Ask the Author: John Matsui
Answered Questions (7)
John Matsui
Hi Mark,
That specific writing convention came after a bit of thinking, rewriting and a good deal of advice from seasoned fiction writers. It also marks my literary leap from journalist to novelist. As a newshound, I tended to tell my stories in a linear way.
My first draft of Gravity Games followed that pattern and that left the MC and his sidekick unintroduced until Chapter 3 - a real no-no I discovered.
I thought I had to provide the background as I introduced them. The result? The action got pushed back three chapters.
Instead, I introduced action and the main characters simultaneously with hints of something odd happening - Nate the Nose sensing murder with no explanation how he could sniff out a body that wasn't yet cold and Bonnie coming to the rescue with no initial explanation how and why she did this.
From reader feedback, it worked. They were curious to understand how my MC could do what he did.
The background then naturally rolled out in bits and pieces as the story unfolded. When an appropriate question or topic arose, I triggered another tid-bit of the history.
For instance, when Nathan and Bonnie are served horrible food at FBI headquarters , it provides an opportunity to talk about food – good and bad – a segue to a conversation how Nathan became a world-renowned chef and wine expert.
That specific writing convention came after a bit of thinking, rewriting and a good deal of advice from seasoned fiction writers. It also marks my literary leap from journalist to novelist. As a newshound, I tended to tell my stories in a linear way.
My first draft of Gravity Games followed that pattern and that left the MC and his sidekick unintroduced until Chapter 3 - a real no-no I discovered.
I thought I had to provide the background as I introduced them. The result? The action got pushed back three chapters.
Instead, I introduced action and the main characters simultaneously with hints of something odd happening - Nate the Nose sensing murder with no explanation how he could sniff out a body that wasn't yet cold and Bonnie coming to the rescue with no initial explanation how and why she did this.
From reader feedback, it worked. They were curious to understand how my MC could do what he did.
The background then naturally rolled out in bits and pieces as the story unfolded. When an appropriate question or topic arose, I triggered another tid-bit of the history.
For instance, when Nathan and Bonnie are served horrible food at FBI headquarters , it provides an opportunity to talk about food – good and bad – a segue to a conversation how Nathan became a world-renowned chef and wine expert.
John Matsui
I have several writing projects on the go at any one time so if I'm stuck on one, I will move to the next work. Occasionally, I'll paint one of my characters into a corner that I hadn't fully thought out. If there's no immediate solution, I'll just think hard about it and set it aside. Within a day or two at most the answer pops into my head but usually at the most inopportune moment, in heavy highway traffic or 3 in the morning.
John Matsui
Freedom. I feel a lot better about my personal problems when my heroes save the world in my novels.
John Matsui
I am an aspiring writer. I guess I would say, start writing. A friend who is an accomplished author told me that 30 years ago. I was just a little slow on the uptake.
John Matsui
I've just completed Gravity Games and I'm looking for a publisher. I'm currently writing the follow-up to Late Bite. Its working title is The Spetsnaz and takes place immediately after the conclusion of Late Bite.
John Matsui
I've been a journalist and business writer/consultant my entire adult life. I was inspired to write fiction when a few friends of mine started writing fiction.
John Matsui
I saw John Stewart of the Daily Show lampooning a political commentator by making vampire faces and snarls. I thought it might be interesting to have a real vampire as the host of a late night talk show. Secondly, if the Kardashians and Mayor Rob Ford can be famous, how famous would a real vampire become?
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