Ask the Author: John Lefevere
Answered Questions (4)
John Lefevere
Maybe not as much as you, but I'll definitely follow your successes. I've noticed that whenever I tell someone I've known for years (other attorneys, clients/ex-clients, neighbors, etc) that I'm now an author, they almost invariably say "Oh, another John Grisham. Are you going to write about courtrooms and lawyers" - to which my response is - Never! I want to write exciting adventure thrillers and historical mysteries, and in general keep away from describing trials, etc.
I did a lot of legal (published) writing when I was a tax attorney for a dozen years or so, as well as publishing a couple of articles when I was on Law Review and I do credit that experience with teaching me how to organize my thoughts and get them on paper. And, of course, my legal background helps immensely with copyright, contract and related issues. But I view this as a new and separate career.
I did a lot of legal (published) writing when I was a tax attorney for a dozen years or so, as well as publishing a couple of articles when I was on Law Review and I do credit that experience with teaching me how to organize my thoughts and get them on paper. And, of course, my legal background helps immensely with copyright, contract and related issues. But I view this as a new and separate career.
John Lefevere
Hi Joyce - I just received notice of this message today, so sorry for the delay. I am having a lot of problems with my Mac, not the least of which is overheating, so I'm staying offline until I can get to the nearest Apple Store, which is 90 miles away. Hope you were able to successfully make the purchase of BWA.
I found your name based on you being in one of the GR Groups, which I think was US Civil War Fiction (?). I was trying to find readers who might be interested in my latest novel, The Scimitar And The Snail - it is set in the Thousand Islands, NY and one of the story arc involves the protagonists trying to solve the murder of the Hermit of Maple Island a few months after the end of the Civil War. This was an actual murder and I've developed a fictional account of how it might relate to the Lincoln assassination conspiracy group. It's available on Amazon and also Smashwords - but apparently many of these GR Groups do not permit promotions of books, even if you are a member, so don't know where I'm going with this next.
I'm currently writing the next volume in the "A Boomer's Tale" series of which BWA is the first book. I am a native of "New Joisy" but have lived in VA for about 40 years so might be able to opine.
Sorry that I've got to cut it short, but I'm trying to avoid what I think would be a battery fire - more later when I get a new Mac sometime soon - thanks - John
I found your name based on you being in one of the GR Groups, which I think was US Civil War Fiction (?). I was trying to find readers who might be interested in my latest novel, The Scimitar And The Snail - it is set in the Thousand Islands, NY and one of the story arc involves the protagonists trying to solve the murder of the Hermit of Maple Island a few months after the end of the Civil War. This was an actual murder and I've developed a fictional account of how it might relate to the Lincoln assassination conspiracy group. It's available on Amazon and also Smashwords - but apparently many of these GR Groups do not permit promotions of books, even if you are a member, so don't know where I'm going with this next.
I'm currently writing the next volume in the "A Boomer's Tale" series of which BWA is the first book. I am a native of "New Joisy" but have lived in VA for about 40 years so might be able to opine.
Sorry that I've got to cut it short, but I'm trying to avoid what I think would be a battery fire - more later when I get a new Mac sometime soon - thanks - John
John Lefevere
I haven't really encountered writer's block as such. Perhaps this is because I tend to outline my novels and then work from them, subject to changing what doesn't work or what can be improved. For example, in my new novel, The Scimitar And The Snail, there is an extensive scene that originally ran about 9,000 or 10,000 words as a single chapter and involved a lot of action. Based on the word count, I decided to split it was too long and had to take a day or two to think about what to do (sort of writer's block). I turned it into two chapters and ultimately it took me two and half days to write them, but it came out very well. So sometimes "writer's block" can be a matter of stopping and thinking until you come up with a solution.
John Lefevere
Two fairly simple rules to follow. First, don't just sit at Starbucks or go to a party and tell everyone that you're going to be a writer someday - you have to actually write. Continuously. And improve as you go. You can't just watch golf on TV and tell yourself you could do better - you have to go to the course and play (and get lessons until you learn how to do it).
Second rule is advice given by the great 20th Century novelist, John D. MacDonald, who wrote the Travis McGee series and Cape Fear, among many others. When asked what the most important thing was for a writer to be successful, his answer (perhaps paraphrased) was "Story. Story. Damnit, story." You need to think of yourself as a storyteller, sitting by the fire, spinning a tale. What do you tell your reader/listener about the setting, characters, plot and so on? Incidentally, Travis McGee lives on, in a sense - I saw recently that Lee Child's Jack Reacher was inspired by the McGee character. Reacher's stories grab your attention and keep it until the end.
Second rule is advice given by the great 20th Century novelist, John D. MacDonald, who wrote the Travis McGee series and Cape Fear, among many others. When asked what the most important thing was for a writer to be successful, his answer (perhaps paraphrased) was "Story. Story. Damnit, story." You need to think of yourself as a storyteller, sitting by the fire, spinning a tale. What do you tell your reader/listener about the setting, characters, plot and so on? Incidentally, Travis McGee lives on, in a sense - I saw recently that Lee Child's Jack Reacher was inspired by the McGee character. Reacher's stories grab your attention and keep it until the end.
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