the best creativity magazine in the UK, the best book magazine in the UK, the best arts magazine in the UK, the best entertainment magazine in the UK, the best celebrity magazine in the UK, book marketing UK, book promotion UK, music marketing UK, music promotion UK, film marketing UK, film promotion UK, arts and entertainment magazine, online magazine uk, creativity magazine

On The Table Read, “the best book magazine in the UK“, author David Blackmore discusses his new book, To The Douro, and being inspired to write his Wellington’s Dragoon book series.

JJ Barnes editor of The Table Read online creativity, arts and entertainment magazine

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed author David Blackmore about his life and career, what inspired him to start writing the Wellington’s Dragoon series, and the work that went into his latest release, To The Douro.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

David J Blackmore, To The Douro, The Table Read
David J Blackmore

I’m a retired museum professional, I spent 26 years with the Royal Armouries, mostly as their Registrar, I have been a reenactor since 1973, I’m a rider, the author of four non-fiction books, and I have a PhD in military history.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

I can’t remember. It was an idea that was always at the back of my mind.

When did you take a step to start writing?

In the mid-eighties I gave a lecture to the Arms and Armour Society, and my first non-fiction book, Arms and Armour of the English Civil Wars, came out of that.

With regard to fiction, I tried to write a science fiction novel, but got nowhere with it. Then I joined a local writing group, which is interested in all aspects of the written word, not just the act of writing.

Back in 2019, however, we set ourselves the challenge of writing a first page for a book. The group wanted to know what happened next with mine, so I wrote a short story. They liked that as well, and that gave me the encouragement to have a go at a complete novel.

the best creativity magazine in the UK, the best book magazine in the UK, the best arts magazine in the UK, the best entertainment magazine in the UK, the best celebrity magazine in the UK, book marketing UK, book promotion UK, music marketing UK, music promotion UK, film marketing UK, film promotion UK, arts and entertainment magazine, online magazine uk, creativity magazine

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

It’s been about two and a half years from start to release, but the book took about a year. The rest of the time has been trying to get it published, and writing the second book in the series.

How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?

The second book in the series should be out later this year. It’s already finished, so, again, a year to write it.

Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write To The Douro?

As I said, it came from a short story, which was written for fun. I enjoyed it, thought that something more might be possible, and got on with it.

What were your biggest challenges with writing To The Douro?

Getting the historic facts right, and interweaving the story with real events.

Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?

Would it be glib to say that I wanted Michael Roberts to very different from Richard Sharpe? I did decide that I wanted him involved in the intelligence side of the Peninsular War, and thought that the best way to achieve that was to make him fluent in Portuguese. That led to him being born in Lisbon, which in turn has made for an interesting backstory that has fed into the books generally.

To The Douro, David J Blackmore, The Table Read
To The Douro

Other than that, I wanted him to be a fairly typical representative of the young cavalry officers who fought against Napoleon. Of course, he develops, and in many ways becomes atypical.

All Book Reviews - 20% off at AuthorsReading.com

Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?

I wanted a believably nasty piece of work, not some incredible super villain, or serial killer type, and I ended up with Jean-Paul Renard.

What is the inciting incident of To The Douro?

The death of Michael’s parents.

What is the main conflict of To The Douro?

Leaving aside the Peninsular War itself, it is the long running feud between Michael and Renard.

Did you plot To The Douro in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?

There was a huge amount of plotting, necessary because of Michael’s involvement in well known, historic events. However, there were also times when the story just flowed naturally, and went in unexpected directions, which was both exciting and slightly scary.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did To The Douro need?

Fortunately, the discipline of doing my PhD gave me a lot of the technical skills needed for writing, but I was also able to call upon a friend who read everything when I got to the point of no longer being able to see the wood for the trees. They picked up not just on typos, but also narrative inconsistencies, and weren’t afraid to tell me if they thought a character was acting out of character. In the end, not much editing was needed.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?

Write for enjoyment.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

There is a whole series planned, which will take Michael’s story all the way to the aftermath of Waterloo.

And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

Absolutely.

Published by Brindle Books, To The Douro (ISBN: 1739864867) is available on Amazon as follows:

Hardcover (£20.00) – https://amzn.to/3PpLDTx

Paperback (£8.99) – https://amzn.to/3a8VvkF

Kindle format (£3.99) – https://amzn.to/38BDR8q

Amazon Author Page; https://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Blackmore/e/B08QN8CCH2?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1655131230&sr=8-1

My Blog;  https://djblackmore.wordpress.com/

My Publisher; https://www.brindlebooks.co.uk/

Donate to support The Table Read
We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
162 thought on “Author Interview – David Blackmore – To The Douro”
  1. It begins to become potential to use HCG throughout a cycle of this length, but most
    guys will not want or need to use it for thus long and as a substitute use HCG in the
    course of the tip of the cycle. A commonplace error is to imagine
    that the half-life of a steroid is a agency and unchangeable quantity.
    In some circumstances, you will see a spread of hours or
    even days estimating a half-life as a result of particular
    person factors like metabolism will always trigger variations.
    If you’re in search of a safe and legal possibility, we highly recommend taking
    a look at the web site sponsors right here at steroid.com.
    Here you will discover high quality alternate options which are authorized, secure and that don’t require a prescription.
    These who use this steroid can probably add as a
    lot as 30 kilos of muscle to their frames with one cycle.

    The key to maximizing these gains is often stacking Equipoise with testosterone.

    A take a look at and boldenone cycle dosage is often planned to ensure optimum outcomes.

    If you do want steroids to control a medical situation, taking
    steps to reduce the dosage and length can cut back
    the chance of heart damage. Timing of steroid use may increase
    the risk of experiencing full cardiac arrest. For instance, when individuals attribute early warning indicators of a coronary heart attack to their workout, they could not get help rapidly and develop more serious complications.
    The method the heart contracts and relaxes may change whenever
    you take large doses of steroids. Additionally, approximately 3 to 4 million Individuals use steroids to realize muscle mass.

    The reality is that you have to understand EQ and know what it could and can’t provide.

    A Clenbuterol cycle ought to be brief and begin at a low dose, particularly if it’s
    your first time. You will want to consider your response to this drug
    before raising the dose. Typically, Clenbuterol dosages will enhance as your cycle progresses to make sure your body doesn’t become used to the
    decrease dose, which can trigger stagnant outcomes. 25mg to 50mg per day is an efficient place to begin for brand
    new feminine customers of Primobolan. If you’re not too concerned about testosterone, you ought to use Testosterone Cypionate (a slow-acting ester), providing strength and size features and
    a few fat loss. The normal strategy is to run this Test on a steady dose with a low dose of an AI to regulate estrogen.
    Nonetheless, additional studies are wanted in this area, on circumstance that there isn’t a dependable take a look at to diagnose AAS abuse.
    AASs in supraphysiological concentrations influence a number of central nervous system
    capabilities, corresponding to memory, aggressiveness,
    nervousness and depression, notably in predisposed individuals
    [48,forty nine,50,fifty one,52]. The underlying mechanisms involve neurotransmission by affecting the synthesis and degradation of neurotransmitters, as properly as neurotransmitter metabolism [53].

    Till studies and such medical evidence surfaces, standard
    logic and what we know concerning the feminine
    endocrine physiology dictates that females should avoid the aforementioned PCT compounds.

    Regardless of expertise level, users ought to at all times begin with lower doses and gradually
    improve as wanted whereas closely monitoring for any negative reactions.
    It’s crucial to remember that even the most secure steroid cycle carries
    potential risks, and there’s no truly “safe” way to make use of anabolic steroids without medical supervision. Intermediate customers
    might incorporate additional compounds, corresponding
    to Anavar (Oxandrolone) or Primobolan, into their cycles.

    These steroids are often thought to be milder options with
    fewer side effects.
    As we proceed to be taught more about how getting older affects drug responses, we can look ahead to extra customized, safer approaches
    to steroid use in our older population. This evolving information will assist be positive that the benefits of steroid therapy could
    be maximized while minimizing potential risks for our elderly family members.
    It depends on the precise condition being handled,
    the sort and dose of steroid, and the patient’s
    overall health. Typically, short-term use (a few days to a few weeks)
    is safer than long-term use. By implementing these patient education and empowerment strategies, elderly people on steroid remedy can turn into energetic individuals of their care.

    This steroid is anabolic and androgenic and is renowned for its ability to
    spice up muscle mass, muscle power, athletic efficiency, and
    much more similar to Turinabol. Ladies with disseminated breast carcinoma
    ought to have frequent willpower of urine and serum calcium levels
    through the course of androgenic anabolic steroid therapy (see WARNINGS).
    Do not take this medication if you’re pregnant or might become
    pregnant during treatment.

    References:

    Growth Factor Plus Community Discussions

  2. Too low of a dosage may find yourself in fats gain due to insufficient hormones.
    You might expertise delicate unwanted effects at any dose, corresponding to
    a higher body temperature and elevated starvation (which
    might not be welcome whereas cutting). The
    muscle tissue may additionally feel somewhat flat, notably at
    higher doses.
    These can embody an increased coronary heart rate,
    chest ache or quicker coronary heart rate and
    breathing, increased sweating, anxiousness, blood sugar levels,
    and a common jittery feeling, as some folks can expertise after plenty of caffeine.
    Winstrol will suppress your testosterone lots, so you’ll
    want exogenous testosterone in your cycle. There are no estrogenic effects,
    and androgenic effects are often mild. It’s an extremely efficient slicing compound that can ship that
    highly desirable hard, dry look and is particularly useful when you’re already
    lean and need more extreme results. If you’re going to run a Winstrol cycle,
    try my complete Winstrol (Stanozolol) cycle guide.
    Sustanon 250 comes with the identical unwanted side effects and
    dangers as all other forms of testosterone.
    We describe its position herein in further element in the subsections on Gynecomastia and Testosterone Deficiency.
    It can set off mood swings, fatigue, restlessness, achy muscle
    tissue, and melancholy. If you have been taking steroids to treat an sickness,
    those symptoms may come again, too. Long-term anabolic use,
    particularly excessive doses, can damage your liver,
    kidneys, and heart. These drugs also can increase your
    LDL “unhealthy” cholesterol, which may make you more prone
    to have coronary heart attacks and strokes at any age.
    Their performance- and muscle-boosting powers have led
    to widespread misuse and abuse.
    Though other anabolic steroids are extra probably to trigger androgenetic
    alopecia, which is the shrinking of hair follicles, inflicting significant
    thinning and hair loss (on the scalp). So, if you’re genetically vulnerable to dropping your hair, Dianabol might trigger some thinning in prone individuals.
    Bodybuilders who cycle anabolic steroids have an elevated danger of nephrotoxicity
    (kidney toxicity), demonstrated by excessive creatinine ranges.

    Throughout a 2010 case report, Dr. Leal Herlitz examined the
    kidney function of 10 bodybuilders who had utilized steroids long-term.
    She says 90% of them developed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (scarring in parts of the kidney’s filtering units) (5).

    Even black market versions will price way over most oral steroids.

    It is not unusual for a 5-10mg Oxandrolone tab to value
    $1-$4 per tab, the place steroids like Dianabol can simply be
    discovered for a few cents on the dollar per 10mg
    tab. Commonplace Anavar doses for therapeutic remedy will normally fall within the 5-10mg per day range with 20mg per
    day usually being the utmost dose. Such use will usually last 2-4 weeks with a small break after
    use earlier than implementing the next 2-4 week cycle.
    These statistics present the extent of steroid abuse amongst
    users and the way it affects them.
    Dianabol has a very negative impact on cholesterol, probably causing atherosclerosis
    (thickened arteries because of plaque buildup).
    Two causes of Dianabol’s cardiotoxicity are water retention and the stimulation of the
    hepatic lipase enzyme in the liver. According to our powerlifting patients, Dianabol is probably considered one of the most
    potent steroids for increasing uncooked power and power.
    During testosterone administration, researchers report
    that the pituitary gland indicators the testes to stop producing natural testosterone, contributing
    to hypogonadism (Testosterone Enanthate Effectiveness deficiency)
    (3). This process occurs as a result of supraphysiological ranges of serum testosterone and the physique attempting to hold up homeostasis.
    Due to its high market value, bodybuilders may be less probably to use oral testosterone,
    also referred to as undecanoate or Andriol.
    You ought to have regular appointments together with your healthcare supplier when taking
    an anabolic steroid to assess how nicely it’s working.
    Anabolic steroids (artificial androgens) work by
    activating androgen receptors in your body and mimicking the results of pure androgens.
    Ranges of testosterone are naturally much larger in males than in ladies.
    This is a distorted physique image where, even when you’re muscular, you see yourself as small and weak.
    Tensions between some AAS users and the medical community are nicely documented [26, 67–69]
    and long established [70], predating anti-doping or
    legislative control in most international locations.
    Though psychological harm and the potential demand for interventions to address dependence are additionally properly recognised [71–75] and diagnostic
    tools available [52, 76], out there services are few and much between.
    Many individuals who use anabolic steroids recreationally
    take much more than is usually used for medical situations.
    This is especially true if the steroids are
    in a supplement or injection that incorporates high
    concentrations. Misuse of anabolic steroids may cause quite lots of unwanted facet effects starting from gentle to harmful or
    even life-threatening. Most unwanted facet effects are reversible should you cease taking the medicine, but others may be permanent.
    Sadly, some folks misuse these powerful drugs to construct muscle mass shortly or enhance athletic performance, which is dangerous and unlawful.
    In addition to the need to guarantee correct and
    consistent reporting of activity and an upscaling of analysis and evaluation, there
    is a need to make sure that interventions are culturally applicable to the target groups.

  3. CorPharmacy [url=https://corpharmacy.com/#]Cor Pharmacy[/url] best canadian pharmacy for viagra

  4. ViagraNewark [url=http://viagranewark.com/#]ViagraNewark[/url] Cheapest Sildenafil online

  5. northwest pharmacy canada [url=https://corpharmacy.com/#]CorPharmacy[/url] CorPharmacy

  6. Viagra Newark [url=http://viagranewark.com/#]Generic Viagra for sale[/url] ViagraNewark

  7. EdPillsAfib [url=http://edpillsafib.com/#]cheap erectile dysfunction pills[/url] Ed Pills Afib

  8. CorPharmacy [url=https://corpharmacy.com/#]CorPharmacy[/url] top 10 online pharmacy in india

  9. EdPillsAfib [url=http://edpillsafib.com/#]cost of ed meds[/url] erectile dysfunction pills online

  10. Cheap generic Viagra online [url=http://viagranewark.com/#]Viagra Newark[/url] sildenafil 50 mg price

  11. canadian pharmacy generic viagra [url=https://corpharmacy.com/#]CorPharmacy[/url] canadian pharmacy sildenafil

  12. UofmSildenafil [url=https://uofmsildenafil.com/#]UofmSildenafil[/url] sildenafil cost compare 100 mg

  13. ivermectin oral solution [url=https://pennivermectin.com/#]Penn Ivermectin[/url] ivermectin pour on for cats

  14. generic tadalafil canada [url=https://avtadalafil.xyz/#]tadalafil 2[/url] Av Tadalafil

  15. best online doctor for antibiotics [url=https://massantibiotics.com/#]zithromax 500 without prescription[/url] over the counter antibiotics

  16. Uofm Sildenafil [url=https://uofmsildenafil.com/#]sildenafil soft gel capsule[/url] sildenafil price mexico

  17. PennIvermectin [url=http://pennivermectin.com/#]side effects of ivermectin in rabbits[/url] PennIvermectin

  18. UofmSildenafil [url=http://uofmsildenafil.com/#]Uofm Sildenafil[/url] Uofm Sildenafil

  19. ivermectin oral 0 8 [url=https://pennivermectin.com/#]purchase oral ivermectin[/url] Penn Ivermectin

  20. Penn Ivermectin [url=https://pennivermectin.com/#]how to use ivermectin pour-on for cattle[/url] ivermectin 1 cream 45gm

  21. Uofm Sildenafil [url=https://uofmsildenafil.com/#]Uofm Sildenafil[/url] UofmSildenafil

  22. get antibiotics without seeing a doctor [url=https://massantibiotics.com/#]amoxicillin 500 mg purchase without prescription[/url] Over the counter antibiotics pills

  23. sildenafil tablets 100mg australia [url=http://uofmsildenafil.com/#]generic sildenafil coupon[/url] sildenafil 75 mg

  24. Mass Antibiotics [url=https://massantibiotics.xyz/#]Mass Antibiotics[/url] MassAntibiotics

  25. planbet login [url=https://planbet.sbs/#]PLANBET লগইন করার জন্য বর্তমান লিংক[/url] planbet

  26. DarazPlay latest access address [url=https://darazplay.blog/#]DarazPlay latest access address[/url] darazplay

  27. dabet [url=http://dabet.reviews/#]trang ghi chú liên kết Dabet Vietnam[/url] địa chỉ truy cập Dabet mới nhất

  28. planbet login [url=http://planbet.sbs/#]PLANBET Bangladesh official link[/url] PLANBET working address for Bangladesh

  29. liên kết vào Fun88 cho người dùng Việt Nam [url=https://fun88.sale/#]Fun88 Vietnam liên kết truy cập hiện tại[/url] địa chỉ vào Fun88 mới nhất

  30. link Dabet hoạt động cho người dùng Việt Nam [url=http://dabet.reviews/#]đường dẫn vào Dabet hiện tại[/url] Dabet updated working link

  31. nagad88 লগইন করুন [url=https://nagad88.top/#]nagad88[/url] nagad88 লগইন করুন

Leave a Reply