Ask the Author: Jonathan Dunne
Answered Questions (25)
Jonathan Dunne
Sure Lisa! I'll be in touch in a couple of months! Thanks!
Jonathan Dunne
Hi Angie
The simple answer is whatever amount of words you feel comfortable with. I set a low (and maybe realistic) word count so I don't feel bad when I only reach that and i feel good if i surpass it, haha. In some parts of your book you will write 3000 words and in other parts you might write half that amount because you need to stop and think. It also depends on what stage you are at of your book...First draft? Second draft? Etc. If I was averaging 500 words per day, everyday and consistent, I would be 😊 (happy)
The simple answer is whatever amount of words you feel comfortable with. I set a low (and maybe realistic) word count so I don't feel bad when I only reach that and i feel good if i surpass it, haha. In some parts of your book you will write 3000 words and in other parts you might write half that amount because you need to stop and think. It also depends on what stage you are at of your book...First draft? Second draft? Etc. If I was averaging 500 words per day, everyday and consistent, I would be 😊 (happy)
Jonathan Dunne
Hi Johnny, i feel the time is right. I started out writing horror and supernatural short stories and published those in online magazines. I need a new challenge and I feel there's something calling me back. There's a reason for everything.
Jonathan Dunne
I'm going to answer this question on the 1st thought: I would go to hogsmeade and drink several butterbeers at The Three Broomsticks :)
Jonathan Dunne
I'm not sure who my favorite fictional couple are but Harold and Maude created by Colin Higson come to mind firstly. They are unique and bounce off each other in a magical way. Perhaps we think of man and woman as our fictional couple but perhaps it's not man and woman. Maybe it's a symbiosis which exists between two characters...One feeding off the other. Funny you should ask this now because maybe I will find my favourite couple in my next book after Rainbow Rebels. A symbiosis exists between both characters and are, in their own special way, quite the couple - one feeding off the other (a clue).
Jonathan Dunne
I'm not sure who my favorite fictional couple are but Harold and Maude created by Colin Higson come to mind firstly. They are unique and bounce off each other in a magical way. Perhaps we think of man and woman as our fictional couple but perhaps it's not man and woman. Maybe it's a symbiosis which exists between two characters...One feeding off the other.
Jonathan Dunne
If that's what works for you, Lee Ann, then I'll go along with that ;)
Jonathan Dunne
That's Chloe. I have another daughter, Maia, who is a little older. She's still practicing her name so she doesn't write too much but she sure does love to listen to stories. I love to see how she cuddles up and prepares herself to listen to a story. Halfway through the story I look at her face and she's living in the world of the story. It's just magic. Who knows if she will write in the future…she certainly loves stories. Watch this space.I love how children live in children's books and give themselves completely to the story.no questions asked.
Thank you for your question Heather!
Thank you for your question Heather!
Jonathan Dunne
Hello Diana, to answer your question I think it has to be a natural thing of needing to write every day. That's how it is for me. If I don't write I don't feel great. I started writing in my late teens short stories and eventually worked that up to novels. Probably the first time I wrote a novel was when I discovered that a short story had a lot more story to it. what kit do you need? Firstly I think you need to have your own space where you can write everyday whether that be a closet or a specific room that you can use to write. You also have to read a lot and that is not only a cliché but the truth. I don't read enough. I don't read enough because I am writing in what would be my reading time. I write what I feel comfortable with and not what the market dictates.
PS my ebooks are only $0.99 right now :-)
Jon
PS my ebooks are only $0.99 right now :-)
Jon
Jonathan Dunne
Good question :)
Jonathan Dunne
Hi Leslie,
I confess to not having been personally affected by Alzheimer's, though I have friends who have been affected. I also did online research/case studies.
After that, I relied on my imagination and resources as a writer.
Thanks for your question. Its always humbling when a Reader has actually lived what is fiction for me. hope my book was positive in some way.
Onwards and upwards.
Jon
I confess to not having been personally affected by Alzheimer's, though I have friends who have been affected. I also did online research/case studies.
After that, I relied on my imagination and resources as a writer.
Thanks for your question. Its always humbling when a Reader has actually lived what is fiction for me. hope my book was positive in some way.
Onwards and upwards.
Jon
Jonathan Dunne
I did some research, plus I have friends from Romania who also filled me in. Personally, I've never lived in the Romani culture but I learned enough as an outsider to have a vague idea. Really, the Romani culture is a very small element of this book and this book could take part in any bohemian lifestyle.
I just chose Romani to make it a little more authentic. This book is a black comedy and would work with or without the Romani aspect, but I would have to choose another culture and Romani seemed as good as any.
Thanks Kiran!
I just chose Romani to make it a little more authentic. This book is a black comedy and would work with or without the Romani aspect, but I would have to choose another culture and Romani seemed as good as any.
Thanks Kiran!
Jonathan Dunne
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Jonathan Dunne
Joseph, hello,
Thanks for the question.
It's the first option: a single idea that grows arms and legs (most importantly legs so it can stand on its own). The story never comes fully formed. Many times, I couldn't tell you where the overall idea comes from because that 'big idea' is an amalgam of little ideas...The origins of my stories are a series of dot-to-dots that I eventually join to get the big picture. I keep notes everywhere, my phone, laptop...whatever is the nearest. Sometimes, I can find a pattern in between those notes. Ideas normally come when I'm driving, if I read something that grabs my curiosity, or even misreading/misunderstanding something can give me an idea. For my latest book, I had 1 experience when my 4 year-old daughter was almost knocked down on the street. It got me thinking...and thinking and it has eventually become Hearts Anonymous which will be out in a few days.
Thanks Joseph ... up and up with your books.
Jon
Thanks for the question.
It's the first option: a single idea that grows arms and legs (most importantly legs so it can stand on its own). The story never comes fully formed. Many times, I couldn't tell you where the overall idea comes from because that 'big idea' is an amalgam of little ideas...The origins of my stories are a series of dot-to-dots that I eventually join to get the big picture. I keep notes everywhere, my phone, laptop...whatever is the nearest. Sometimes, I can find a pattern in between those notes. Ideas normally come when I'm driving, if I read something that grabs my curiosity, or even misreading/misunderstanding something can give me an idea. For my latest book, I had 1 experience when my 4 year-old daughter was almost knocked down on the street. It got me thinking...and thinking and it has eventually become Hearts Anonymous which will be out in a few days.
Thanks Joseph ... up and up with your books.
Jon
Jonathan Dunne
Hi Margherita, how are you. At the moment no, sorry, just in English. for now my objective is to build a reader base in my native language. I don't have the resources to translate into other languages for now.Thanks for the question!
PS judging by your question, you seem to have enough English level to read my book. It isn't very technical :-)
PS judging by your question, you seem to have enough English level to read my book. It isn't very technical :-)
Jonathan Dunne
Really Julie? That's great. My next book should be out around April… If I can keep it all together :-) I still don't have a title for it and I am halfway through the second draft.
Best regards, Jon
Best regards, Jon
Jonathan Dunne
Thanks Alicia, I needed a pick-me-up today. Regards, Jon
Jonathan Dunne
Don't get hung up on categories, Heather. If I was bothered about categories and what the mainstream think, well, I'd never write another book. I was once told by a publisher that they like my writing but they weren't sure on what bookshelf I belong. I'll sit on any bookshelf if it's strong enough to hold me :)
Jonathan Dunne
Hi
The inspiration seems to come as a consequence of getting the first few lines and when I realise that a story can stand on its own, that's the inspiration right there. However, to be inspired I first need an idea-seed and that can come in any form. In other words, I don't know what inspires me, but I strive for certain conditions to let the ideas flow. That happens in my writing-room.
Does that answer your question? Maybe it's a little obscure :)
Jon
The inspiration seems to come as a consequence of getting the first few lines and when I realise that a story can stand on its own, that's the inspiration right there. However, to be inspired I first need an idea-seed and that can come in any form. In other words, I don't know what inspires me, but I strive for certain conditions to let the ideas flow. That happens in my writing-room.
Does that answer your question? Maybe it's a little obscure :)
Jon
Jonathan Dunne
Hello Shannon.
Film inspires me and I strive to capture a specific atmosphere on the page. Later, the story builds up around that atmosphere. Normally it turns out to be something blackly comedic. If I were to choose a writer whose writing produces an atmosphere where I would love to wander, then Dickens. If you're looking for me in the after-life then you'll find me wandering one of the Victorian streets, watching one of his great stories unfold :)
Film inspires me and I strive to capture a specific atmosphere on the page. Later, the story builds up around that atmosphere. Normally it turns out to be something blackly comedic. If I were to choose a writer whose writing produces an atmosphere where I would love to wander, then Dickens. If you're looking for me in the after-life then you'll find me wandering one of the Victorian streets, watching one of his great stories unfold :)
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