Hello,
I literally have one of those good news, bad news things to tell you. I know, it sounds so cliché. But before I start, I'm being rude, how are you? All good? You look fantastic today by the way. OK, sitting comfortably? Right, let's get cracking.
I never know whether to give the good news or the bad news first. Personally I prefer the bad news first - the kick in the balls, before the nice cup of tea and warm hot water bottle that is the good news to follow. So bad news first. I really wanted to write a Christmas novella this year. I spent a long time thinking up ideas, writing a few beginnings, a synopsis or two and I even decided on a final story idea...But...I don't have the time to write it. I so desperately wanted to write this story because it's so lovely, funny, charming, and I think it would have been really good. Plus, I love writing about Christmas. The thing is though, I refuse to put out work that isn't the very best I can do. I could have rushed it out, but the truth is it wouldn't have been my best work. So they'll be no Christmas novella from me.
Instead of rushing out a novella, I'm spending all of my time writing book number four. I want this book to be amazing. It has to be amazing. I'm working harder and longer on this book than any other book because I see that it has enormous potential. The story is fantastic, it has great characters, it's funny, sad, heart warming, and all the things I want in a great novel, plus it has a great hook. So I decided that I didn't want to a half-hearted Christmas novella and a half-hearted novel - I'm focused entirely on one to make it the best book I can write. I honestly feel like as a writer we're under so much pressure to keep churning out book after book and financially I need to, but I also believe that writing great books is the most important thing.
So that's the bad news out of the way and so time for the good news. I have a great promotion coming up next week. I can't go into enormous detail - I'll do that next week - but from next Wednesday I have a great deal that I'm super excited to announce. So stay tuned and I'll write another blog for next Wednesday. OK, so I guess the good news is a lot shorter than the bad news. Typical.
Until next time.
Hugs,
Jon X
Friday, August 22, 2014
Hello,
A happy weekend to you all. Today's been a weird day for me. My eldest Charlotte starts school on Monday and I'm at a bit of a loss. Five years ago I worked full-time, but then we had Charlotte and I decided to stay at home and be a full-time dad/writer. At that time I hadn't written much. Two full length novels, a bunch of short stories, and I'd had nothing published. Part of the reason I decided to stay at home was that I thought I'd have more time to write. I knew then that I wanted to be an author (not a marketing office bod), and so this was my chance. I didn't know, of course, how much that decision was going to change my life.
I love being a stay at home dad. Yes, some days are horrible. Yes, I occasionally get lonely and crave adult company, at least a proper conversation that doesn't involve talking about poo, pee, or puke. Sometimes I start drinking before my wife gets home because I'm at the end of my tether...but, without being a stay at home dad, I wouldn't now be a full-time author.
My first published novel, 'This Thirtysomething Life' was mainly written when Charlotte was young (and still napped a lot and so I actually had some free time), and it was inspired by having her. After my wife gave birth to Charlotte, the idea for the book came to me. A funny book about childbirth and becoming a parent from a man's point of view. If we hadn't had kids, I could never have written that book (write about what you know, right?). If we hadn't had kids, I would have kept on working full-time and maybe I would never have become a published author. All what ifs, but having Charlotte changed my life, in so many more ways than one.
So, back to today. It's her last day at home with me before she starts school on Monday. I'm going to miss her so much, more than it's possible to write about in a blog, but I owe her so much. I still have my three old year Jack, who's off to preschool two morning a week (and finally giving me some much needed writing time), but Charlotte is off now and will never completely come back. People talk a lot about being parents. There's so many quotes on it, books about it, but the truth is until you do it, feel that love, that pain, that sadness, that life changing happiness, nothing can prepare you for it.
I've loved every single moment at home with Charlotte. She's an incredible little girl. She's so funny, smart, goofy, and always has a smile, a kiss, a hug, and lots of love for me, but she's going away to school and she's going to change. The world has a bit of her now that I'll never get back and it makes me sad. I know it's OK though because the last five years are in her, they've made her who she is.
Five years ago I was a full-time office worker with dreams, ambitions, and a child on the way with no idea what to expect. Now I'm a published author, with a five year old going off to school, a three year old off to preschool, and although I still have no idea what to expect...I know we'll all be OK. Although, we're moving back to England in January (after 10 years in San Diego, CA), and life is going to change again...I guess I'll let you know how I'm doing in five years.
Until next time.
Hugs,
Jon X
A happy weekend to you all. Today's been a weird day for me. My eldest Charlotte starts school on Monday and I'm at a bit of a loss. Five years ago I worked full-time, but then we had Charlotte and I decided to stay at home and be a full-time dad/writer. At that time I hadn't written much. Two full length novels, a bunch of short stories, and I'd had nothing published. Part of the reason I decided to stay at home was that I thought I'd have more time to write. I knew then that I wanted to be an author (not a marketing office bod), and so this was my chance. I didn't know, of course, how much that decision was going to change my life.
I love being a stay at home dad. Yes, some days are horrible. Yes, I occasionally get lonely and crave adult company, at least a proper conversation that doesn't involve talking about poo, pee, or puke. Sometimes I start drinking before my wife gets home because I'm at the end of my tether...but, without being a stay at home dad, I wouldn't now be a full-time author.
My first published novel, 'This Thirtysomething Life' was mainly written when Charlotte was young (and still napped a lot and so I actually had some free time), and it was inspired by having her. After my wife gave birth to Charlotte, the idea for the book came to me. A funny book about childbirth and becoming a parent from a man's point of view. If we hadn't had kids, I could never have written that book (write about what you know, right?). If we hadn't had kids, I would have kept on working full-time and maybe I would never have become a published author. All what ifs, but having Charlotte changed my life, in so many more ways than one.
So, back to today. It's her last day at home with me before she starts school on Monday. I'm going to miss her so much, more than it's possible to write about in a blog, but I owe her so much. I still have my three old year Jack, who's off to preschool two morning a week (and finally giving me some much needed writing time), but Charlotte is off now and will never completely come back. People talk a lot about being parents. There's so many quotes on it, books about it, but the truth is until you do it, feel that love, that pain, that sadness, that life changing happiness, nothing can prepare you for it.
I've loved every single moment at home with Charlotte. She's an incredible little girl. She's so funny, smart, goofy, and always has a smile, a kiss, a hug, and lots of love for me, but she's going away to school and she's going to change. The world has a bit of her now that I'll never get back and it makes me sad. I know it's OK though because the last five years are in her, they've made her who she is.
Five years ago I was a full-time office worker with dreams, ambitions, and a child on the way with no idea what to expect. Now I'm a published author, with a five year old going off to school, a three year old off to preschool, and although I still have no idea what to expect...I know we'll all be OK. Although, we're moving back to England in January (after 10 years in San Diego, CA), and life is going to change again...I guess I'll let you know how I'm doing in five years.
Until next time.
Hugs,
Jon X
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Hello,
I'm pleased to have a very special guest back on my site for the third time. He's a man who needs no introduction, but I'll give him one anyway. He's the award losing author (twice) of eight best selling romantic comedy novels, and he's written about life, love, and relationships for The Times, Guardian, The Sun, and for a number of magazines including Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, and Glamour. He lives in London and previously worked as a lifeguard and an I.T. headhunter, before realising that writing novels was a far better use of his time. Any guesses? Of course, it's the brilliant, funny, and talented Mr Matt Dunn, and he's talking about his latest novel, 'What Might Have Been'.
A couple of years ago, I read a book called “The Seven Basic Plots”, which outlines the seven story lines that every book/film/play can be summarized by. As a writer about to embark on his eighth novel, this was more than a little concerning.
Fortunately, another old writing maxim, ‘write what you know’ came to my rescue. Years ago (oh, the shame), I was involved in a ‘love triangle’ (no, that’s not a Fifty Shades-type perversion involving Dairylea cheese) – I started seeing a girl who already had a boyfriend. In my defence, she didn’t tell me, and whether she began seeing me to test her feelings for him, I’m not sure, but one thing I knew – I was mad about her.
Unfortunately, I was even madder when I found out, so I did the decent thing and walked away. And ever since*, I’ve wondered what might have been had I stayed and fought for her (*until I met my lovely wife, of course, if you’re reading this, sweetheart).
And that struck me as a great premise for a novel; the idea that someone was so scared that they’d once turned their back on the love of their life that they’d do anything – risk everything – for another chance.
Evan McCarthy’s such a person. Knocked off his feet by Sarah Bishop, he’s convinced the two of them are meant to be together. So why she’s marrying someone else is beyond him. But Sarah’s sure she’s doing the right thing. Or at least she’s managed to convince herself she is. Until Evan arrives back on the scene. A week before her wedding.
Normally, I’d end that paragraph with ‘...and hilarity ensues’, but while What Might Have Been (for that’s the title of the book) is still a rom-com, it’s perhaps a little more serious than my seven previous novels - perhaps because the subject matter’s a little darker. Or maybe because I’m getting older. Or maybe – just maybe – because I’m still wondering what might have been.
I'm pleased to have a very special guest back on my site for the third time. He's a man who needs no introduction, but I'll give him one anyway. He's the award losing author (twice) of eight best selling romantic comedy novels, and he's written about life, love, and relationships for The Times, Guardian, The Sun, and for a number of magazines including Cosmopolitan, Company, Elle, and Glamour. He lives in London and previously worked as a lifeguard and an I.T. headhunter, before realising that writing novels was a far better use of his time. Any guesses? Of course, it's the brilliant, funny, and talented Mr Matt Dunn, and he's talking about his latest novel, 'What Might Have Been'.
 |
| Mr Matt Dunn |
A couple of years ago, I read a book called “The Seven Basic Plots”, which outlines the seven story lines that every book/film/play can be summarized by. As a writer about to embark on his eighth novel, this was more than a little concerning.
Fortunately, another old writing maxim, ‘write what you know’ came to my rescue. Years ago (oh, the shame), I was involved in a ‘love triangle’ (no, that’s not a Fifty Shades-type perversion involving Dairylea cheese) – I started seeing a girl who already had a boyfriend. In my defence, she didn’t tell me, and whether she began seeing me to test her feelings for him, I’m not sure, but one thing I knew – I was mad about her.
Unfortunately, I was even madder when I found out, so I did the decent thing and walked away. And ever since*, I’ve wondered what might have been had I stayed and fought for her (*until I met my lovely wife, of course, if you’re reading this, sweetheart).
And that struck me as a great premise for a novel; the idea that someone was so scared that they’d once turned their back on the love of their life that they’d do anything – risk everything – for another chance.
Evan McCarthy’s such a person. Knocked off his feet by Sarah Bishop, he’s convinced the two of them are meant to be together. So why she’s marrying someone else is beyond him. But Sarah’s sure she’s doing the right thing. Or at least she’s managed to convince herself she is. Until Evan arrives back on the scene. A week before her wedding.
Normally, I’d end that paragraph with ‘...and hilarity ensues’, but while What Might Have Been (for that’s the title of the book) is still a rom-com, it’s perhaps a little more serious than my seven previous novels - perhaps because the subject matter’s a little darker. Or maybe because I’m getting older. Or maybe – just maybe – because I’m still wondering what might have been.
 | |||
| Pick up your copy of 'What Might Have Been' at Amazon |
Cheers Matt. I've read nearly all of Matt's books and they're always funny, always entertaining, and always keep me turning the page. So pop on over to Amazon and get your copy today - you won't be disappointed.
Follow Matt on twitter: @mattdunnwrites
Matt's website: www.mattdunn.co.uk
Follow Matt on twitter: @mattdunnwrites
Matt's website: www.mattdunn.co.uk
Until next time.
Hugs,
Jon X
Friday, August 8, 2014
Hello,
A very happy Friday to you all. I hope you've had a lovely week. I'm in the middle of editing book number four, and so I thought I'd write a last blog about 'This Family Life' before I move on. It's funny being a writer because we spend so long writing books, getting to know the characters, submerging ourselves in the worlds we create, but once we finish them we never really going back to read them. At least I don't anyway. Maybe it's because I read them about fifty times while writing them. Anyway, so before I say goodbye to 'This Family Life' for good (at least until I write 'This Fortysomething Life' anyway), here are my final thoughts.
When I started writing 'This Family Life' I struggled a bit at first. I found it hard to find the story. The trouble with writing a diary novel is keeping the main story going alongside all of the day-to-day more mundane entries. If you've read 'This Thirtysomething Life' or 'This Family Life' you'll know that a lot of the comedy comes from observing life. I like to take things that each of us go through in life and point out why it's funny - almost like an extended stand-up routine. It's these observations that form the basis of a lot of the comedy in the book. Like for example when Harry goes to management training, which I've done myself, and just the absurdity of it. Writing this book I had lots of funny ideas, especially on being a parent, but how to form all of that into a coherent story?
A couple of things happened which brought the plot together. I'll try and explain this without giving too much away. Probably the biggest breakthrough I had was deciding to bring Harry's parents into the book in a big way. In the first book, they only played a very small part. They were peripheral characters, who although I loved writing, didn't really play a big part, but I decided that they would play a much bigger role in this book. I also think it makes sense because speaking from experience, when you have children grandparents do play a bigger role in your life and so it felt only natural. Once I knew they were going to be in it a lot more, I had to create a storyline for them and this is when things started to click.
The second thing that happened was that I introduced new neighbours. I sort of knew from the start that I wanted to create some new characters for this book. I loved the characters from 'This Thirtysomething Life' and most of them are back, but I felt like I needed a new set of people who would dramatically impact Harry and Emily, and so new neighbours seemed like the obvious choice. Having a new couple on the street with their own child, set off a whole new world of story ideas. So from struggling with ideas for a strong plot line to thread through the book, suddenly I had almost too many ideas. Actually when I sent the first half of the book to my agent, the first thing she said was that I was trying to do too much. There was too much going on and that I had to focus the story more.
The good thing about having too much is that it's easier to cut back rather than think up new ideas. I was soon decided on the main story lines and after that the book wrote itself. Not literally, obviously, but it it did come together very quickly. I already had so much comedy material, so many ideas for set pieces, scenes, and characters that once the main story came together, I just needed to hang everything else on it.
I love writing these books and I'm definitely going to revisit Harry, Emily, and baby William again. I'm turning 40 next year and so once I have some very real experience of that I'm sure I'll be able to write a 'This Fortysomething Life' and who know where Harry will be, if he'll have more children, the same job, etc, but one thing is for sure, whatever happens to Harry and co, it's going to be funny, heart warming, and I'm going to really enjoy writing it.
Until next time.
Hugs,
Jon X
A very happy Friday to you all. I hope you've had a lovely week. I'm in the middle of editing book number four, and so I thought I'd write a last blog about 'This Family Life' before I move on. It's funny being a writer because we spend so long writing books, getting to know the characters, submerging ourselves in the worlds we create, but once we finish them we never really going back to read them. At least I don't anyway. Maybe it's because I read them about fifty times while writing them. Anyway, so before I say goodbye to 'This Family Life' for good (at least until I write 'This Fortysomething Life' anyway), here are my final thoughts.
When I started writing 'This Family Life' I struggled a bit at first. I found it hard to find the story. The trouble with writing a diary novel is keeping the main story going alongside all of the day-to-day more mundane entries. If you've read 'This Thirtysomething Life' or 'This Family Life' you'll know that a lot of the comedy comes from observing life. I like to take things that each of us go through in life and point out why it's funny - almost like an extended stand-up routine. It's these observations that form the basis of a lot of the comedy in the book. Like for example when Harry goes to management training, which I've done myself, and just the absurdity of it. Writing this book I had lots of funny ideas, especially on being a parent, but how to form all of that into a coherent story?
A couple of things happened which brought the plot together. I'll try and explain this without giving too much away. Probably the biggest breakthrough I had was deciding to bring Harry's parents into the book in a big way. In the first book, they only played a very small part. They were peripheral characters, who although I loved writing, didn't really play a big part, but I decided that they would play a much bigger role in this book. I also think it makes sense because speaking from experience, when you have children grandparents do play a bigger role in your life and so it felt only natural. Once I knew they were going to be in it a lot more, I had to create a storyline for them and this is when things started to click.
The second thing that happened was that I introduced new neighbours. I sort of knew from the start that I wanted to create some new characters for this book. I loved the characters from 'This Thirtysomething Life' and most of them are back, but I felt like I needed a new set of people who would dramatically impact Harry and Emily, and so new neighbours seemed like the obvious choice. Having a new couple on the street with their own child, set off a whole new world of story ideas. So from struggling with ideas for a strong plot line to thread through the book, suddenly I had almost too many ideas. Actually when I sent the first half of the book to my agent, the first thing she said was that I was trying to do too much. There was too much going on and that I had to focus the story more.
The good thing about having too much is that it's easier to cut back rather than think up new ideas. I was soon decided on the main story lines and after that the book wrote itself. Not literally, obviously, but it it did come together very quickly. I already had so much comedy material, so many ideas for set pieces, scenes, and characters that once the main story came together, I just needed to hang everything else on it.
I love writing these books and I'm definitely going to revisit Harry, Emily, and baby William again. I'm turning 40 next year and so once I have some very real experience of that I'm sure I'll be able to write a 'This Fortysomething Life' and who know where Harry will be, if he'll have more children, the same job, etc, but one thing is for sure, whatever happens to Harry and co, it's going to be funny, heart warming, and I'm going to really enjoy writing it.
 |
| Pop on over to Amazon and pick up your copy |
Until next time.
Hugs,
Jon X
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