Tell us about your life, your struggles, your passion.
I have been writing for many years, ever since I received a leg injury and I was unable to walk. I had lost my job, had a wife and two young daughters to support and decided to buy a typewriter and take a writing course.
How long have you been writing and what inspired you to become a writer?
I've been writing since 1985. My previous job involved searching for missing children and so I wanted to write a book warning and educating children about the dangers of running away from parents in busy streets etc.
While choosing a name for your character, what aspects do you consider that determines what you finally call them?
I have learned not to use names of people I know, it causes too many problems. You start off okay with the name, but then you might want to change a character trait or two and it causes conflict in your head because the person's real-life characteristics are the opposite of what you're trying to describe. It's far easier to use 'fresh' names that have no ties or meaning to me personally.
Do authors in general and you in particular plan series beforehand or do they just happen?
I can't speak for other authors, but I know that my book Jay-Pea-Eyes aka Junior Private Investigators, would be a series. The same goes for Peter Challenge Time Surfer. The Jay-Pea-Eyes (JPIs) will have many mysteries and whodunits to investigate and Peter Challenge will visit many other planets and galaxies in his time - travelling adventures.
I don't plan these books as a series beforehand though, the next in the series will just form in my mind and I'll take it from there.
How do you choose which stories to tell?
Some of my books have a meaning, such as 'Santa Claus is a Zombie!' It's about Christmas and presents or gifts and tells a child that there is also a gift of 'giving' and not just receiving.
My eldest grandson, who is just 5 years old, is very ill and has an auto immune disease called Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. He has been in hospital for so many operations and tests, sometimes 3 times a week. I wanted to write a book for other parents, grandparents who need a book to read to any child going through the trauma of visiting a Hospital. It deals with the blood tests, urine samples etc., and meeting Doctors and Nurses.
Do you have a “reader” in mind while writing?
Most of the time I know in my mind who will enjoy a book that I'm about to write.
How do you get reviews? Which was the best review you ever got?
This is probably the hardest part. I offer free books in the hope that the person who downloads the book will then take a couple of minutes to write a review, but this doesn't always work. There's no easy way of getting reviews, but without them, most of us who are writing at the moment will not be able to keep on doing what we love - writing books. I hope your readers will always remember to take the time to leave a review - good or bad - it all helps the writer improve and assists other readers in their book choices.
What does the word “story” signifies for you?
A story can be any amount of words, written. imagined or told. They can be funny, happy or sad but, for me, I like to write children's stories that are positive, happy and funny, as kids will soon grow up and see a few sad things in their lives. At least I can give them a distraction from daily life; an imagination is a marvelous thing that can take a child, (and an adult for that matter) to wonderful places, if only for the time it takes to read the story.
Are you currently working on anything?
Because most grannies and granddads look after their grandkids these days, I wondered what the children would do if they found out their grandparents had gone into an old folks' home or retirement home?
I wanted to show the children that even when we are old we can still joke and have fun, so that was my most recent book that was published in 2020.
It's titled, 'where's my Granny gone?' and has received a review and 5 star award from Readers' Favorite.
Sadly our world has been turned upside down because of CoVid, and I thought this book would never see daylight, but it shows a positive, happy and light side to Nursing Homes that will show children their grandparents are well looked after in the Homes.
Do you have a special time or place for writing?
My wife and I look after our grandkids full-time, in fact, for more hours than a full-time job! But, we wouldn't want to be doing anything else - and they are my top critics! You can't get anyone more honest than a young child!
So, my writing is done as and when I get a chance, but there's so much to do besides writing. I realise now that the actual finished story really is the tip of the iceberg, there's the marketing, promotions, websites, blogs etc., etc.,
How do you promote your work? How will QuotesRain help you in your book promotion and sales, would you like to refer this platform to your author friends?
I have a great deal of sites that I use to advertise my books. I use Twitter, Facebook, promotion sites and last but not least - QuotesRain.
Mady Joshi of QuotesRain, together with his colleagues, tirelessly promote an author's work. I don't think I have ever seen another site quite like QuotesRain where they are in contact almost daily and extremely friendly and a pleasure to work with. I believe that their dedication and hard work will soon pay off and I want to be one of those authors who can say that I've been with QuotesRain from an early stage and success will follow for us all if we work hard and work together.
Would you like to share something with your readers and fans?
I would just like to say that my books are frequently discounted or free on some sites, so keep looking out for my tweets, facebook messages and check back here regularly for up to date info!
And finally - having been in teaching, training and a primary school governor, I would just ask you to encourage your children to read. It is good for their imagination and good for their mental health, not to mention it's also good for their education and job opportunities when they grow up. It's a 'win-win' all around! Take care, John
