Ask the Author: Dan Jones
Answered Questions (7)
Dan Jones
My most recent book is the second edition of Look Into My Eyes. So the idea for it was giving talks about Asperger's and listening to audience questions and realising that there were some questions asked frequently which weren't covered adequately in my book - they weren't necessarily needed, but I felt having them would enhance the helpfulness of the book. One of these areas were questions about what my wife's experience is of being married to someone with Asperger's, so she has written a chapter about that in the book.
The idea for my most recent book which isn't a second edition was my Relaxing Tales for Children. One idea for it was that for almost 20 years I had been using specific story-telling techniques to help children sleep at night, and had been teaching parents and professionals those techniques. I had written Sleepy Bedtime Tales which was a collection of 11 bedtime stories to be read to children to help them fall asleep, and I thought what about when you just want children to relax, like in the afternoons at home, or in story-time at school. So I used the same techniques but wrote 11 stories to help children relax. The book has the same characters, just different tales. The ideas for the stories came from trying to think of interesting titles - like: The Early Worm Catches The Bird, and then letting a story flow that fits this title. Most stories flowed well, but some needed re-writing because they didn't feel right. Each story had to carry a positive message for the child and in some cases for the parent/reader. An example of a story not feeling right was 'Saving Prince Charming'. Initially he was saved from a gang of criminals, but I couldn't find a way to end the story without it being negative towards the criminals, so I re-wrote it with the prince being rescued from a dragon, and this version allowed for a cleaner positive ending about respecting animals and doing no harm.
The idea for my most recent book which isn't a second edition was my Relaxing Tales for Children. One idea for it was that for almost 20 years I had been using specific story-telling techniques to help children sleep at night, and had been teaching parents and professionals those techniques. I had written Sleepy Bedtime Tales which was a collection of 11 bedtime stories to be read to children to help them fall asleep, and I thought what about when you just want children to relax, like in the afternoons at home, or in story-time at school. So I used the same techniques but wrote 11 stories to help children relax. The book has the same characters, just different tales. The ideas for the stories came from trying to think of interesting titles - like: The Early Worm Catches The Bird, and then letting a story flow that fits this title. Most stories flowed well, but some needed re-writing because they didn't feel right. Each story had to carry a positive message for the child and in some cases for the parent/reader. An example of a story not feeling right was 'Saving Prince Charming'. Initially he was saved from a gang of criminals, but I couldn't find a way to end the story without it being negative towards the criminals, so I re-wrote it with the prince being rescued from a dragon, and this version allowed for a cleaner positive ending about respecting animals and doing no harm.
Dan Jones
I get inspired from science and technology and wondering 'what if' and thinking about how things could turn out in the future, and from scientific research, especially into psychology and social science, and neuro-science, and genetics, and mind-body fields, and taking research and thinking how it could be applied or what it could mean in the future. I use this inspiration in both my fiction and non-fiction work.
Dan Jones
I have just finished a revised and expanded edition of my Look Into My Eyes book, so I am spending most of my time working on PR for the release on 27th March. When I'm not doing the PR, I am researching for an epic fantasy novel I hope to write, and I am revisiting part two of my Hypnotic Assassin trilogy.
This year I also hope to write my third, and likely final children's story book. Book one helped children sleep, book two helped children relax, book three will help children stop wetting the bed, and I hope to start my 20 volume series of Hypnotherapy books.
This year I also hope to write my third, and likely final children's story book. Book one helped children sleep, book two helped children relax, book three will help children stop wetting the bed, and I hope to start my 20 volume series of Hypnotherapy books.
Dan Jones
Just write until you reach the end. Don't focus on whether it is good or rubbish, a future edit can help with that, don't focus on whether it will or won't sell millions of copies - you have little control over sales figures, focus on completing a first draft. Many people say they want to be writers and say they have started writing many books but never finished one. Don't be one of those people - finish it, then work on improving it, at least you will have a completed manuscript.
Dan Jones
The best thing about being a writer is being able to write anywhere and at anytime. I love sitting in cafe's writing and watching people. I also love researching subjects and continually learning, and creating new worlds, and sharing knowledge.
Dan Jones
Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. I like the interactions between them, the focus on knowledge and learning, and their different ways of thinking, and what they learn from each other's different thinking styles.
Dan Jones
I have occasionally had writers block, what is a mistake for me is if I put the work away for a while. This can lead to me losing motivation and momentum, so I never finish the work, and if I do it is done so with no motivation.
What I find works best is to listen to music (without lyrics), and to just carry on writing anything, whether it is thoughts or random ideas. It doesn't have to be linked to what I am writing, then when the time is right an idea click in my mind, and I continue to write what I was trying to write before I had writer's block.
What I find works best is to listen to music (without lyrics), and to just carry on writing anything, whether it is thoughts or random ideas. It doesn't have to be linked to what I am writing, then when the time is right an idea click in my mind, and I continue to write what I was trying to write before I had writer's block.
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