With the ‘Penned Up 2019’ festival in full swing here’s an article about one of last years contributors, author Ben Kane. Click below to see the article as it appeared in The Manor magazine. Keep scrolling for a text only version.
The Manor meets – Ben Kane: Text only version
Earlier this year we were visited by best-selling author, Ben Kane. The avid historian spoke about his work and passion and how security at the prison gate had stopped him bringing in his Roman helmet and sword (true story). When he was leaving he took a list of questions that had been compiled by The Manor team. He was good to his word and sent us the answers on the next page. Ben Kane – top bloke!
Which came first? Was it the history that led to the writing or the writing that led to the history?
Definitely the history that led to the writing – history has always been my favourite topic / interest. Not just Roman history, I hasten to add, but all history. If it’s got men with swords and / or guns, I’m there. (I’m interested in social history too, just not as much!)
What was the first thing you wrote?
A never-published novel about a centurion on Hadrian’s Wall, set during a little-known
rebellion against Rome in 181AD. I may resurrect that book one day!
How hard was it to get published?
It was easy for me – I have many writer friends who struggled for years to get a lucky break. Fortunately, my experience consisted of writing the novel mentioned above, and then, because all the soldiers did in it was ‘bloody march’ (my agent’s words!), I wrote The Forgotten Legion, which was the subject of a bidding war by six publishing houses. After that, as they say, the rest is history.
What’s your favourite achievement / book / character?
Achievement – this will Always be making the break from being a veterinary surgeon to a full-time writer.
Book – Eagles at War, because of the Character – Tullus, main protagonist of Eagles at War and the following two books, 40-something, cynical, full of aches and pains, he will do anything for his men.
Why do you think that classical history is still so popular?
I don’t know – perhaps it’s the fascination with the similarities to us and our lives, or
perhaps it’s the fascination with the huge differences between us and those who lived in the past – or maybe it’s a combination of the two. that’s what it is for me.
Do you ever get people pointing out mistakes or is it you that points them out?
Yes, I do, but thankfully, it has become quite a rare occurrence, because I take such care to try and make my books as accurate as I can, using all the ancient sources, archaeology and information I can get from textbooks. Sometimes I find them after a book has been
published – that is SO annoying, but it’s also inevitable. When you have to write a book a year, and then send it to print, a few errors will always slip through.
How much licence do you take with your work? Do you find you have to fill in many gaps?
I take very little licence – only where it is necessary. Even then, I won’t change the location of a major battle, say, or the date a real person died. Whatever I change, I acknowledge in my author’s notes. Sadly, the gaps in our knowledge of the ancient world are far larger than what we actually know. In consequence, I have to fill in gaps all the time. I do this to the best of my ability, using a combination of background knowledge, common sense and – guesswork! If there’s a better way to do it, please let me know!
What one piece of advice would you give to any writer?
Write every day. EVERY DAY.
Ben Kane’s extensive catalogue of books are available now at the prison library.
