Book Savvy Spotlight on John White
Bringing you exclusive interviews with authors featured in the Book Savvy Newsletter.
Our Guest is John White*
Enjoy the interview.
Q1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your book 'Brook Breasting'?I'm just your average sixty-nine year old, who simply wants his writing out there in the public domain. My novel is about life in a village called Brook Breasting during one eventful year, with a little mystery thrown in.
Q2. What provided the inspiration for you to become a writer in the first place?
I've watched active people become bored stupid when they retire. I needed another absorbing hobby. Although my school results in English were abysmal, I decided that if I couldn't better the celebrity 'literature' in the bookshops, I'd stand shooting.
I've watched active people become bored stupid when they retire. I needed another absorbing hobby. Although my school results in English were abysmal, I decided that if I couldn't better the celebrity 'literature' in the bookshops, I'd stand shooting.
Q3. Your novel has such a unique and fascinating plot, where did you get your inspiration for it?
I study people, that and fresh air is all I need for ideas. However, you have to be very careful not to stare at a character you find interesting. You don't want "Oi, who are you staring at, pal"?
I study people, that and fresh air is all I need for ideas. However, you have to be very careful not to stare at a character you find interesting. You don't want "Oi, who are you staring at, pal"?
Q4. How did you plan your novel and how long did it take you from start to finish?
It's originally a short story that got out of control. The only planning I did was to draw a map of the village. Church, houses, post-office, roads, directions, everything.
It's originally a short story that got out of control. The only planning I did was to draw a map of the village. Church, houses, post-office, roads, directions, everything.
Q5. What are your favourite aspects of writing? And the most challenging?
Re-learning the English language. It's changed beyond recognition since I was at school, thank goodness. My English master would have had a fit at what is allowed today.
Re-learning the English language. It's changed beyond recognition since I was at school, thank goodness. My English master would have had a fit at what is allowed today.
Q6. If you were throwing a dinner party and could invite three fictional characters from your book who would you invite, and why?
Gwyn Morgan. Hard worker, moral, with a sense of humour. Rollo Palmerston. He would have a lifetime of experiences to bring to the table. Erica Southwell. If we were bored, she could entertain us with her gossip.
Gwyn Morgan. Hard worker, moral, with a sense of humour. Rollo Palmerston. He would have a lifetime of experiences to bring to the table. Erica Southwell. If we were bored, she could entertain us with her gossip.
Q7. Are there any authors or books that have had a strong influence on you?
J. R. Tolkien. The English language is at its very best.
J. R. Tolkien. The English language is at its very best.
Q8. What have you got out of writing?
I've met a lot of interesting people that I wouldn't otherwise have met. Not all of them nice people, but definitely interesting.
I've met a lot of interesting people that I wouldn't otherwise have met. Not all of them nice people, but definitely interesting.
Q9. Are you still writing and are there more books in the pipeline?
An anthology - Short Stories For The Smallest Room, is at the editing stage.
An anthology - Short Stories For The Smallest Room, is at the editing stage.
Q10. What are your interests when you are not writing?
I love to walk, and the thought that one day I won't be able to enjoy this simple pleasure is not a happy one.
I love to walk, and the thought that one day I won't be able to enjoy this simple pleasure is not a happy one.
Q11. What steps have you taken to market your books?
The usual - friends, relations, my writers' group, Facebook. I've talked with other published authors and found I'm not alone in feeling embarrassed by self-promotion. Strange.
The usual - friends, relations, my writers' group, Facebook. I've talked with other published authors and found I'm not alone in feeling embarrassed by self-promotion. Strange.
Q12. If you had to pick just one book marketing tool that you've used to promote your book, which would you say has been the most effective?
So far - Facebook. It has opened more avenues.
So far - Facebook. It has opened more avenues.
Q13. Do you do more promoting online or offline and which do you prefer?
On line. It removes any embarrassment.
On line. It removes any embarrassment.
Q14. Are you concerned about the effect of e-publishing on traditional books?
I was, but not any more. It's the modern world, so we should embrace it, or lose out. Not a bad speech for an old un, eh?
I was, but not any more. It's the modern world, so we should embrace it, or lose out. Not a bad speech for an old un, eh?
Q15. What kinds of feedback have you received from your readers?
My naivety is such, that until it was brought to my attention, I never thought of looking at reviews. On Amazon UK, total strangers are writing honest, helpful critiques.
My naivety is such, that until it was brought to my attention, I never thought of looking at reviews. On Amazon UK, total strangers are writing honest, helpful critiques.
Q16. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Go with what you think is right for you. I made the conscious decision to write a novel without expletives. Nobody noticed - so are they really necessary?
Go with what you think is right for you. I made the conscious decision to write a novel without expletives. Nobody noticed - so are they really necessary?
Thank you for your time. We wish you every success in your writing career.
Brook Breasting is available in eBook.
*Born in Gedling, Nottingham, in 1943, John's working life was as follows: factory worker, warp knitter, soldier (twelve years), British Coal employee (twenty years) and for the final ten years he worked at Nottingham University. A couple of years before he retired he began writing, this led to penning his first Novel, Brook Breasting. On his retirement he joined the Eastwood Writers' Group.
John White is available for interviews and to write feature articles as well as guest blogs.
John White is available for interviews and to write feature articles as well as guest blogs.
John White is available for interviews and to write feature articles as well as guest blogs.
John White is available for interviews and to write feature articles as well as guest blogs.
View Previous Editions of Book Savvy Newsletter
Are you an author and would like to be featured in our interview column on this site? Contact us for further information:
Booksdirect@publishedbestsellers.co.uk
** Book Savvy is an e-newsletter of Pneuma Springs Publishing, featuring news and information about all published books and new releases with highlights about the authors behind the books. Look out also for helpful resources e.g. blogs, book reviews and of course, discounts, special offers etc.
Are you an author and would like to be featured in our interview column on this site? Contact us for further information:
Booksdirect@publishedbestsellers.co.uk
** Book Savvy is an e-newsletter of Pneuma Springs Publishing, featuring news and information about all published books and new releases with highlights about the authors behind the books. Look out also for helpful resources e.g. blogs, book reviews and of course, discounts, special offers etc.
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