Ask the Author: Jack Nook
Answered Questions (5)
Jack Nook
I'm guessing you mean Book 5 just released? I only ask as it hasn't appeared yet under this profile yet. Hence you may mean book 4 - in which case I apologise for talking about book 5 lol
Focusing on cozy mysteries, essentially means avoiding too much violence, gore and blatant killing, although still needing a good old fashioned murder to grip readers!
So I am often trying to thing of ways where a murder could occur through perhaps a moment of passion, frustration or more unintentional than planned.
Using my own town by the coast as inspiration for the setting for the series as I do - over the years I've often been away of people wanting change or improvements made. Especially in more modern day cultures when town centres are maybe not quite the central hub they were.
Often when these developments do get proposed, they are met with a lot of protest or dissapoinment. I guess it can be like that in many places.
So that led to me thinking what of that develooment proposal was so big, it really pushed people to the extreme whether for or against. And those extremities could lead to that passion or rage that might result in some mishaps! And things developed from there...
That was quite a long winded answer 🙂
Focusing on cozy mysteries, essentially means avoiding too much violence, gore and blatant killing, although still needing a good old fashioned murder to grip readers!
So I am often trying to thing of ways where a murder could occur through perhaps a moment of passion, frustration or more unintentional than planned.
Using my own town by the coast as inspiration for the setting for the series as I do - over the years I've often been away of people wanting change or improvements made. Especially in more modern day cultures when town centres are maybe not quite the central hub they were.
Often when these developments do get proposed, they are met with a lot of protest or dissapoinment. I guess it can be like that in many places.
So that led to me thinking what of that develooment proposal was so big, it really pushed people to the extreme whether for or against. And those extremities could lead to that passion or rage that might result in some mishaps! And things developed from there...
That was quite a long winded answer 🙂
Jack Nook
I have always enjoyed reading and writing creatively and using word play. But nothing ever as large as an actual book. Just in reports at work or weekly emails issued for a competition I used to run every football season.
While I was considering a complete change in my job and having some time off work, reading lots, these things sort of finally came together when I discovered a course to learn writing and publishing. And although it wasn't going to allow me to completely change my job (still doing it) it did give me something to work on in my spare time, with the goal of it ultimately becoming my full time job.
I also liked the idea that even if it remained a part time thing, it was something I could potentially continue when I retire.
While I was considering a complete change in my job and having some time off work, reading lots, these things sort of finally came together when I discovered a course to learn writing and publishing. And although it wasn't going to allow me to completely change my job (still doing it) it did give me something to work on in my spare time, with the goal of it ultimately becoming my full time job.
I also liked the idea that even if it remained a part time thing, it was something I could potentially continue when I retire.
Jack Nook
Book 5 in the current series has just been released "Deadly Developments At The Harbour'. So there will be a bit of marketing to do.
But then I also have completed the plot summary for book 6. It's just a 1 page summary - the next stage will be to start creating a chapter by chapter outline, each containing a number of beats/scenes which gives me a plan and journey to follow once I start writing.
That's not to say things don't change along the journey but I like having that clear(ish) plan of where I am going.
But then I also have completed the plot summary for book 6. It's just a 1 page summary - the next stage will be to start creating a chapter by chapter outline, each containing a number of beats/scenes which gives me a plan and journey to follow once I start writing.
That's not to say things don't change along the journey but I like having that clear(ish) plan of where I am going.
Jack Nook
Keep at it. These things can take time. But it is so rewarding when you have a finished book. I think what I have learned most so far, is to just concentrate on getting a full draft written. Don't try and edit as you go along. Get it all down and then start the editing, revising process.
Jack Nook
Not a very original answer, but seeing your work published, someone buying it and feeding back how much they enjoyed it. I do like the creative side of it, working on a new plot and summary for the next book. Once that is done it's more graft lol But trying to imagine a potential story and twist is very enjoyable.
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