How
long have you been writing, Jack?
A really long time.
My first published piece was in 1969, but I made the mistake of
listening to people about “getting a real job” and stopped until about
1990. Then I got serious about it and my
first short story was published in 1992 in a very early electronic magazine.
Where
did you get your idea and inspiration to write There Are Giants In This Valley?
We had been having some trouble with skinheads in my
local area for several months and I was doing some research on the group and
discovered the connection to Norse mythology. It went on from there as I tried
to give it a twist.
What
sets There Are Giants In This Valley
apart from other books in the same genre?
I wrote this for my grandson, who wasn’t old enough
to read at the time, because I saw very few books for young male audience
members. My intent was to try and recapture the fun I had found myself as a boy
with the Lucky Star books by Paul French and the Tom Swift books.
As
an author, Jack, what is your writing process?
Usually an idea hits me from one of many sources,
and I sit down and see what research I need to do or I begin developing
characters. Somewhere during this time I begin writing the story, with breaks
for character development or research as needed. Since I work in the middle of a library
(personal) and an armory, I have a lot of inspiration for my works.
How
long did it take for you to start and finish There Are Giants In This Valley?
Probably about a year, since I was working a full
time job at the time as well as acting as vice president for my local writing
group. Toward the end of the project, I met my agent, Cherry Weiner, at a
conference and after a few kicks in the right direction she accepted me as a
client and pushed me to complete the project.
As well as a second project she wanted at the same time. We talk and she likes some of my ideas and
the next thing you know, I have a deadline to finish a book.
Sounds
like you know how to juggle many projects at once! Do you have any advice for
other writers, Jack?
Yes, keep writing and keep reading. The more you write, the better you get. When I look back at that first short story I
had published, I cringe. It’s not
horrible, but I can do much better now.
And keep reading what you want to write, Unless you know what’s already
been done, it’s too easy to go back over the same ground. I now teach writing
classes and I’m amazed when I talk to green writers about how little they know
on the background of their own genres.
You MUST know what came before you or you’ll wind up rewriting the easy
stuff and not giving the hard stuff the depth it deserves.
I
agree. You better your best! So, what’s next for Jack Hillman the author?
I’m currently working on a YA hard SF project, first
book in a series, a hard SF novel for an adult audience and a mystery, also for
an adult audience. As well as doing edits for MUSA Publishing on my books. And still working a full time job on top of
all that. So I’m pretty busy. Luckily,
my wife is very supportive of my writing, since she likes to read too.
Okay,
here’s one for me, since I’m writing a time travel series – If you could time
travel anywhere into Earth’s past, where would you go and why?
Probably the Jurassic Period. I want to find out what color dinosaurs
really were! And also find out what
happened to the dragons.facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/jack.hillman
Jack it sounds like you book is a real winner for girls and boys. Wishing you the very best of luck with this and all your future projects.
ReplyDeleteLovely interview as always, Sharon.
Good stuff! I agree, boys tend to get shoved aside when it comes to reading. So much romance out there in YA! Glad you're bringing in one for the boys.
ReplyDelete