Ask the Author: John A. Connell
Answered Questions (7)
John A. Connell
Hello, David, thank you for asking. The third in the Mason Collins series is finished, but some issues have arisen that have caused a delay in its publication. I'm hoping those issues will be resolved soon. Meanwhile, I'm outlining number 4, and working on a new series simultaneously. I should be able to announce something this fall.
John A. Connell
I’ve been a WW2 buff since I was a kid. I’ve read tons of books about the strategies, the politics, the rise and fall of Nazi Germany, though it’s the personal accounts of the individual soldiers that are my favorites. I felt I knew a good deal about the years leading up to and during the war, but I had neglected one vital part of that incredible era: its aftermath. My previous notions of relative peace and order were turned upside down while I was researching the backstory of the antagonist in an earlier, now defunct, novel.
The Germans called the time just after the war Die Stunde Null, ‘The Zero Hour.’ Germany had been bombed back to the Middle Ages. Every major city and many towns and villages had sustained up to 90% damage. The entire infrastructure – railroads, bridges and industry – had been damaged or destroyed Up to 10% of the population had perished. Close to 10 million Displaced Persons—the people brought into Germany from every conquered country to work as domestic, agricultural or industrial slaves—along with the tens of thousands of POW and concentration camp survivors were all suddenly freed and making the difficult trek home or wandering the countryside. Needless to say, I found the history of postwar Germany so fascinating, so dramatic, that I had to write a thriller during this period.
The Germans called the time just after the war Die Stunde Null, ‘The Zero Hour.’ Germany had been bombed back to the Middle Ages. Every major city and many towns and villages had sustained up to 90% damage. The entire infrastructure – railroads, bridges and industry – had been damaged or destroyed Up to 10% of the population had perished. Close to 10 million Displaced Persons—the people brought into Germany from every conquered country to work as domestic, agricultural or industrial slaves—along with the tens of thousands of POW and concentration camp survivors were all suddenly freed and making the difficult trek home or wandering the countryside. Needless to say, I found the history of postwar Germany so fascinating, so dramatic, that I had to write a thriller during this period.
John A. Connell
The passion to write supplies the inspiration. I can't stay away from it. There were times in the distant past when I walked away from writing, especially when my film career demanded so much of my time and energy, but the urge, the need to write was too strong, and I always went back. I'm so glad I did!
John A. Connell
I'm currently working on the third novel in the Mason Collins series. The second in the series, SPOILS OF VICTORY, is finished and comes out February 2, 2016. I don't want to say too much about book three for now. Let's just say that he gets into some deep trouble once again.
John A. Connell
I'm more or less a "seat of my pants" kind of writer. I know the beginning of my story, a few vital plot points to hit along the way, and the ending, but the the rest I write as I go. That makes me the very first reader, in a sense, and there's nothing like imagining and living with the characters in a different time and place. There's nothing like being surprised or shocked, elated or saddened along with the characters.
John A. Connell
Actually, I haven't experienced classic writer's block. Every writer has their good days and bad days, where the writing seems to shine or reek of the most foul things on the planet, and I'm no different. On those days, when nothing seems to come out right, I may do research (since I write historical crime thrillers, there's always research!), or I do a brief outline of the coming pages to make sure I'm going in the right direction. There are thousands of things that go into creating a novel, so there's always something that can be done.
Another thing I've learned from some sage writers is to forgive myself for a bad writing day. Even if I think what I'm writing deserves a vigorous flush down the toilet I keep going. On those days I'll write myself a note of apology for what's ending up on the page, only to read it the next day and say, "Hey, that's not so bad after all."
Another thing I've learned from some sage writers is to forgive myself for a bad writing day. Even if I think what I'm writing deserves a vigorous flush down the toilet I keep going. On those days I'll write myself a note of apology for what's ending up on the page, only to read it the next day and say, "Hey, that's not so bad after all."
John A. Connell
Keep writing. Keep improving. Keep submitting. Perseverance is key. It took me ten years and close to a million words to write the book that would find an agent and land a publishing deal.
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