Welcome all.
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing A.J Griffiths-Jones author of
Prisoner 4374
Prisoner 4374
Hi A.J , thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I'm 51 & live in a small town in Shropshire, UK. I grew up in Shrewsbury.I'm married but don't have children, instead we have a large & very naughty white cat. After leaving school, I went to college in London & lived there for ten years. In 2003 I moved to China with my future husband & we lived there very happily for over a decade. While over there, I worked as Language Training Manager for a large American bank & was responsible for the needs of over 3,000 staff. We've been back in England for four years now & since returning I'm writing full-time, having six books published in the last 2.5 years.
I'm 51 & live in a small town in Shropshire, UK. I grew up in Shrewsbury.I'm married but don't have children, instead we have a large & very naughty white cat. After leaving school, I went to college in London & lived there for ten years. In 2003 I moved to China with my future husband & we lived there very happily for over a decade. While over there, I worked as Language Training Manager for a large American bank & was responsible for the needs of over 3,000 staff. We've been back in England for four years now & since returning I'm writing full-time, having six books published in the last 2.5 years.
Do you aim for a set amount of words \ pages per day?
I aim for a minimum of 2,500 words per day when I'm writing, but some days I need to do research too which takes up a lot of time. In general, I alternate my writing/research days and it works well.
I aim for a minimum of 2,500 words per day when I'm writing, but some days I need to do research too which takes up a lot of time. In general, I alternate my writing/research days and it works well.
Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
I write my notes longhand if it's a non-fiction book but fiction goes straight onto the computer. I also have a 'character' board in my study & on there I put pictures of the scene I'm writing about, characters likes/dislikes & any key moments in the plot.
I write my notes longhand if it's a non-fiction book but fiction goes straight onto the computer. I also have a 'character' board in my study & on there I put pictures of the scene I'm writing about, characters likes/dislikes & any key moments in the plot.
Where do the your ideas come from ?
My ideas come from absolutely everywhere! It can be a dream, something I've witnessed, an overheard conversation, anything at all. I've got a vivid imagination & my head always seems to be full of new ideas. I currently have ideas for another 29 books!
My ideas come from absolutely everywhere! It can be a dream, something I've witnessed, an overheard conversation, anything at all. I've got a vivid imagination & my head always seems to be full of new ideas. I currently have ideas for another 29 books!
How do you think you’ve evolved creatively ?
If I'm honest, I don't think I'm anywhere near my true potential yet. I'm learning to listen to my readers, both positive & negative comments, and I'm trying different genres to see where my creative ability can work best. Writing is a continual learning curve & I'm happy to go with the flow.
If I'm honest, I don't think I'm anywhere near my true potential yet. I'm learning to listen to my readers, both positive & negative comments, and I'm trying different genres to see where my creative ability can work best. Writing is a continual learning curve & I'm happy to go with the flow.
What is the hardest thing about writing ?
The hardest thing for me is staying focussed. Authors have to do do much promotion, interviews, website updates etc, so some days I get overloaded with other things & can't concentrate on the thing I'm supposed to be doing, which is writing books.
The hardest thing for me is staying focussed. Authors have to do do much promotion, interviews, website updates etc, so some days I get overloaded with other things & can't concentrate on the thing I'm supposed to be doing, which is writing books.
Do you ever get writer’s block ? and if you do is there any tips that you use which could help others through their dreaded writer’s block.
I think I'm one of the lucky few who never suffer writer's block. By alternating my writing with research, I can start each day with a fresh eye & I'm always excited about switching projects. I set myself achievable goals & each time I finish a book I take a little break, either a trip overseas or a spa weekend. That gives me time to refuel & get my mindset ready for the next task.
Can you tell us about the cover's and how they came about.
The cover for my first book, 'Prisoner 4374' is made up of the actual prison files belonging to my subject, Dr. Thomas Neill Cream. The five mystery books that followed are quite unique, the covers are vibrant & enticing.
The cover for my first book, 'Prisoner 4374' is made up of the actual prison files belonging to my subject, Dr. Thomas Neill Cream. The five mystery books that followed are quite unique, the covers are vibrant & enticing.
Who designs your book covers ?
My cousin, Antony Caswell, constructed my first cover as he's a talented graphic designer. The others were taken from original paintings by my aunt, Sylvia Caswell, who's an amazing artist. When I was half way through writing 'The Villagers', I saw an amazing canvas that my aunt was working on & asked if I could use it for the cover. She added a distant village in the background & the rest is history. Since, she has produced three more covers specially for me.
My cousin, Antony Caswell, constructed my first cover as he's a talented graphic designer. The others were taken from original paintings by my aunt, Sylvia Caswell, who's an amazing artist. When I was half way through writing 'The Villagers', I saw an amazing canvas that my aunt was working on & asked if I could use it for the cover. She added a distant village in the background & the rest is history. Since, she has produced three more covers specially for me.
Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
I think it's sometimes necessary to give books to reviewers and for competitions but I don't subscribe to free Kindle offers. I don't mind reducing my books to 99p/$1.30 for promotions occasionally but a lot of blood, sweat & tears goes into a book and I think authors work too hard to give books away for free.
I think it's sometimes necessary to give books to reviewers and for competitions but I don't subscribe to free Kindle offers. I don't mind reducing my books to 99p/$1.30 for promotions occasionally but a lot of blood, sweat & tears goes into a book and I think authors work too hard to give books away for free.
What is your favourite positive saying?
My favourite saying is 'Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.' Tomorrow never comes & that 'To Do' list will get out of control unless things are tackled head on.
My favourite saying is 'Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.' Tomorrow never comes & that 'To Do' list will get out of control unless things are tackled head on.
Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
In five years time I'd like to have at least 20 books under my belt and hopefully a movie deal. I believe that I have a bestseller lurking somewhere in my head, I just need to pull it out.I'm also planning to be living somewhere warmer by then!
In five years time I'd like to have at least 20 books under my belt and hopefully a movie deal. I believe that I have a bestseller lurking somewhere in my head, I just need to pull it out.I'm also planning to be living somewhere warmer by then!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I'd tell my younger self to stop worrying about what other people think. I would gave been writing years ago if only I'd listened to my own instincts & not what was expected of me.
I'd tell my younger self to stop worrying about what other people think. I would gave been writing years ago if only I'd listened to my own instincts & not what was expected of me.
If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
I would love to have written 'Moby Dick'. I love reading about adventure on the high seas & this is the ultimate book for that genre. Plus it's historical, which is another one of my passions, with so many interesting characters.
I would love to have written 'Moby Dick'. I love reading about adventure on the high seas & this is the ultimate book for that genre. Plus it's historical, which is another one of my passions, with so many interesting characters.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
I would naturally say believe in yourself. There is a reader market for everyone. I would also say track down publishers who specialise in your genre & don't pay money upfront to get your books published. If you've written a good book, an editor should recognise that & take a chance on you.
I would naturally say believe in yourself. There is a reader market for everyone. I would also say track down publishers who specialise in your genre & don't pay money upfront to get your books published. If you've written a good book, an editor should recognise that & take a chance on you.
Where do you see publishing going in the future?
I think more & more authors are veering towards 'Indie' publishers as there is more freedom & usually a very good relationship with other authors under the same company. Bigger publishing houses take a bigger percentage of the royalties & expectstions /deadlines are tighter.
I think more & more authors are veering towards 'Indie' publishers as there is more freedom & usually a very good relationship with other authors under the same company. Bigger publishing houses take a bigger percentage of the royalties & expectstions /deadlines are tighter.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
I'd just like to say thanks. It's because of websites like yours & the readers that join that emerging authors are getting exposure. Keep up the good work!
I'd just like to say thanks. It's because of websites like yours & the readers that join that emerging authors are getting exposure. Keep up the good work!
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
You can find my website at www.ajwriter.simplesite.com
You can find my website at www.ajwriter.simplesite.com
I'm on Twitter @ajauthor66
Facebook under A.j.Griffiths-Jones author page & the group 'We love AJs Award Winning Books'
Thank you very much A.J for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
