Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always written ever since childhood and of course I have always read books. I was quite a solitary child, so for that reason I was thrown back onto my own resources. Books – and later on, films – became my natural home and my window on the world. Eventually, I started writing my own stories. English was my best subject at school by far. As an adult I have always worked in publishing, so you might say I have lived among books and writing all my life. I have a handful of Berlitz travel guides to my name (all out of date now), but for the last few years I have been writing fiction. Four American Tales was published a couple of years ago, and my novel Farewell Olympus is out now. Today, I write because I feel I have to, it is part of me and it is something I can do reasonably well. And I see it as a personal contribution towards helping explain ourselves to ourselves, of widening our sympathies and understanding.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’ve just published my novel Farewell Olympus. It’s set in Paris and tells the story of a young man named Howard, whose ambitions for the sweet life are thrown into chaos by the unexpected arrival of his half-brother Eugene, whom he finds waiting for him on his doorstep. I’ve always like the idea of twins and opposites and how conflict can contain affection, even love, so that must have been some of my inspiration. Generally, however, like most writers, inspiration comes via hard work and unfolds day by day. I had the idea of someone turning up and ruining everything, and I quickly thought of Paris for some reason, so I wrote a few pages and that led me onwards and upwards to Olympus. There are elements of mystery and danger in the story that I had a lot of fun making ridiculous or farcical. It’s a book very close to my heart and, I believe, the best thing I have written so far.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write with a goose quill dipped in snake venom.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book I’ve ever read has influenced me in some way. I think books are like experiences: we can’t recall everything that’s ever happened to us, but all of it made us what we are today. Authors I admire include Dickens, Vidal, Capote – there are hundreds.
What are you working on now?
Promoting Farewell Olympus is taking up all my time at present, but I am nourishing the idea for another novel about a stranger who comes to live in a small town and sets off conflicting reactions. That’s about as far as I’ve got! It takes me ages to develop an idea.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I can’t say I have one, so I hope Awesome Gang will do the trick! So far, nothing has been worth the effort. Perhaps it’s more of a cumulative thing. I’ve left my profile and books all over the Internet, so one day maybe someone will think to look at what I do. Social media have been extremely disappointing. It’s hard when you don’t write genre: I know it’s hard when you do write genre, but when your work is not easily categorizable people don’t look for it. I write reviews on my website, something I enjoy doing. That has brought me a little recognition, but not anything that has translated into sales. It’s a marathon …
Do you have any advice for new authors?
It’s a marathon … Be true to your vision. Cooperate with other writers. Help others. Listen to advice but make up your own mind.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
See above.
What are you reading now?
The proof copy of the paperback to Farewell Olympus. My goodness it’s a cracking read!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a backlog of unpublished novels I really should get around to publishing. Then I’d like to write more novels.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Wine of Solitude by Irene Nemirovsky; War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy; Lincoln by Gore Vidal; O Pioneers by Willa Cather.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jack Messenger Website
Jack Messenger Amazon Profile
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