I am delighted that Jack Croxall is joining me on my blog today for his Blog Tour. Jack's latest book - Wye - was published on 2nd June 2015.
What inspired you to write books in the first place?
Dinosaurs! When I was younger, I was forever making little
books and magazines about dinosaurs. I used to draw them fighting each other
(lots of gore, I was seven) and then write little stories full of dino-facts
about who won. Much later I got into Philip Pullman’s novels and decided I
wanted to start writing again, this time with a little bit less blood and guts!
Where do your ideas come from?
I honestly think my subconscious must be forever thinking of ideas and pitching them to my conscious, because sometimes a premise will just pop into my head. Most of the time they’re pretty rubbish to be honest (goldfish vs. time travelling aliens, anybody?!) but just occasionally I get something good and run with it.
I honestly think my subconscious must be forever thinking of ideas and pitching them to my conscious, because sometimes a premise will just pop into my head. Most of the time they’re pretty rubbish to be honest (goldfish vs. time travelling aliens, anybody?!) but just occasionally I get something good and run with it.
Do your personal experiences influence your writing? If so, how?
I think everyone’s do in some way or another. My experiences of growing up in the countryside are completely apparent in Wye for example, and I think my younger self’s thirst for bigger things comes across in Tethers.
I think everyone’s do in some way or another. My experiences of growing up in the countryside are completely apparent in Wye for example, and I think my younger self’s thirst for bigger things comes across in Tethers.
Describe your writing style in 10 words or less?
Succinct.
Succinct.
Do you have any strange writing habits?
Yep! I often read my characters lines aloud and then try to act out how they’re saying them. I do this whenever I want to write about how a character delivers their dialogue. It’s fine if the character is a young man, say, or someone about my height and build. But if the character is a very young girl for example, or even an animal, things can get weird! I really do dread the day someone sees me doing it without any context!
Yep! I often read my characters lines aloud and then try to act out how they’re saying them. I do this whenever I want to write about how a character delivers their dialogue. It’s fine if the character is a young man, say, or someone about my height and build. But if the character is a very young girl for example, or even an animal, things can get weird! I really do dread the day someone sees me doing it without any context!
Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you plot out the whole book before you start or just start writing and see where it leads you?
I like to have a vague story plan made up of bullet points, but how I (and the characters) get from bullet point to bullet point is pure winging it.
I like to have a vague story plan made up of bullet points, but how I (and the characters) get from bullet point to bullet point is pure winging it.
What do you consider to be the hardest part of your writing?
Definitely the time it takes. I have this terrible urge to show the world what I’ve done well before I should, even before a particular story has an ending. I’m getting better at quelling that urge though, at least I hope I am ...
Definitely the time it takes. I have this terrible urge to show the world what I’ve done well before I should, even before a particular story has an ending. I’m getting better at quelling that urge though, at least I hope I am ...
What's the most interesting place that you have visited when researching one of your books? And what's the strangest?
Both the most interesting and strangest places were all the abandoned, decaying buildings I explored whilst writing Wye. That odd mix of plant life, rust and crumbling bricks is really eerie, and a real reminder that nature is just waiting for an opportunity to take our civilisation back. Buildings full of old junk were particularly creepy because you could see the remnants of bygone lives discarded and forgotten. Old books, videos, pictures, even cars; they really do create the most unsettling sensations.
Both the most interesting and strangest places were all the abandoned, decaying buildings I explored whilst writing Wye. That odd mix of plant life, rust and crumbling bricks is really eerie, and a real reminder that nature is just waiting for an opportunity to take our civilisation back. Buildings full of old junk were particularly creepy because you could see the remnants of bygone lives discarded and forgotten. Old books, videos, pictures, even cars; they really do create the most unsettling sensations.
Do you read? If so, who are your favourite authors?
Of course! I’m pretty eclectic, I’ll read anything from crime to romance to sci-fi. I also tend to author hop quite drastically; it’s extremely rare that I read an author’s entire back catalogue, Philip Pullman being the notable exception.
Of course! I’m pretty eclectic, I’ll read anything from crime to romance to sci-fi. I also tend to author hop quite drastically; it’s extremely rare that I read an author’s entire back catalogue, Philip Pullman being the notable exception.
If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?
Gosh, tough question! It would probably be something pretty boring, maybe 'My Never Ending To Do List' – a write a heck of a lot of those!
Gosh, tough question! It would probably be something pretty boring, maybe 'My Never Ending To Do List' – a write a heck of a lot of those!
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Read, read, read, read. Not just stuff from the genre you intend to write in, not just ‘good’ stuff either. Everything is helpful.
And lastly, why should people read Wye?
Because if you’ve made it this far through my quick fire interview, we’re probably going to get on!
Read, read, read, read. Not just stuff from the genre you intend to write in, not just ‘good’ stuff either. Everything is helpful.
And lastly, why should people read Wye?
Because if you’ve made it this far through my quick fire interview, we’re probably going to get on!
About Jack Croxall
Find Jack Croxall on his blog www.jackcroxall.co.uk and on Twitter - @JackCroxall
Originally trained as an environmental scientist, Jack Croxall soon discovered a life in the lab wasn't for him. He started writing for student publications at university and writing quickly became his passion. He's now an award-winning toiling away as a science/literature writer in between working on his books.
Wye
Sold by Amazon and published on 2 June 2015
Wye is losing hope. Sixteen and travelling through a rich wilderness with three other teenagers, she should be having the time of her life. And she might be if it weren't for the thing hunting her; the tireless creature desperate to tear her and her friends limb from limb.
Through the remembered lessons of her favourite writers, Wye has been trying to make sense of the cruel world she's found herself inhabiting. But it's not working. Wherever she turns, there are monsters and memories, both of them and poised to devour her if she can't find a way to live with herself. What follows is Wye's last chance at salvation, what follows is her journal.
I really must pinch some of your questions for my own interviews!
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