Behind The Scenes with St. Albans crime writer Rachael Blok
We had the pleasure of speaking to St. Albans crime writer Rachael Blok about her published and upcoming books.
Rachael, We would love to hear a bit about yourself (where you grew up, studied?)
Thanks for having me! I grew up in Durham and did a BA at Warwick University, in English Literature. I later did a PGCE and an MA at Durham University, when I decided to become a teacher. Since writing, I have given up teaching and write full time.
When did you first realise that you wanted to be a writer?
I have always written. I think all English teachers are frustrated writers to some extent! I started to write seriously on maternity leave. I loved having a baby but I found it hard being at home so much on my own – it was a big adjustment to teaching full time in a busy London comprehensive school. I used to write during baby naps, and my first book is about a new mother. It took a few years to write.
What is your writing process like? Where do you get your inspiration from and how long on average does it take you to write a book?
I start with one idea in mind, a single image, and the story goes out from there. The first book took a few years, but once I found an agent and then a publishing contract, I have to write one book a year. It takes about four to five months to write the book, then another four to five months to edit with my editor. I’ve written three books so far, with the third out this April. I’m writing the fourth at the moment.
Can you tell us a bit about the two books that you have already published ‘Under the Ice’ and ‘The Scorched Earth’?
Under the Ice is a story about a young mother, who is inexplicably drawn to the lake in St. Albans. It’s set in the twelve days leading up to Christmas, and St. Albans is covered in a blanket of snow. A young girl is found drowned in the lake, and it’s up to DCI Maarten Jansen to solve the mystery. The Scorched Earth is set during a heatwave, and after a stormy night, a body is found buried in an unmarked grave in a village cemetery. A woman, whose boyfriend is serving a sentence for the murder of his brother, becomes involved in the case. This is DCI Jansen’s second case.
Your main character is Maarten Jansen, A Dutch DCI living in St. Albans. Do you have a connection with Holland?
My husband is half Dutch. My father-in-law, who is from Delft, is my senior Dutch advisor! I’ve always loved Holland.
You have two more books coming out this year. Are they built around the same main character, and is there a connection between all 4 books that you’d like to share?
Into the Fire is out this April, and the fourth is due out now probably next April. It was originally due to be released in November but the pandemic has caused some delays to the schedule. They’re all set in St. Albans, and each is set in a different season. The third is set at Halloween near the Roman Theatre, and the fourth is set at Easter, and is set in the St. Albans Cathedral. Each one is a case for DCI Jansen.
You are part of a “Crime Writers Club’ who wrote a collection of stories called “Afraid of the Light” of which all proceeds went to the Samaritans to help support mental health during lockdown. Can you tell us a bit more about this writer’s club, the book, and why this charity was chosen?
I’m in a group called Criminal Minds. We’re a group of friends, all crime writers. We decided to release Afraid of the Light to support the Samaritans because of the crisis of mental health due to lockdown. We released a second anthology in December, called Afraid of the Christmas Lights, which is a Christmas crime anthology. This time we supported two frontline domestic abuse charities, Rights of Women and ESDAS. The pandemic has left many families vulnerable to domestic abuse, with the compounding stress of lockdown and job loss.
Have you experienced writer’s block and if so, do you have any tips that have helped you with it?
I think all writers have moments of staring a blank page! I’m lucky with great writing friends. The Criminal Minds group are a great help, and I have some brilliant friends I made early in a writing group, before we all got publishing contracts. We meet for regular coffees and they’re always the first people to read my finished drafts.
Do you have advice for any aspiring writers?
The most important thing to do is to write a little, as often as you can. Many people start writing but stall after a few chapters. If you can keep going, and just write when you can, you will be amazed how quickly your work grows. Don’t get too stuck with making it perfect the first time round. There’s always a second draft. Find a writing group, or try a course, if you have time.
Do you have a favourite book or one that you like to re-read?
My favourite books are Middlemarch by George Eliot and The Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood. I’ve always loved Agatha Christie too, and I re-read her novels all the time. Particularly now I write crime. She’s so good at character!
What do you like to do when you're not writing? And where are your favourite hotspots in St Albans?
I’m a mum to two children, so that keeps me quite busy. I spend a lot of time in St. Albans when I’m basing novels there. Before lockdown, I wrote in cafés in and near the Cathedral where my fourth book is set, and took the dog for walks there each day. It’s good to let stories tick over in your brain before you commit them to paper. I’ve spent a lot of time in Nkora and The Pudding Stop.
As Sabine is Dutch, we are wondering what you like about Holland, and lastly, spreek je Nederlands?
I love Holland! We’ve visited Delft and Amsterdam frequently. My husband’s family are originally from Delft, although my father-in-law and his sister have both moved over to the UK now. My cousin recently completed an MA in Amsterdam and it was lovely to go over and visit her. I don’t speak much Dutch at all. I can order in a café and that’s it. My husband speaks excellent Dutch after a few beers!