Ask the Author: Jack Clark
Answered Questions (7)
Jack Clark
Stephen Fry's books on Greek Mythology - Heroes and Mythos
Jack Clark
I have always enjoyed reading and writing but never "had the time" - an old excuse but a good one. A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with an illness and I needed something to keep my mind occupied whilst I was housebound being treated and recovering from surgery - I had plenty of time on my hands then. I found myself doodling with ideas and scribblings I had done in the past and the book came together as a project I gave myself to keep myself busy. I managed to get it finished just before I returned to college where I worked as a lecturer.
Jack Clark
I wanted to write an action book but I wanted a realistic female lead character. I have skipped through a few books that had female leads on the front cover but were hardly more than a series of set piece gun battles where our heroine takes on an army of armed killers and defeats them without a hair out of place.
I didn't want that for my lead. I wanted a character you could believe in and, more importantly, care about.
I created the character of Krystian Romanova and the setting was to be in the Middle East. The first book - 'Genesis' was mainly to do with establishing characters and was written in convalescence. The follow up is much more action led, the Middle East setting giving wide scope for heroes and villains of all persuasions.
The final book in the trilogy ties up all the loose ends and I am enjoying every minute of writing it.
Where to get the ideas? Look at the news - its all there.
I didn't want that for my lead. I wanted a character you could believe in and, more importantly, care about.
I created the character of Krystian Romanova and the setting was to be in the Middle East. The first book - 'Genesis' was mainly to do with establishing characters and was written in convalescence. The follow up is much more action led, the Middle East setting giving wide scope for heroes and villains of all persuasions.
The final book in the trilogy ties up all the loose ends and I am enjoying every minute of writing it.
Where to get the ideas? Look at the news - its all there.
Jack Clark
I am part way through the third book in the 'Tears of Abraham' trilogy - 'Tears of Abraham: Apocalypse.
Without giving anything away in 'spoilers' this final book in the series completes the cycle, some old faces are coming back - Montserrat Bouvier and Anton Fischer - new characters are introduced and the story is concluded in an explosive finale.
Hoping to get it out early in the New Year.
Without giving anything away in 'spoilers' this final book in the series completes the cycle, some old faces are coming back - Montserrat Bouvier and Anton Fischer - new characters are introduced and the story is concluded in an explosive finale.
Hoping to get it out early in the New Year.
Jack Clark
(1) Find a space and (2) give yourself time and (3) don't feel guilty about doing something for nobody else but you.
(1) Find a space (attic, cupboard, shed or bedroom) where nobody can find/disturb/bother you. This is your writing space. This is all yours, nobody else's. Disappear into this space with your coffee, notebook or laptop and write. Only come out when you have used up your hour (or however log) of your 'me time'.
(2) Give yourself time. Find a time in the day - before work, after work, time when the kids are asleep when you can devote an hour to do just what you want to do.
(3) Don't feel guilty about it. Cleaning, cooking, doing homework and decorating will all get done. Work expands and contracts to fill all the time available. This is your hour, you've worked hard for it, you deserve it. Don't lose it.
(1) Find a space (attic, cupboard, shed or bedroom) where nobody can find/disturb/bother you. This is your writing space. This is all yours, nobody else's. Disappear into this space with your coffee, notebook or laptop and write. Only come out when you have used up your hour (or however log) of your 'me time'.
(2) Give yourself time. Find a time in the day - before work, after work, time when the kids are asleep when you can devote an hour to do just what you want to do.
(3) Don't feel guilty about it. Cleaning, cooking, doing homework and decorating will all get done. Work expands and contracts to fill all the time available. This is your hour, you've worked hard for it, you deserve it. Don't lose it.
Jack Clark
The surprise on the faces of the people I have known for years when they find out I have written a book. Or two.
That and the pleasure of creating something new, surprising myself sometimes. Amazing sense of achievement. Not just the writing but the research, the cover creation and that magic bit where you press the 'Publish' button.
And the smile on my face when I see the sales and lending chart. There is also something extremely satisfying when you see people reading my work on line.
That and the pleasure of creating something new, surprising myself sometimes. Amazing sense of achievement. Not just the writing but the research, the cover creation and that magic bit where you press the 'Publish' button.
And the smile on my face when I see the sales and lending chart. There is also something extremely satisfying when you see people reading my work on line.
Jack Clark
I just write. Creativity comes by hammering the keyboard. The writing may not flow very easily but the words do come and the ideas flow once you have your mind set on the story and you stick at it.
Get the first sentence down. Where is the character? What is he/she feeling? Why is the stranger holding a gun on them?
After that, keep typing/writing. The words do come. Just don't procrastinate. (my big failing) Sit down and write.
Get the first sentence down. Where is the character? What is he/she feeling? Why is the stranger holding a gun on them?
After that, keep typing/writing. The words do come. Just don't procrastinate. (my big failing) Sit down and write.
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