Interview with Australian Author – David William Jones
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
David – At school and for most of my working career I had little interest in writing or reading fiction. I was often missing from High School English classes especially on horse-racing days, It was only after a long career in the public service writing factual but stodgy reports that I began to develop an interest in story telling in all forms which has now developed into a passion.
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
David – I’ve always been fascinated by the power of speech. For many years that fascination has been with the power of the spoken word beginning with public speaking and theatre. More recently I began my journey with the written word through an anthology of short stories.
“Australian Authors” – What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?
David – Inspiration for my books comes from a number of different sources. Meeting interesting or quirky people, personal experiences, a comment or program on the media, or a remembered dream have all been inspirations generating my stories.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
David – Yes. I am working on a novel which has elements of historical fiction and fantasy. The first draft is completed with final editing, publication and marketing phases to be completed. It is inspired by my growing up in the magical gorge country on the edge of the New England Tableland of NSW and life in 1960s Australia.
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
David – My writing to date has been in short stories and historical fiction/fantasy. On my TO-DO list are some working titles in non-fiction relating to politics and society.
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
David – My reading to date has always been of printed books. I still find them easier to read, review and keep track the story or information. I will throw a copy of my current reading in the car so it’s readily available if a whim for a coffee etc. occurs. That said, I see the advantages of e-books in forms of cost, promotion and storage. They also provide wider access to different authors and genres. Any books I write would be in both print and e-book formats due to the pros and cons of both formats.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
David – Yes, I do start with a definite plot with a beginning, middle and end. My short stories often end with a learning and/or a challenge. My first novel began life as a short story. However, once on the writing trip, detours down different roads have been taken, resulting in additions and deletions from the initial story and a modified conclusion from the original prediction.
“Australian Authors” – Pen or type writer or computer?
David – As my schooling and even University were prior computers I got conditioned to writing in pen. Even now my writing always begins with pen and paper as my brain seems more creative with such implements which are always readily accessible. However more and more when putting flesh on the skeleton first recorded with pen and paper I will transfer to my laptop. Laptops have made additions, rearranging, spell checking, word counts and editing in general so much quicker and more efficient. It also compensates for my poor handwriting quality and legibility.
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
David – I do have a fair idea of my characters even before starting to write. As in real life, as I get to know them better and spend more time with them, I notice their quirks and ways of thinking. Sometimes their actions are surprising, including their reactions to story events.
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
David–Where my characters are human, they have always been based on real people and often those well known to me. However, while retaining their interesting traits I often add some ‘sin’ to the saints and some ‘good’ to the sinners. My non-human characters are based on experience with pets and research on animals including present day, extinct and mythical.
“Australian Authors” – Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?
David –Yes. With my first anthology I considered combining my stories with others for the sake of variety and less time for completion. However, the risk of differing aims and changing motivations of any participant led to single authorship. I have enjoyed many co-authored books particularly in non-fiction and my successful co-direction of theatre productions has demonstrated the advantages of collaboration.
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
David –My reading is mainly non-fiction in the form of history, biographies, philosophy and human achievement. I admire the way Peter Fitzsimmons adds the key senses to the histories he writes. Recent readings have been some first publications from relatively unknown local writers.
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
David–Have faith in yourself. Everyone has a story to tell but very few have the perseverance to finish writing a book and then going through the processes of editing, alteration, editing, publishing and marketing. Try some traditional publishers but realize that the acceptance rate is extremely low. If you really want to have the satisfaction of seeing your work in a final published form, self-publishing is the way to go. Network with other writers and learn by doing.
