Ask the Author: Jason Blake
Answered Questions (7)
Jason Blake
Hi Mark,
Thank you for getting in touch, and I am please you enjoyed my book.
In answer to your question, although it has been a while since I wrote Sex, Drink & Yellow Fish, as part of the anniversary of the story, 30 years ago, and book being published 10 years next year. I have actually written a new piece of text, a new moment (which is not in the original book), as way to celebrate and a way in which to promote the book too.
Given the timescale, this was a challenge, and even though I approached it in the very same way as the book the additional requirement of creating something that was a limited number of words, engaging, visual, hold within it the wider story, as well as myself as the author looking back was a lot harder. Unlike the book, the only difference was I chose first person narrative as it seemed apt. Plus, of course, incorporating some promotional opportunities to bring Sex, Drink & Yellow Fish to a wider audience.
Firstly I had to choose a moment from my diary that offered new content and engaged me. Once I chose this, I had the outline from the entry and needed to expand this by formulating a structure of the key elements mentioned above and draw from memory, taking myself back and allow feeling. For me this was a case of looking at photos and listening to music of that time, as well as visiting the location in which it is set. Being alone and in a quiet environment helps to capture much of this.
Once I had the first draft it was then a case of crafting the text to meet all the target points. My initial concern when approaching this was attaining the emotion, as when I wrote the original book I was only 19. However, the hardest part was reducing the word count down as much as possible yet still retaining the heart of the piece. I think I must have done three or four complete drafts, and then more than a dozen versions of two sentences, to the point I had to walk away from it for a few weeks and then return to it a fresh, and maybe there was a little subconscious working out, either way it can be frustrating but if you feel something is not right it’s hard to just settle with it.
After all that, upon publication, it was cut by the editor of the magazine… you can’t be to attached to what you have created as they have their own targets, limited space and money.
I will post the original diary entry and my final draft below for you to look at. To note; the publication pretty much just omitted the 4th paragraph.
DIARY ENTRY: FRIDAY 7TH APRIL 1989
Town, cinema and pizza with Adrian.
Went to see Tracey and took my bro’s car out for a spin, great fun! We parked in a gateway on a quiet lane near Ashby Parva, chatted and listened to music (her mix tape). It was good to be away from everything. Just me, and her… I think I am falling for her, big time.
Went down the Bell with the lads, drunk and came home with a Red Stripe poster!
__________
FINAL DRAFT
It was early ‘89, and I hadn’t quite passed my driving test. With my brother’s car, all but abandoned for university and so handed down. There I was doing illegal laps of the surrounding villages in, what to me, was a cool-as-fuck two door cherry red Chrysler Avenger. This was my ticket to freedom… all I needed was the girl.
Tracey was smart and pretty, with a cute smile and eyes that intrigued me. The Avenger gave us time away from life’s distractions. She would laugh at my drunken anecdotes, and I’d happily take her ribbing me about the state of my ripped jeans.
One afternoon we were parked up in an unfrequented gateway overlooking the countryside enjoying the uplifting essence of spring as the sun glinted its way through the trees. It was only when I let her eject The Wonder Stuff’s ‘The Eight Legged Groove Machine’ to play her own mix tape that I realised how much I fancied her. She used my jacket as a cushion and laid her legs out across mine, telling me all about studying for her exams. As she absentmindedly twirled at her hair I drifted a hand over her legs to her ankles and held a smile, abound with teenage desire.
As The Cure’s euphoric ‘Just Like Heaven’ began to jangle into my ears she moved towards me and popped the two top buttons of my black shirt free. “That’s better,” she whispered. Her ever-enchanting presence and White Musk perfume drew me closer. As we kissed The Cure’s infectious melody evoked a feeling that it wasn’t going to last, yet I was set on embracing it, and the oncoming summer for all it was worth. The moment she unwound from me I knew I was in love with her.
I looked at her for a moment or two before holding out the Avenger’s broken choke with a clothes peg. “I’d better get the car back,” I said as I started the engine. “It’s Friday …time to get a little drunk.” She simply smiled at me and turned the music up.
Ever since then I’ve had a soft spot for The Cure, and over the years whenever I’ve seen a picture of a Chrysler Avenger I’ve felt a twinge of nostalgia for that time and that place.
Thank you for getting in touch, and I am please you enjoyed my book.
In answer to your question, although it has been a while since I wrote Sex, Drink & Yellow Fish, as part of the anniversary of the story, 30 years ago, and book being published 10 years next year. I have actually written a new piece of text, a new moment (which is not in the original book), as way to celebrate and a way in which to promote the book too.
Given the timescale, this was a challenge, and even though I approached it in the very same way as the book the additional requirement of creating something that was a limited number of words, engaging, visual, hold within it the wider story, as well as myself as the author looking back was a lot harder. Unlike the book, the only difference was I chose first person narrative as it seemed apt. Plus, of course, incorporating some promotional opportunities to bring Sex, Drink & Yellow Fish to a wider audience.
Firstly I had to choose a moment from my diary that offered new content and engaged me. Once I chose this, I had the outline from the entry and needed to expand this by formulating a structure of the key elements mentioned above and draw from memory, taking myself back and allow feeling. For me this was a case of looking at photos and listening to music of that time, as well as visiting the location in which it is set. Being alone and in a quiet environment helps to capture much of this.
Once I had the first draft it was then a case of crafting the text to meet all the target points. My initial concern when approaching this was attaining the emotion, as when I wrote the original book I was only 19. However, the hardest part was reducing the word count down as much as possible yet still retaining the heart of the piece. I think I must have done three or four complete drafts, and then more than a dozen versions of two sentences, to the point I had to walk away from it for a few weeks and then return to it a fresh, and maybe there was a little subconscious working out, either way it can be frustrating but if you feel something is not right it’s hard to just settle with it.
After all that, upon publication, it was cut by the editor of the magazine… you can’t be to attached to what you have created as they have their own targets, limited space and money.
I will post the original diary entry and my final draft below for you to look at. To note; the publication pretty much just omitted the 4th paragraph.
DIARY ENTRY: FRIDAY 7TH APRIL 1989
Town, cinema and pizza with Adrian.
Went to see Tracey and took my bro’s car out for a spin, great fun! We parked in a gateway on a quiet lane near Ashby Parva, chatted and listened to music (her mix tape). It was good to be away from everything. Just me, and her… I think I am falling for her, big time.
Went down the Bell with the lads, drunk and came home with a Red Stripe poster!
__________
FINAL DRAFT
It was early ‘89, and I hadn’t quite passed my driving test. With my brother’s car, all but abandoned for university and so handed down. There I was doing illegal laps of the surrounding villages in, what to me, was a cool-as-fuck two door cherry red Chrysler Avenger. This was my ticket to freedom… all I needed was the girl.
Tracey was smart and pretty, with a cute smile and eyes that intrigued me. The Avenger gave us time away from life’s distractions. She would laugh at my drunken anecdotes, and I’d happily take her ribbing me about the state of my ripped jeans.
One afternoon we were parked up in an unfrequented gateway overlooking the countryside enjoying the uplifting essence of spring as the sun glinted its way through the trees. It was only when I let her eject The Wonder Stuff’s ‘The Eight Legged Groove Machine’ to play her own mix tape that I realised how much I fancied her. She used my jacket as a cushion and laid her legs out across mine, telling me all about studying for her exams. As she absentmindedly twirled at her hair I drifted a hand over her legs to her ankles and held a smile, abound with teenage desire.
As The Cure’s euphoric ‘Just Like Heaven’ began to jangle into my ears she moved towards me and popped the two top buttons of my black shirt free. “That’s better,” she whispered. Her ever-enchanting presence and White Musk perfume drew me closer. As we kissed The Cure’s infectious melody evoked a feeling that it wasn’t going to last, yet I was set on embracing it, and the oncoming summer for all it was worth. The moment she unwound from me I knew I was in love with her.
I looked at her for a moment or two before holding out the Avenger’s broken choke with a clothes peg. “I’d better get the car back,” I said as I started the engine. “It’s Friday …time to get a little drunk.” She simply smiled at me and turned the music up.
Ever since then I’ve had a soft spot for The Cure, and over the years whenever I’ve seen a picture of a Chrysler Avenger I’ve felt a twinge of nostalgia for that time and that place.
Jason Blake
A new friend was going to join my mates and me on one of our annual lads holidays and said to me, 'I am not sure I will be able to keep up with the drinking.' I replied, 'Don't worry, I’ll write you a Handbook'.
Jason Blake
By choosing a passion for what I wrote about.
Jason Blake
I only have a few ideas at the moment.
Jason Blake
Write what you are passionate about.
Jason Blake
I am predominantly a graphic designer, the feeling of creating something is the best part.
Jason Blake
I just have to wait and it will come. Sometimes when it does I can't write it down quick enough. Always make notes as they can often spark a train of thought.
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