Ask the Author: James Hartley
Answered Questions (8)
James Hartley
Hi Caroline - thanks! Do you like Lowry as well?
James Hartley
Hi Bobbie. Thanks for the question. I think this is the first question I´ve been asked by a real person on Good Reads!
The writers most influential on my writing are probably Enid Blyton, for her imagination (and for giving me hours and hours of reading pleasure as a child), Mark E Smith, an English rock singer, for his word play, Beryl Bainbridge, an English writer from Liverpool for her well-crafted later books and then Malcolm Lowry, Charles Bukowski, Iain Banks and Eca de Queiros among many others for their mastery of the art.
I don´t try and copy anyone but I do sometimes stop and take a metaphorical step back when I really like someone´s writing to ask myself "why?".
My experience in Asia plays into the humanity of the characters in the Shakespeare´s Moon books. In the past and probably in the future I will write more stories based in Asia but as these books are largely based in England, Asia comes through more from characters than settings.
I love Asia like I love everywhere I have been in the world. I love Libya, Syria and Singapore. I love Scotland, England, Ireland, France and Germany. I love the USA, Malaysia, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Italy. I´m not a big fan of borders and flags and nationalism. I don´t think anywhere´s "better" than anywhere else - really. I don´t know why I have to decide between A and B. I don´t believe life needs to be a competition anymore - I think we are beyond that mentally.
You don´t have to look hard to find horrible humans - within countries people fight, within workplaces, schools, streets, houses and families: people spend a lot of time fighting with themselves.
If anything, my travels in Asia informs my view of humanity: we´re all the same family; the same people who share the same home.
The writers most influential on my writing are probably Enid Blyton, for her imagination (and for giving me hours and hours of reading pleasure as a child), Mark E Smith, an English rock singer, for his word play, Beryl Bainbridge, an English writer from Liverpool for her well-crafted later books and then Malcolm Lowry, Charles Bukowski, Iain Banks and Eca de Queiros among many others for their mastery of the art.
I don´t try and copy anyone but I do sometimes stop and take a metaphorical step back when I really like someone´s writing to ask myself "why?".
My experience in Asia plays into the humanity of the characters in the Shakespeare´s Moon books. In the past and probably in the future I will write more stories based in Asia but as these books are largely based in England, Asia comes through more from characters than settings.
I love Asia like I love everywhere I have been in the world. I love Libya, Syria and Singapore. I love Scotland, England, Ireland, France and Germany. I love the USA, Malaysia, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Italy. I´m not a big fan of borders and flags and nationalism. I don´t think anywhere´s "better" than anywhere else - really. I don´t know why I have to decide between A and B. I don´t believe life needs to be a competition anymore - I think we are beyond that mentally.
You don´t have to look hard to find horrible humans - within countries people fight, within workplaces, schools, streets, houses and families: people spend a lot of time fighting with themselves.
If anything, my travels in Asia informs my view of humanity: we´re all the same family; the same people who share the same home.
James Hartley
The Invisible Hand has been long in gestation. Years, really. I´ve always wanted to write a book that might inspire people - GCSE, High School aged people - to read Macbeth and enjoy it. I was taught it really well and I´ve never lost my passion for it.
It was one of those ideas that had lain fermenting for so long in my mind that it came out nice and easy. I knew as I enjoyed watching it form on the page that other people would enjoy reading it.
Surely that´s convinced you to have a look?
It was one of those ideas that had lain fermenting for so long in my mind that it came out nice and easy. I knew as I enjoyed watching it form on the page that other people would enjoy reading it.
Surely that´s convinced you to have a look?
James Hartley
No option. Whether I do it well or badly, it´s something I do. It´s something I´ve always done.
In tough times good writers, good books, have kept me going. That inner, mental smile, when you just know what you are reading is great, when it lifts your soul: that´s when you know it´s worth it.
No envy. No fear. No meanness.
In tough times good writers, good books, have kept me going. That inner, mental smile, when you just know what you are reading is great, when it lifts your soul: that´s when you know it´s worth it.
No envy. No fear. No meanness.
James Hartley
Learn how to take criticism. Don´t float too high with praise or sink too low with rejection. Enjoy what you do. Believe in your inner voice: if you think it´s bad, it is. Set yourself up for the long haul. Keep an open heart and mind. Don´t chase fame or money: wrong business. Try to get better.
James Hartley
A table set up in the living room.
James Hartley
Shower ideas.
Revenge, served cold.
Tying up a good story with a good ending (even if it´s in the middle).
Revenge, served cold.
Tying up a good story with a good ending (even if it´s in the middle).
James Hartley
I go outside, no matter what time the day or night, and walk up to groups of strangers and begin to chant, "come on everybody! Let´s all have a sing song" and then, depending on my mood, I either force everyone to sing Yellow Submarine by The Beatles or Happy by Pharrell Williams - which is not easy, as I live in Spain and not everyone speaks English. Then, when everyone is singing along, I do a bit of parkour.
If, after that, I don´t feel invigorated and inspired, I consider retraining as a chef or lawyer - the type of jobs which people always need. The idea of becoming a lawyer, though, usually sobers me up to the fact that writer´s block is not such a serious thing, at least if it doesn´t go on for years, and I return to my desk and begin plodding along again, typing, reading, typing and reading.
Does anyone read this stuff?
If, after that, I don´t feel invigorated and inspired, I consider retraining as a chef or lawyer - the type of jobs which people always need. The idea of becoming a lawyer, though, usually sobers me up to the fact that writer´s block is not such a serious thing, at least if it doesn´t go on for years, and I return to my desk and begin plodding along again, typing, reading, typing and reading.
Does anyone read this stuff?
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