But I survived. And I learnt the hard way why so few people visit that lake on windy days. I also learnt that novels have a way of coming to life.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
Always. I love music and find it helps me write. I try to match the music with the vibe I’m aiming for with my writing. When I aiming for a mystical vibe, I listen to Max Richter or Lanterns on the Lake. When I’m after uplifting, I turn up Gabriel & Dresden or Of Monsters and Men. And when I want thought-provoking I tune into Laura Marling or The National. Selecting the right music to write to is one of my favorite parts of the writing process.

What is something you’d like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I’d like to achieve enough commercial and critical success to allow me to focus entirely on my writing career from next year onwards.

How long did it take you to write this book?
Secrets of a River Swimmer took me around a year to write and edit.

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