Ask the Author: J.J. Franklin
Answered Questions (9)
J.J. Franklin
I would go back to my childhood and visit Enid Blyton's magic Faraway Tree and say hello to all the people who live there. Then I'd climb to the top of the tree to see what new land was visiting before whizzing down the central helter-skelter. Don't think I'd want to come home.
J.J. Franklin
Finding out what happened to my grandfather and where he disappeared to.
J.J. Franklin
I read all P.J. Tracy's books as soon as they come out. The books are set in Minneapolis and featuring the Detective team of Gino and Magozzi. I love the interplay between these two men as well as Magozzi's relationship with computer hacker, Grace MacBride.
J.J. Franklin
The idea for the book I am working on came from reading about a brutal murder where the victim was killed by a gang of youths. I began to wonder what sort of ripples this would create for the victim's family. For this book, I am seeing it from the point of view of his mother and the life changing impact the murder has on, not only her, but also her daughter-in-law and granddaughters.
J.J. Franklin
At times, it is hard to keep going. I resort to all the tricks in the book, putting the novel aside for a while, working on another character or scene, picking random words from the dictionary - I've tried them all. What works best for me is asking the question, what if. This seems to bring up all sorts of new possibilities. I also find getting together with other writers, especially crime writers, helps.
J.J. Franklin
I find people fascinating and like to imagine how they would react to certain situations. If I can then visualise the scene in my head, it writes itself.
J.J. Franklin
I'm working on the second book in the Detective Inspector Matt Turrell series. This takes place two months after the first book and Matt and Eppie are looking forward to their first Christmas together. The title keeps changing so I can't tell you what it is. I have great trouble choosing titles.
J.J. Franklin
Keep going and get your first draft finished. It doesn't have to be perfect and you will have something to change, correct and shape into the sort of book you want. When I started, I had no idea how many drafts it would take or how the book would change. Get expert advice. I sent my pitiful first draft to a literary consultancy and I owe them a great vote of thanks for setting me on the right track.
J.J. Franklin
Being able to explore issues and get inside my character's heads.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more