Today's Interview is with Jennings Wright - Author of the Action / Adventure Novel Solomon's Throne - released in Juli 2012.
Jennings Wright's Debut Novel Solomon's Throne has a unique story and takes you to some wonderful places that you've probably never heard of before.
Thanks to a "crazy idea" called NaNoWriMo Jennings Wright got back into creative writing in 2011 and hasn't stopped since. She's written three novels and a screenplay, with more ideas on the drawing board.
Interview with Author Jennings Wright
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| Jennings Wright |
Jennings Wright: I wrote a lot as a child/youth, and did a lot of editing through high school and college. After college I worked in Manhattan Beach doing script doctoring for dialogue, and did product copy writing for a health products company. After I got married and had kids, I did business writing, editing, and taught creative writing to middle and high school kids (especially to "reluctant" writers, which was the most fun), but mostly just home schooled my own children. Last year I wrote a nonfiction book in May, and then did NaNoWriMo for the first time in November. The result was Solomon's Throne. Since then I've written a screenplay, a sequel to Solomon's Throne, and a Civil War romance, and will be starting a YA dystopian fantasy on August 1.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite book, and who or what are your writing influences?
I have always been a voracious reader! Early on it was Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, Harriet the Spy (oh, how I wanted to be Harriet!), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and all the other wonderful kids books. By my teens I was reading mysteries pretty much exclusively, especially the British ones: Dick Francis, Martha Grimes (she's American but her books are set in the UK), Elizabeth George, PD James. Lately I've been reading more thrillers, especially action adventure (James Rollins, Christopher Reich, Kathy Reichs, Steve Berry). But I also love Janet Evanovich, and Rick Riorden, and Alexander McCall Smith (the Mma Rmotswe books). And then my absolute favorites of all time: CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. So basically - a wide variety!
"...I get first drafts done in 30 days or less."
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I am a "project" writer (because I am a project person!), so I get first drafts done in 30 days or less. Generally I write 3-4000 words a day during that time, taking some days off and writing more other days. I like to get the entire first draft done in that month, then do a quick edit and send it to beta readers. After their feedback, I do a "word by word" edit. I try to do as much research as I can before starting, but because my "outline" is loose (at best) I always end up doing research during the writing process as well.
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
I write really clean first drafts. I don't know why/how, it just happens, and for that I'm really thankful. Because I think editing is the hardest part, and clean first drafts mean a lot less editing!
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I have always written in some form or other. I've journaled every day for the last twenty or more years. But to be "a writer" as a profession? Probably just in the last year and a half.
Jennings, please tell us a little about your debut novel "Solomon's Throne".
Solomon's Throne is an around the world treasure hunt featuring Rei and Gideon Quinn. They work for an art leasing company, and are drawn into the mystery when their boss, Luis Xavier, has a priceless family heirloom stolen. In trying to get it back, they uncover and even greater mystery, which stretches back hundreds of years. The book has a second story, of a Jesuit priest in the 1680s, and follows his adventures as he hides the clues that the Quinns eventually find. Of course, there are bad guys, a mysterious brotherhood who is also after the treasure. The chase leads them all from London, around the east coast of Africa, to the Middle East and on to India, following the Portuguese Spice Route. There are lots of interesting locations and a good dose of fun history, plus exciting action.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
I knew I wanted to write a treasure hunt for the November NaNo, and debated between a YA set in Beaufort, NC (home of Blackbeard the pirate) or something more global. Once i decided on the latter, I began reading through "World History for Dummies" (no lie!) looking for unusual historical facts and places. I came across a section on Persian history and a site called Ctesiphon, and that led to the whole rest of the story. I tend to get ideas from interesting locations first, which is a bit unusual. Sometimes the original location doesn't end up in the story, but it was a jumping off point in my research, which leads to other things.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
This novel is suitable for everyone, from teens through adult. Obviously, those who like action/adventure (which technically falls under "thriller") are my primary audience, but several of my beta readers had never read that genre, and loved the book. It's got a lot of history, great relationships, and mystery, so it has appealed to a broad audience so far. It's available on Amazon (Print and Kindle), CreateSpace (print) and Barnes & Noble (Nook).
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
The reviews from readers have been overwhelmingly positive. I sold a good many in the first week when it was first released, and those people (many ordered signed print copies or waited for the eBook versions, which were released this week) are just reading now. I've gotten a lot of "I didn't get anything done today because I was reading your book!" emails, which is always great.
How long did it take it to write the book?
I wrote the first draft in 23 days of writing, over about 26 calendar days. That was about 88,500 words. The editing, after getting feedback from beta readers, took another couple of weeks.
Please, tell us where you self-published the book.
The book appeared first on CreateSpace, then Amazon in the print version. The Kindle version came next, then Nook.
How smooth went the self-publishing process? Any issues? What are things to look for when self-publishing a book?
I had an amazing graphic design/formatting company helping me, so I had no problems at all with the self-publishing process. I think the most important thing when self-publishing (well, in any kind of publishing really) is the cover of your book. I buy a LOT of books online, and to be honest, I don't even read more about a book with a bad or unprofessional cover. You can get a very professional cover done for $100-200 - in my opinion, after spending so much time and energy on writing the book, is that too much to spend to make it look professional? The other thing is to make sure you've sought outside opinions in the form of beta readers before publishing.
Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
Yes, Streetlight Graphics. They were absolutely wonderful to work with. In fact, I'm scheduled to start working on the sequel to Solomon's Throne with them in late August.
Four Great Tips for Indie Authors.
Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
First, use beta readers. I know I've said it before, but I can't stress it enough. Find people who are willing not only to read your work, but to give you honest feedback. And tell them exactly what you want. For me, since I give them the "quick edit" copy, I tell them specifically not to point out grammatical or spelling errors. I really haven't edited for that yet when they get the manuscript. What I want to know is this: Do you believe the characters and their dialogue? Do you believe the story? Is there anything that made you have to reread a section to figure out what was going on, or where you just thought "No, that's stupid."? I don't want to spend a lot of time editing for grammar and typos and then end up deleting a whole scene.
Second, hire a graphic designer to do the cover. I'm a complete idiot with Photoshop, and even though I'm an artist, I couldn't possibly have come up with my cover. You wrote a "real" book - make sure it looks like one!
Third, consider a formatter for the interior of the book. Especially if you're going to have it in print as well as eBook. There are a lot of things that are esoteric to the layout, and particular to each company, that can cause your book to be held up in publishing or not come out looking professional. (For instance, margins in print formatting.)
Fourth, be prepared to do your own marketing. Most fiction writers are introverts. We're not big on tooting our own horn. But you've got to get on Twitter, have an author page on Facebook and Goodreads, have a website, have a blog, etc. I'm still working all that out, but I know it's the only way people are going to hear about my book other than word of mouth.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
The Hoard of the Doges is the sequel to Solomon's Throne, featuring the Quinns and pilot Mac McMillan. It is about plunder given to the Venetians during the 1st and 4th Crusades. It will be in publication in mid-September. I am doing the final edit on the Civil War romance now. An agent suggested I write it, so I'm going to be sending it to her. However, if she doesn't want to represent it, I'll be self publishing that one. Then, next week, I'll be starting a YA dystopian fantasy. In my family we're calling it "Where the Ducks Went" although that won't be the official title!
"...self publishing is the best deal for authors."
Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to have one of your next books to be traditionally published?
I am really sold on indie publishing for a lot of reasons, and went back and forth with Undaunted Love on whether to send it to the agent who suggested I write it. I finally decided to send it to her, but not query it if she didn't want to rep it. I think self publishing is the best deal for authors, and the wave of the future. Plus, I am a bit of a control freak, and I really like having control over things like my cover.
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I'm afraid there won't be many bookstores in 10 years. It's another dilemma. I bought my first Kindle because I travel a lot to Africa, and didn't want to haul the books with the weight restrictions. I LOVE "real" books… but I haven't bought a novel in real book format in probably two years. (I do buy cook books and art books and things like that.) It's just so much easier, and my family all shares a Kindle account so we can share books even when we're in different locations. So on the one hand, I hate that paper books are phasing out… On the other, I'm part of the reason!
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
My husband and I have owned a business for 20 years, but thanks to some changes we made in 2008, it's very much part time (and from home). I have a non-profit to Uganda, but that's also very part time, unless I'm there. And I only have one home schooled child left at home, and he's a high school senior, so I don't have to do much for him these days, either! So I guess you could say I basically write full time.
How can readers connect with you?
[See Links below]
Thank you so much for the Interview, Jennings.
About the Book Solomon's Throne:
The book takes the reader from London to Lisbon, then from Capetown South Africa up along the coast of east Africa, to the Middle East and India.
The present day plot is accompanied by the story of the Jesuit, so you learn a lot of history and geography and see some little known but very cool places along the way.
Filled with fast paced action and having broad appeal, Solomon’s Throne is an ingenious treasure hunt adventure that sweeps the reader around the globe in a race against time.
Read more about the book here >>> Book Feature: Solomon's Throne
or Click here to Read an Excerpt
Links to the Author and the Book
Link to Jennings Wright's Website
Connect with Jennings Wright on Twitter: @JenningsWright
Link to the eBook Solomon's Throne on Amazon with Excerpt
Link to the Paperback Solomon's Throne on Amazon
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