Ask the Author: Deborah Jay
Answered Questions (11)
Deborah Jay
Definitely Middle Earth. In fact, I've been there, or as it is better known, New Zealand ;)
If I were to visit Tolkein's version, I want to ride across the open country with the Rohirrim, and visit any of the elven cities - SO beautiful.
If I were to visit Tolkein's version, I want to ride across the open country with the Rohirrim, and visit any of the elven cities - SO beautiful.
Deborah Jay
My whole life is stranger than the plot of a novel! If I wrote about how I live with my ex, and her now ex, all 3 of us in the same house except when I stay at my parents place, with my current boyfriend, who lives with his housekeeper who likes to pretend they are an item...
Should I go on???
Should I go on???
Deborah Jay
Hi! I'm so pleased you enjoyed The Prince's Man, and yes, I do plan to get Audiobooks made of all my titles, though I'm not certain yet of a definite timescale - I am planning on some time later this year if possible for The Prince's Man.
In the meantime, in case you might be interested, I have just released a short story that takes place during the gap between The Prince's Man and The Prince's Son, available exclusively to those on my email list - you can find the link on my website.
In the meantime, in case you might be interested, I have just released a short story that takes place during the gap between The Prince's Man and The Prince's Son, available exclusively to those on my email list - you can find the link on my website.
Deborah Jay
I rarely have this problem, and I work around it by always having more than one project on the go at a time. If I'm stuck on one thing, I'll just switch to another.
On the rare occasion when I can't think of anything to write, then I do some editing - that's always easy to do.
On the rare occasion when I can't think of anything to write, then I do some editing - that's always easy to do.
Deborah Jay
If I lack inspiration, I go for a walk or a ride (horseback) in beautiful, wild country and that does the trick. I'm always inspired by the beauty and majesty of nature.
Deborah Jay
That would be a toss up between Han Solo and Princess Leiah (who doesn't love those lines - "I love you," "I know"?) and Mr and Mrs Smith (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) in the film of that name. I love their professionalism and dedication to their work, even when it means trying to kill each other!
Deborah Jay
The sequel to THE PRINCE'S MAN, which I conceived as a trilogy, but seems to be growing beyond that! The current work will be a full length novel, THE PRINCE'S SON, followed by a novella which will run concurrently, but showcase another set of characters - THE PRINCE'S NEPHEW. After that will be the wrap up, THE PRINCE'S HEIR, which I hope will only be one novel, but who knows - they seem to keep growing!
Deborah Jay
That depends on the connection between mind and hand, and for me, that's creativity. Call it 'muse' if you will - if it's present, the only restriction on speed is how fast I can type. If it isn't, it's like wading through treacle.
Deborah Jay
Right now, I'd say it's too slow. Back in the days when authors were expected to produce one book a year, no problem. Now readers expect books faster than that, and I just can't do it. I've tried, believe me, but my creative clock seems set to come up with all the ideas I need for a novel over a one year period, and it's not showing any signs of speeding up.
Deborah Jay
Read, read, write and read.
You need to read extensively until you are sure which genre you want to write in, and then study how good books are constructed, and figure out where the less good books are failing.
You also need to write - you will only improve with practice. Words on screen, on paper, on the back of your cheque book - it doesn't matter, get that practice in, and learn as much as you can about grammar and correct sentence/paragraph construction as you can. While you will probably need an editor, the less you provide for them to fix, the less money you will have to pay out up front before you are at a publishable standard.
And finally, don't publish too soon. Have your work critiqued, beta read, edited, and then polish, polish, polish before you send your baby out into the big wide, cruel world.
You need to read extensively until you are sure which genre you want to write in, and then study how good books are constructed, and figure out where the less good books are failing.
You also need to write - you will only improve with practice. Words on screen, on paper, on the back of your cheque book - it doesn't matter, get that practice in, and learn as much as you can about grammar and correct sentence/paragraph construction as you can. While you will probably need an editor, the less you provide for them to fix, the less money you will have to pay out up front before you are at a publishable standard.
And finally, don't publish too soon. Have your work critiqued, beta read, edited, and then polish, polish, polish before you send your baby out into the big wide, cruel world.
Deborah Jay
Being my own boss!
I've worked for myself for many years, building my own businesses - horse training, riding and judging, and freelance writing for magazines and writing and selling books - and I don't think I would be very employable, I have too many of my own opinions on how things should be done.
I've worked for myself for many years, building my own businesses - horse training, riding and judging, and freelance writing for magazines and writing and selling books - and I don't think I would be very employable, I have too many of my own opinions on how things should be done.
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