Ask the Author: James P. Sumner
Answered Questions (12)
James P. Sumner
Hi Samuel,
Thank you for your question!
For me, a story told in the first person lives or dies on the strength of the character. The story, in a way, is secondary to the protagonist. Because events in the novel unfold in real time, through the eyes of your main character, you need to develop a strong voice for your hero. The story is told not through narrative, but through inner dialogue and conversation. If the reader isn't invested in your character, they won't care what that character does.
It has its pros and cons compared to the more typical third person perspective, but in my opinion, where it limits a more broader storytelling experience, it provides the reader with a much deeper connection to the character, which, going back to my earlier point, is important because they are what drives the story. Knowing how your character's mind works, how they think, why they make the decisions they make... it makes them more realistic, more accessible and easier to relate to. As a reader, I prefer that over long-winded, scene-setting narrative, so as a writer, I tried to make it a more engaging experience, so the reader felt as if they were ducking bullets alongside Adrian Hell.
Thank you for your question!
For me, a story told in the first person lives or dies on the strength of the character. The story, in a way, is secondary to the protagonist. Because events in the novel unfold in real time, through the eyes of your main character, you need to develop a strong voice for your hero. The story is told not through narrative, but through inner dialogue and conversation. If the reader isn't invested in your character, they won't care what that character does.
It has its pros and cons compared to the more typical third person perspective, but in my opinion, where it limits a more broader storytelling experience, it provides the reader with a much deeper connection to the character, which, going back to my earlier point, is important because they are what drives the story. Knowing how your character's mind works, how they think, why they make the decisions they make... it makes them more realistic, more accessible and easier to relate to. As a reader, I prefer that over long-winded, scene-setting narrative, so as a writer, I tried to make it a more engaging experience, so the reader felt as if they were ducking bullets alongside Adrian Hell.
James P. Sumner
Hi Samuel,
All seven of the Adrian Hell novels are available in paperback from Amazon.
Thanks
All seven of the Adrian Hell novels are available in paperback from Amazon.
Thanks
James P. Sumner
That's an awesome question!
I guess it's not a mystery, as such, but my journey from when I first started out writing, to where I am now, is something I've thought about sharing more than once. I've made mistakes along the way, and have also learned many things about what I do that might help aspiring authors.
Who knows, I might branch out into non-fiction one day.
I guess it's not a mystery, as such, but my journey from when I first started out writing, to where I am now, is something I've thought about sharing more than once. I've made mistakes along the way, and have also learned many things about what I do that might help aspiring authors.
Who knows, I might branch out into non-fiction one day.
James P. Sumner
Thanks for the question!
My favourite fictional couple....?
Has to be Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
What do you mean, they're real? Are you kidding me?
My favourite fictional couple....?
Has to be Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
What do you mean, they're real? Are you kidding me?
James P. Sumner
Hi Almney,
Thanks for your question! A Hero of War is the flashback introduction to the character, which I recently re-released and expanded from 66 pages to 124 pages.
It's separate from the main series, and will probably appeal to readers in different ways. If you're familiar with the series already, then reading this will give you an insight into Adrian and also serve to explain why he says/does some of things you've seen him see and do already.
But if you're new to the series, it will be a nice introduction to a character you hopefully want to read more of, which would lead you nicely into True Conviction.
I would definitely read Deadly Intent and the first GlobaTech book before A Necessary Kill, as those three novels collectively form a larger storyline. But in terms of when's best to read A Hero of War, it's entirely up to you.
Hope that helps!
JPS
Thanks for your question! A Hero of War is the flashback introduction to the character, which I recently re-released and expanded from 66 pages to 124 pages.
It's separate from the main series, and will probably appeal to readers in different ways. If you're familiar with the series already, then reading this will give you an insight into Adrian and also serve to explain why he says/does some of things you've seen him see and do already.
But if you're new to the series, it will be a nice introduction to a character you hopefully want to read more of, which would lead you nicely into True Conviction.
I would definitely read Deadly Intent and the first GlobaTech book before A Necessary Kill, as those three novels collectively form a larger storyline. But in terms of when's best to read A Hero of War, it's entirely up to you.
Hope that helps!
JPS
James P. Sumner
Hi Joanie,
It's lovely to hear from you and thank you for your question!
I admit I have zero inside knowledge - I spend many hours researching the weaponry, technology and locations in my novels. I typically verify anything on at least three websites before I'll believe it to be accurate. I then give that information to Adrian Hell!
In terms of how the stories come about, I tend to look at it from the character's perspective. Because the series of novels focus on the life of Adrian Hell, they all loosely follow on from one another. The idea for Crucible took a few months to take shape and is a culmination of a few different ideas that I had.
About halfway through writing any book, I start to think, what comes next? What's the next logical step to take if you were in Adrian's shoes? I try and think of one big idea or plotline that would suit the character, then tame it a little and expand it and find the believable step for Adrian to take that will link the previous book into the next one. I find inspiration in everything. For example, I woke up at 3am one night from a weird dream - the events of which, after some tweaking, formed the storyline for my second book!
I'm currently working on the final draft of the fourth book, which I started planning not long after I started the third one. I plan ahead so I can then guide my current book so to fit in with my idea for the next step in the series.
I find using spreadsheets to be particularly useful when planning a story, as they help me manage the timeline and the events in the book to come.
I hope I've answered your question and I really hope you enjoy my books.
Thanks for getting in touch!
JPS
It's lovely to hear from you and thank you for your question!
I admit I have zero inside knowledge - I spend many hours researching the weaponry, technology and locations in my novels. I typically verify anything on at least three websites before I'll believe it to be accurate. I then give that information to Adrian Hell!
In terms of how the stories come about, I tend to look at it from the character's perspective. Because the series of novels focus on the life of Adrian Hell, they all loosely follow on from one another. The idea for Crucible took a few months to take shape and is a culmination of a few different ideas that I had.
About halfway through writing any book, I start to think, what comes next? What's the next logical step to take if you were in Adrian's shoes? I try and think of one big idea or plotline that would suit the character, then tame it a little and expand it and find the believable step for Adrian to take that will link the previous book into the next one. I find inspiration in everything. For example, I woke up at 3am one night from a weird dream - the events of which, after some tweaking, formed the storyline for my second book!
I'm currently working on the final draft of the fourth book, which I started planning not long after I started the third one. I plan ahead so I can then guide my current book so to fit in with my idea for the next step in the series.
I find using spreadsheets to be particularly useful when planning a story, as they help me manage the timeline and the events in the book to come.
I hope I've answered your question and I really hope you enjoy my books.
Thanks for getting in touch!
JPS
James P. Sumner
Hi, thanks for your question.
From what experience I have, there are three tips I would give any aspiring author:
Research:
Especially if you're an independent author with little-to-no budget (like me). There are lots of books and blogs available online to help you write, format and market your books. Read them all and pick out the bits that make sense to you and your book.
Keep writing:
Write down everything, every idea, every sentence, every quote that comes into your head. Get your basic idea and let yourself run crazy with it and build on it from there. You'll find a style and a voice that's comfortable for you to work with.
Finally, be patient:
This is what I struggle with the most, as I just want to blurt my finished novel out onto the page, but take your time. Writing a book is a long process. First, get your bare-bones story out onto the page... then, re-read and add to it... then re-read and edit it, then re-read and format it, then re-read and make sure it makes sense... I must've read my first book cover-to-cover 15 times before I published it. It takes longer to edit the books than it does to write them, but patience pays off in the long run, I promise.
From what experience I have, there are three tips I would give any aspiring author:
Research:
Especially if you're an independent author with little-to-no budget (like me). There are lots of books and blogs available online to help you write, format and market your books. Read them all and pick out the bits that make sense to you and your book.
Keep writing:
Write down everything, every idea, every sentence, every quote that comes into your head. Get your basic idea and let yourself run crazy with it and build on it from there. You'll find a style and a voice that's comfortable for you to work with.
Finally, be patient:
This is what I struggle with the most, as I just want to blurt my finished novel out onto the page, but take your time. Writing a book is a long process. First, get your bare-bones story out onto the page... then, re-read and add to it... then re-read and edit it, then re-read and format it, then re-read and make sure it makes sense... I must've read my first book cover-to-cover 15 times before I published it. It takes longer to edit the books than it does to write them, but patience pays off in the long run, I promise.
James P. Sumner
Hi, thanks for your question.
I've been writing for just over a year, and in that time I've finished three novels and have another two planned. I've been quite fortunate so far in my writing career to not have really experienced writer's block. I'm sure it will come in time!!
I've been writing for just over a year, and in that time I've finished three novels and have another two planned. I've been quite fortunate so far in my writing career to not have really experienced writer's block. I'm sure it will come in time!!
James P. Sumner
Hi, thanks for your question.
I tend to have one really big idea, then split it down into individual books. So, in my upcoming third book, the events my character goes through were very much set up during the first two books, with the intention always being that he'd go on this particular journey.
When I sat down to look at the next couple of books, I started with a blank page and literally asked myself, What next? I just play around with different ideas until things take shape and build on it from there.
I tend to have one really big idea, then split it down into individual books. So, in my upcoming third book, the events my character goes through were very much set up during the first two books, with the intention always being that he'd go on this particular journey.
When I sat down to look at the next couple of books, I started with a blank page and literally asked myself, What next? I just play around with different ideas until things take shape and build on it from there.
James P. Sumner
Hi, thanks for your question.
Sometimes when I read a book, I think, I'd love to see this, or I think it's missing that... the best thing about being a writer, for me, is that I get to make the exact book that I want. I get to tell people a story and, hopefully, give people some escapism and enjoyment. It doesn't get much better than that.
Sometimes when I read a book, I think, I'd love to see this, or I think it's missing that... the best thing about being a writer, for me, is that I get to make the exact book that I want. I get to tell people a story and, hopefully, give people some escapism and enjoyment. It doesn't get much better than that.
James P. Sumner
Hi, thanks for your question.
I'm currently in the last stages of editing the third Adrian Hell book, entitled "One Last Bullet", as well as planning both the fourth AH book and a new series. Watch this space!!
I'm currently in the last stages of editing the third Adrian Hell book, entitled "One Last Bullet", as well as planning both the fourth AH book and a new series. Watch this space!!
James P. Sumner
Hi, thanks for your question.
I was inspired to write by reading. I started reading the Donovan Creed series by John Locke, and found out he was a self-made millionaire as an independent author. I'd toyed with the idea of writing a book for years, and after I read him, I thought, I can do this! That was almost two years ago and I haven't stopped since.
I was inspired to write by reading. I started reading the Donovan Creed series by John Locke, and found out he was a self-made millionaire as an independent author. I'd toyed with the idea of writing a book for years, and after I read him, I thought, I can do this! That was almost two years ago and I haven't stopped since.
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