Tim Lebbon
Réalisée en mai 2008
Allan : Hi Tim, The first usually question is simple : who are you ?
Tim : Born in London in 1969, I’ve lived in Wales for the last 30 years. I‘ve always loved writing, and from my early twenties I’ve been writing stories with an aim to get them published. My first novel was published in 1997, and almost ten years later I quit my day job to write full time. Now in my late thirties, I’m living my dream. As well as writing I enjoy reading, movies, walks in the country, good beer and red wine, and I have a wonderful family. And in a few short lines… that’s me!
Allan : The only book published for the moment in France is « Face » that you have written on 2001 and have been published in France on 2004 : How should you introduce it ?
Tim : FACE is a psychological horror story about a family threatened by an outside force. I wrote this novel soon after becoming a father for the first time, and I think that shows through in the story. Presented with this small human being to look after, life suddenly seems much more dangerous and, dare I say it, much more serious. The novel explored my own anxieties of the time (and anxieties which I still retain today), about the responsibility of having children, and how far parents will go to protect their children.
Allan : On « Face », Brand decide to assaulted Dan, Megan and Nikki because they have not accepted to give time : is it a way to make a criticism of a general attitude that push everyone to turn the head not to see people that need some help, some attention ?
Tim : Partly that, but to be honest that Brand was just an evil character, and I think perhaps he offered the family an option like that simply because he knew it would confuse them. It was part of his game. From the second he got into their car he knew he would be persecuting them, and asking them that question was the beginning of his sick game, because really they had no escape whatever way they answered.
Allan : In fact, my previous questions is not totally right because Nikki wants to give some time to this stranger… Finally, even if the entire family has given some times, Brand should have tortured them : why ?
Tim : See above … he’s a sick, evil individual, and he’s already chosen this family to torture.
Allan : « Face » is essentially psychological and all the suspens of the book are more link to an ambiance than blood – except at the end of the book – : this makes me think about Stephen King’s Book… this psychological aspect is more important for you ?
Tim : Absolutely. For me, true horror is in the head, not the gut. It’s almost impossible to get into the reader’s mind by describing scenes of gore and violence, but make them identify with your characters, and the terrible things your characters are going through, and they will begin to experience the story for themselves. There’s room for blood and violence, of course, but for me it’s always the psychological reaction to that which provides the horror.
Allan : The fate of Nikki is the more awful even if she was the more sympathical with Brand… It isn’t very logical, isn’t it ?
Tim : Brand doesn’t work by logic. He wants to hurt this family, and the best way to hurt the parents is through their daughter.
Allan : Have you thought make a new book on Brand to explain him, his motivation for example ?
Tim : I haven’t really considered this, no. I like mystery in books – if something is explained fully, it takes away some of the ambiguity and allure. I also believe that reading can be a creative experience for the reader – an active experience, rather than a passive one. Leave room for the reader’s imagination to work and hopefully they’ll enjoy the book more.
Allan : If you have the choice, which of your book, you prefer to be translated first ?
Tim : I’d love to see my dark fantasy novels DUSK, DAWN and FALLEN translated into French. These are alternate-world fantasy novels, but my horror roots certainly show through in much of the world building and storylines, and the action is often very dark.
Allan : What can we wish you ?
Tim : Long life, happiness, health for me and my family. Thank you!
Allan : I met you on MySpace, do you be very present on it ?
Tim : I check my Myspace page quite regularly, but my main web presence is at www.timlebbon.net This website will be radically overhauled soon, so keen checking back for some very special stuff.
Allan : The last word will be ?
Tim : Be nice to each other – you’re a long time dead. And keep reading!
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Interview réalisée par mail par Allan pour Fantastinet. Mise en ligne : 02 juin 2008
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