What is your name, where were you born and where
do you live now?
My name is Jonathan
Lee (published under M. Jonathan Lee), I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire
and remain there to this day.
Did you always want to
be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
After the glamour of
footballer and rock star, writer was next on the list. It became apparent
by the age of ten that I wasn't going to make it in the 'spotlight' vocation
choices!
When did you first
consider yourself as a "writer"?
Probably in the summer
of 2012, when my debut novel The Radio was shortlisted in The
Novel Prize for new authors. This was the first time that an independent
panel of judges from the industry acknowledged my work and made me feel that I
could actually write.
Did it take a long
time to get your first book published?
Yes. It was finished
at the end of 2011, and I got the usual rejections for a good eight months
before entering the Novel Prize. It was finally published at the end of
April 2013.
Do you work another
job as well as your writing work?
I do. Sadly I have a
normal office job, but I'm hoping that maybe one day I can sell enough books to
make a living doing what I love best.
What is the name of
your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what
would you say?
My latest book is The
Radio. In twenty words, hmm...
A black comedy about a
henpecked man who lost his son to suicide. Amusing and poignant with a twist.
Semi-autobiographical.
How long does it
usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing
it?
If I had the
time actually just sit and write for a few hours every day, I'd say six
months. However due to work, children and promotion of The Radio, the
timescale is stretched out much much more.
Do you have plans for
a new book? Is this book part of a series?
The Radio ends with a
twist, and is part of a trilogy. At the moment however, I am writing The Page,
a thriller and another with a twist. The story goes...
Following a tragic car
accident, Michael Sewell is alone and lost for the first time. The loss of his
wife, Margaret after thirty years of marriage has left a hole far greater than
Michael could have imagined.
Persuaded to go on
holiday alone for the first time since this accident, by his daughter Jane, a
page blown from a book crosses the pool and sticks to his chest.
The words from the
page resonate with Michael, describing in detail the recent events in his own
life.
Now, Michael must
delve into his past and face his future, taking him and his family on a
horrifying and tragic journey toward the truth.
What genre would you
place your books into? [What made you decide to write that genre of
book?]
Generally family based
observational contemporary fiction, if there is such a genre! I love looking
into the workings of family life. I like to add some wit and humour, because
generally in life humour greets us at every corner.
Where do you get your
book plot ideas from?What/Who is your inspiration?
Inspiration comes
every day, it can be a chance meeting, or just seeing somebody walking their
dog. I love to imagine who they are, where they are going and what the day
holds for them. The words 'what if' are always at the forefront of my mind,
then I just let my imagination run.
Do you have a certain
routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I do. I need it to be
completely silent. No sound whatsoever and I feel better when I know nobody
else is in the house either! Not much to ask, eh?
Do you gift books to
readers to do reviews? [Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?]
Yes, I am always
interested in the views of people who read lots of books and I am happy to
forward review copies for this purpose. Unfortunately, I do tend to read
all reviews - though I have learned from life that everyone cannot possibly
like the same thing and thus totally respect the views of those who didn't take
to The Radio.
Are character names
and place names decided after their creation? or do you pick a character/place
name and then invent them?
No, they are decided
on creation. I think of the character and who I want them to be and then
select a name which I think fits. In The Radio, a number of
the character's names changed right up to the final draft!
Do you decide on
character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or
as you go along?
I have a very basic
idea of how they are in my mind (good, bad, selfish, negative), but their
traits and actions develop organically whilst writing.
Do you basic plot/plan
for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the
writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I have one or two
sentences which describe the entire story from start to finish. I know in my
mind the traits of the key protagonists, the rest simply just flows. When I
write, I picture a film of the action taking place in my mind. I can feel
and smell and see everything around me and simply write how I visualise that to
be, how it would be if I were an invisible spectator to the events.
Have you ever based
characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to
you?
Absolutely. All the
characters in my books are somewhat exaggerated traits taken from observations
of people I have met during my own life. The Radio is somewhat
semi-autobiographical as it deals with suicide, something that sadly I lost my
brother to a number of years ago.
Is there a certain
Author that influenced you in writing?
Stephen King, Roald Dahl and Iain Banks
have historically been my favourites. Latterly, I have been fortunate to have
been compared to two of my more recent favourites, Mark Haddon and Nick
Hornby.
Which format of book
do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
Always, always, always
paperback.
What is your favourite
book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
Roald Dahl's
Unexpected Tales collections. Absolutely love stories with twists in
them, hence there being a huge twist in The Radio. I have read Roald
Dahl's collections more than twenty times, I would think.
What piece of advice
would you give to a new writer?
Treat writing like a job.
Book time periods in your diary to write. Stick to them rigidly whether or not
you feel like writing that day. Get all your ideas down, worry about editing
and how it flows at the end.
Where can readers
follow you?
All the below places!
Your Blog Details? www.jonathanleeauthor.com/blog
Your Website
? www.jonathanleeauthor.com
Your Facebook Page? http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17413205-the-radio
Your Goodreads Author Page? Jonathan Lee
Your Twitter Details? @j0n4th4n_
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