Ask the Author: Jason Lockwood
Answered Questions (7)
Jason Lockwood
After many years of avoiding them, I've decided to start reading Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I've never been a fantasy reader, really, but quite a few friends have recommended the series, and I've enjoyed Robin Hobb's books, so I figured it was 'time' to tackle this series.
Because I'm going on a two-week cruise it November, it will be the perfect time to delve into Jordan's universe.
Because I'm going on a two-week cruise it November, it will be the perfect time to delve into Jordan's universe.
Jason Lockwood
It's quite simple: I wanted to write a narrative of the seven-week round-the-world holiday I took with my partner and his teenage daughter. I didn't know immediately if I'd publish it, but quickly reached the conclusion I enjoy hearing and reading about other people's travel adventures, so why not release my take on the travel memoir to the general public?
Jason Lockwood
Life is its own inspiration. I've lived in five different countries over the course of my life, and therefore I have a treasure trove of experiences from which to draw inspiration.
As a kid, I knew I wanted to live a life of adventure in many parts of the world. From the age of 17, I've done just that, without being a daredevil type. I like to think I'm a keen observer of people and cultures – a consequence of being dropped into different places and having to work out how to survive.
As an introvert, I've long been someone who thinks first before speaking. I ask a lot of questions, and I'm keenly interested in other people. I like to know how they tick, and I enjoy discussing values. All of this leads to a headful of writing ideas.
As a kid, I knew I wanted to live a life of adventure in many parts of the world. From the age of 17, I've done just that, without being a daredevil type. I like to think I'm a keen observer of people and cultures – a consequence of being dropped into different places and having to work out how to survive.
As an introvert, I've long been someone who thinks first before speaking. I ask a lot of questions, and I'm keenly interested in other people. I like to know how they tick, and I enjoy discussing values. All of this leads to a headful of writing ideas.
Jason Lockwood
I've just released my second book, Two Weeks in Phoenix, so I'm taking a bit of a breather before going back to my next big project.
I will offer a bit of a teaser, however. Nearly six years ago, I got the idea for a memoir that would describe the relationship between me and my then recently deceased father. He was a journalist by profession, and had a long and illustrious career that spanned 50 years.
As I began to think about the book, the devil on my shoulder began feeding me tidbits, such as: What if I HATED my dad? and What if he and I were estranged for many years? and What if I were a fabulously successful businessman and my dad was envious and tried to destroy me?
Those questions led to other questions, and then I realised my memoir had become a novel premise. And so, The Journalist's Son was born. Later, when the book began getting more and more complex, I decided I had multiple novels surrounding the key characters. I've finally worked out that it's a trilogy, and each will be narrated by a different character.
I will offer a bit of a teaser, however. Nearly six years ago, I got the idea for a memoir that would describe the relationship between me and my then recently deceased father. He was a journalist by profession, and had a long and illustrious career that spanned 50 years.
As I began to think about the book, the devil on my shoulder began feeding me tidbits, such as: What if I HATED my dad? and What if he and I were estranged for many years? and What if I were a fabulously successful businessman and my dad was envious and tried to destroy me?
Those questions led to other questions, and then I realised my memoir had become a novel premise. And so, The Journalist's Son was born. Later, when the book began getting more and more complex, I decided I had multiple novels surrounding the key characters. I've finally worked out that it's a trilogy, and each will be narrated by a different character.
Jason Lockwood
One word, really: finish!
Self-publishing phenom Hugh Howey had that advice years ago, and I took it to heart. I made it my goal to always finish what I start.
Another important piece of advice is more of a recognition that writing is a skill and a craft. It is NOT automatic, and there's no such thing as a natural writer. If you've read brilliant books, then that's a testament to the fact the writers worked bloody hard to make them brilliant.
If you doubt your skills as a writer, then keep practising. Try to be kind to yourself. Read widely and often, even in genres you normally don't read. It's a pet peeve of mine when people say: 'I don't read [insert genre here]. They're all just about [insert over-generalised view of a genre].' I say read sci-fi even if you normally don't, or historical fiction even if you like contemporary detective fiction. Read memoirs, history, philosophy, short stories, etc. The purpose is to broaden yourself generally, so your writing isn't limited by your love of, say, YA fantasy.
Self-publishing phenom Hugh Howey had that advice years ago, and I took it to heart. I made it my goal to always finish what I start.
Another important piece of advice is more of a recognition that writing is a skill and a craft. It is NOT automatic, and there's no such thing as a natural writer. If you've read brilliant books, then that's a testament to the fact the writers worked bloody hard to make them brilliant.
If you doubt your skills as a writer, then keep practising. Try to be kind to yourself. Read widely and often, even in genres you normally don't read. It's a pet peeve of mine when people say: 'I don't read [insert genre here]. They're all just about [insert over-generalised view of a genre].' I say read sci-fi even if you normally don't, or historical fiction even if you like contemporary detective fiction. Read memoirs, history, philosophy, short stories, etc. The purpose is to broaden yourself generally, so your writing isn't limited by your love of, say, YA fantasy.
Jason Lockwood
There are so many things I love about it, but first and foremost it's practising what I've so long admired in my favourite writers. Before I ever wrote a book, it was a goal I always had. I didn't care what the book was; I just needed to do it.
It's true writing is a solitary act, requiring many many hours sequestered away from friends and loved ones. If handled well, however, writing should never replace relationships, but neither should relationships impede on the necessity to write.
Over the years, I've found a good balance between the social and the solitary. As a fairly classically introverted person, my social interactions tend towards one–on-one and small groups. This makes the pressure to be social less difficult to deal with, because most people who know me understand my manner.
It's true writing is a solitary act, requiring many many hours sequestered away from friends and loved ones. If handled well, however, writing should never replace relationships, but neither should relationships impede on the necessity to write.
Over the years, I've found a good balance between the social and the solitary. As a fairly classically introverted person, my social interactions tend towards one–on-one and small groups. This makes the pressure to be social less difficult to deal with, because most people who know me understand my manner.
Jason Lockwood
Some of you may find this odd, but I have never had writer's block to any significant degree. That said, I have, from time to time, struggled to follow through on a writing project. In the past, I would have a great idea for a piece – either long-form or short – and abandon it, never to return.
These days, I have one directive to myself, and that's to finish every writing project I undertake. Finishing means, at minimum, that I've written a complete draft. Whether or not I edit and refine the piece is another question.
I find that some pieces are simply written to practice craft. For example, I recently wrote a short story of just over 3,000 words. It was fun to write, and I've edited it quite heavily, but at this point, I have no plans to do anything in particular with it. Perhaps, after I've amassed 20 or 30 stories, I'll publish them in one book.
I do have a bit of a mantra when it comes to writing. During drafting, I tell myself I'm writing the best, most brilliant thing ever conceived. This gives me the encouragement to solider through to the end of the draft. Then, during editing, I flip my opinion of the piece and tell myself it's the worst trash ever written, and then I proceed to make it good.
Ultimately, I have to love what I've written, or I won't bother putting it out for the world to discover.
These days, I have one directive to myself, and that's to finish every writing project I undertake. Finishing means, at minimum, that I've written a complete draft. Whether or not I edit and refine the piece is another question.
I find that some pieces are simply written to practice craft. For example, I recently wrote a short story of just over 3,000 words. It was fun to write, and I've edited it quite heavily, but at this point, I have no plans to do anything in particular with it. Perhaps, after I've amassed 20 or 30 stories, I'll publish them in one book.
I do have a bit of a mantra when it comes to writing. During drafting, I tell myself I'm writing the best, most brilliant thing ever conceived. This gives me the encouragement to solider through to the end of the draft. Then, during editing, I flip my opinion of the piece and tell myself it's the worst trash ever written, and then I proceed to make it good.
Ultimately, I have to love what I've written, or I won't bother putting it out for the world to discover.
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