Ask the Author: J.P. Sexton
Answered Questions (7)
J.P. Sexton
I worked as an undercover investigator for the United Nations during the Balkan wars of the 90's. At one stage I was based in Vukovar, Eastern Slavonia, where ferocious fighting between Serb and Croat forces engaged in "ethnic cleansing." Human Rights violations were rampant. One day I was the first responder to the murder of a young European Soldier who was part of the peace-keping process. As I was bent over his body, checking for signs of life, I noticed what looked like a local Policeman (the U.N. did not allow them to wear any patches or carry anything other that a hand gun) in the blue boiler suit which was their desinated uniform. After a few minutes, several people came out of their homes to see what the gunfire was. I also noticed the mystery man was much closer and walking straight towards me. Although I couldn't hear myself say it, I yelled to everyone to take cover as the killer had returned. By the time myself and some other men got turned around and ran up the street looking for a safe place, the unknown man started firing his machine gun and sprayed bullets at us and the houses along the street. We finally found a courtyard which wasn't locked and waited with baited breath for the shooting to pass by.
J.P. Sexton
So far, I have never experienced it. Whilst I prefer to be "off the grid" and write in solitude, I have had such strong urges that I have found myself writing paragraphs and chapters on planes, buses, in a doctor's waiting room and having to cancel a dinner with a friend as I suddenly felt an uncontrollable need to write.
J.P. Sexton
For me, it is the release of what has always been inside me and being allowed to share this with readers all over the world. It is a very special feeling when someone tells me that my writing makes them feel like they are in the story and taking each journey with me.
J.P. Sexton
Don't get caught up in worrying about how good you may be. That is something which you/we will probably never know. Rest assured though, that others will tell you after they have read your work. Keep writing and believe in yourself.
J.P. Sexton
I have just started book two of my memoir. It begins when I joined the Irish police force and will cover my journey through different continents and over a couple of decades.
J.P. Sexton
I constantly get ideas and thoughts which I feel will fit well into the book I am writing, or a future book. Being by the sea, or in a remote area, like where I grew up in Ireland, allows me to get away from the day-to-day life and concentrate on my writing.
J.P. Sexton
Since it is a memoir about growing up in Ireland, I have been carrying around the story in my mind and in my heart for several decades. A couple of years ago the timing must have been right and I just started writing it out of the blue one day as I sat by the beach.
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