Lloyd Pilling Tosoff is one of the most exciting authors out there, making it on to the lists of top reviewers across the globe, having written eight books, with more on the way. His work includes his first novel, a Scottish mob thriller penned under the pseudonym Liam Muir, which took the #2 spot in UK Kindle Crime Fiction, while his poignant novel, “Escape from Konigsberg,” has been likened to Dr. Zhivago, by readers.
“Children of Pleiades” a two-part series is the newest work by this brilliant writer. The first book in the series, “Rise of the Henge,” tells the story of a sacred bloodline with legends of star men, and the struggle between forces of good and evil that defines the human condition. This book is destined for the bestseller list, because it takes readers on a grand adventure which hits all the sweet spots and much more. We were very excited when we recently talked with Lloyd about his work, and yes, what is coming next from this prolific writer.
“Children of Pleiades, Rise of the Henge” with a compelling ancient historical theme is an epic read, how did you develop the plot line for this book?
The plot line extends across two novels written as a series. The length of the entire story was simply too long at almost 800 pages, so I decided to split it into two books. Every author has his or her own creative process when it comes to developing a story. The narrative is a series of events driven and furthered by tension, turnarounds, and cliff-hangers, connected by threads that get elaborated as the plot thickens. I had several different working titles when I began with a single idea that eventually got fleshed out when I gave it the title “Children of Pleiades”. At the heart of the novel is the notion of a star seeded bloodline representing the highest of human values pitted against a nefarious character who threads his way through the series to play the role of the evil antagonist. Trained as both a novelist and a screenwriter, I tend to follow the flow and structure of the classic Hollywood narrative: a set up, a problem to be solved, followed by a series of obstacles and pursuits towards a goal that eventually crescendos with a climax and resolution. It works because it is how we, as people, feel our way through life as art and consequently art as life. It is a very satisfying way to tell a story. That is my template for plot development. The rest is the intuitive, inside job of being a writer.
In this book you use extremes and duality to take readers on a ride many will never want to see end. Can you talk a bit about what it is about extremes that intrigues you so much?
The simple answer is that I am a high key personality. I thrive on bold strokes of narrative in the same way that a painter of the same ilk needs to use dark values against light to define his subject. I write in picturesque imagery and therefore in this novel, I use the entire range of human emotion and behavior from lust and sexuality, violence and murder, jealousy and conflict et al, to bring my story to life. Using extremes, I paint a realistic rendering of the human story that has not changed since time began. The background of light—visitations from the Otherworld—against the darkness of human behavior, symbolizes the promise of redemption which is the greatest duality of all.
If you could meet any of the characters in this book, who would it be and why? Also what would you two do to have some fun?
Alcyon, the pixy would be a riot. He is the most colourful of all the characters and possesses the highest level of consciousness, while at the same time he is an irreverent little imp. Able to impart an abundance of spiritual truths, he is responsible for ensuring the enlightenment of Blade of Avon in his ultimate role as the first of a lineage of mystic warriors. Without giving away a spoiler, suffice to say I am sure I would become overly intoxicated.
When you’re not writing what are you doing?
Writing. Just kidding. I am also a songwriter with two CD’s of original material and an avid oil painter. I have practised yoga all my life, I work out and walk five miles almost every day with my wife and editor, Karen. I keep very busy.
I‘ve heard that you have another book in the works, and personally I’m thrilled. Could you tell us a bit about that story, and when it will be coming out?
Part two of the Children of Pleiades series, “The Curse of Nordumaal” will follow “Rise of the Henge”, likely in June of 2021. After that, I have a Canadian Crime Thriller, “Black Diamond Conspiracy”. Thirty-one-year-old former airline baggage handler, Jason Black miraculously survives the crash of his light aircraft near the town of Canmore in the Canadian Rockies. After lifesaving brain surgery, he awakens from a coma with no memory of who he was before the crash. Black is helped to uncover his past by the young woman who discovers the severely injured pilot as he lay slumped over the controls of his downed plane. The recollection casts a shadow over his second chance at life when he finds out that he was involved in a diamond smuggling ring. Forced into finding diamonds missing from the crash site, he faces the wrath of the mob boss and pursuit by a rogue cop for a double murder he did not commit.
You can find out more about Lloyd Pilling Tosoff and his work on his website.
