NK Chats To… Robert Whanslaw

Hi Robert, thank you so much for joining me today and for inviting Novel Kicks onto your blog tour. Can you tell me about your book, Dark Orchid Affair and what inspired it?

It was an idea I’d had in my head for over ten years—how one event can change your life. I always knew I’d write it; it was just a question of when. I love understanding how people work: the psychology behind why a person is driven to do the things they do. The most interesting of those people are the ones with flaws in their character. We all have flaws, so my focus in my writing is on characters with major flaws.

What are the challenges of this genre. Also, what do to find the most fun about it?

Knowing the boundaries. Noir is dark, but you need a little bit of light in any story, so getting the mix right—and the importance of getting that balance—is something I worry about, and hope I get right. The fun parts are just that: pushing the boundaries.

What’s your typical writing day like? Do you have any rituals?

It depends where I am in the writing. I am a big planner. This is what I would call my creative stage, and there’s no routine to this. I can wake in the middle of the night and think of an idea. I tend to wander around the world in a daze during this time. When I have the concept of the book in place, I write intensely, but I will break every thirty minutes for five to regenerate my energy.

What’s your favourite word and why?

I bought a book a few years ago about ‘words everybody should know’. I came across the word callipygian, which means well-shaped buttocks, and thought, “That is a word I am going to have to use one day.” The Dark Orchid Affair provided that opportunity when Ben watches Maxine get up from the table and head to the exit.

In your opinion, what are the most common mistakes people make when writing a novel for the first time?

Jumping in too quickly. I wrote one-and-a-half novels before my debut novel, The Boy Who Changed His World, was published. The other one-and-a-half went in the bin. I’m not saying they were wasted—I learnt a lot and developed my voice as a writer—but I think I gained more from writing short stories. Set realistic goals. You don’t run a marathon the first time you go out running.

How do you approach the planning, research, writing and editing processes?

I am a big planner; I have each chapter drafted out before I start writing. The planning is what I call my creative stage. I am on this 24/7—I am in another world as I build the world I will finally put down in words. Then writing is where I love to work on the sentences, giving them rhythm and a bite that I hope will resonate with the reader. With editing, I’m lucky: I have a very understanding wife who loves books and studied English at university, so she will happily correct all my mistakes. It then goes off to another editor, and after that it’s pretty much ready for publication, by which time I’m working on my next project.

If you were compiling a playlist for Dark Orchid Affair, which songs would you include?

The scene with Eleanor on the boat would have to be backed up by Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On, for obvious reasons—no spoilers, you’ll have to read the book. But the overall theme of the book is a bit gritty, with an overhanging, uncomfortable taste, so I would go for Green Day’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

If another character from a book you’ve not written could cameo in Dark Orchid Affair, who would you pick?

It would have to be Amy Dunne from Gone Girl. Could you imagine? If things aren’t bad enough for Ben already, and she turns up. Love the thought of that!

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a series of novellas, the first of which is set for publication in May 2026. They are set in the 1980s, all with a focus on dangerous women in one form or another.

Any other advice for new writers?

One word – write!

Would you rather –

Have unlimited books or have £1,000,000?

I don’t think I could read £1,000,000 worth of books in my lifetime, so I’ll take the money, please.

Be able to fly or be invisible? It has to be invisible.

I am a people-watcher. Having the invisibility cloak would give me access to see the persona that people often adopt stripped away.

Live in the city or the country?

I was brought up in the suburbs of London and have now moved to the south coast of England. I like the country; it has a calming realness to it.

Live in an eternal spring, summer, autumn, or winter?

Summer. I have to have sun.

Be able to read minds or control things with your mind?

Read minds—again, I want to know what people are really thinking.

Have the ability to spend one day in the future or visit one day in the past?

One day in the past, but I will keep to myself what day that would be.

See the movie or read the book first?

I have to read the book first. If I know there is a film, I don’t want to see the trailer or know who is in the film. I love being able to create the image in my head from the words on the page. Plus, books are better anyway.

Have magical powers here on earth or live in a magical place without powers?

Magical powers here on earth. Will I use them for good or evil? You didn’t ask!

About Robert Whanslaw –

Robert Whanslaw writes noir, dark crime fiction, and psychological thrillers, grounded in grit, flaws, and the messy business of being human.

He doesn’t write about perfect people. If he did, they’d be the kind you’d want to throw off a fast-moving train.

Raised on the likes of Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain, and the raw voices of mid-century noir, Whanslaw brings a classic noir fatalism into the modern world. His stories walk the fine line between justice and survival, where everyone has a secret and most people lie.

Say hello to Robert via X.

About Dark Orchid Affair – 

Ben Walker’s life shatters after one reckless night. Seduced by Maxine—a ruthless femme fatale—he wakes to a nightmare: compromising photos, blackmail, and the threat of losing everything—his marriage, career, and freedom.

Faced with impossible choices, Ben pays the price. But one payment is never enough.

Dragged deeper into a deadly web of lies and manipulation, the stakes escalate, and the noose tightens. What began as a desperate bid to protect his secrets becomes a desperate fight for survival.

With his world crumbling and prison on the horizon, Ben must confront a brutal truth—how far will he go to break free? And can anyone truly escape the sins of their past?

A gripping neo-noir thriller of betrayal, seduction, and deadly consequences.

Dark Orchid Affair was released in December 2025. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US and Waterstones. 

(If you buy the eBook of  Dark Orchid Affair in its launch month of December, it is only £0.77 in the UK and $0.99 in the USA.) 

Click here to view the book trailer for Dark Orchid Affair on YouTube.

*****

Win a Paperback Copy Of Dark Orchid Affair – 

Do you fancy winning a paperback copy of Dark Orchid Affair? 

If you’re in the UK or US, this is your chance. 

We have 10 copies to give away. Simply click on this link for details on how to enter. 

*Terms and Conditions –

UK & US entries welcome.  Please enter using the Gleam link above.  The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner.

Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  

I (Novel Kicks) am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.