Ask the Author: Joy Mutter
Answered Questions (7)
Joy Mutter
Hello, Robert.
Thank you for your interesting question. These days, I don't search for old postcards as I used to but would still buy exceptional ones if they came my way. I agree with you that they are more expensive than they used to be when I began collecting them in the 1970s. I'm a pensioner, so must be careful with my money. I have collected more than 2,000 postcards over the decades, so I can satisfy my postcard itch by looking through my collection. I would never sell my collection as it means too much to me. Do you collect them?
Thank you for your interesting question. These days, I don't search for old postcards as I used to but would still buy exceptional ones if they came my way. I agree with you that they are more expensive than they used to be when I began collecting them in the 1970s. I'm a pensioner, so must be careful with my money. I have collected more than 2,000 postcards over the decades, so I can satisfy my postcard itch by looking through my collection. I would never sell my collection as it means too much to me. Do you collect them?
Joy Mutter
I am currently writing my eleventh book, Confronting The Hostile, book four in my paranormal crime thriller Hostile series. I aim to self-publish this book as a kindle and paperback book, maybe an audiobook version too, like all my other books. Ideas are already buzzing around my brain for books twelve, thirteen and beyond.
Joy Mutter
If you want to become a writer, the best advice is to write, read, write and read as much as possible. I've wanted to be a writer since childhood. Life got in the way until misfortune gave me the chance to write. I turned a negative event into a positive. Everyone's circumstances differ. Many people have little to no time to write. I now have endless hours where I can write to my heart's content. If the time ever comes when you have time to write, sit down and let it all out. Your craft improves with time, practice and, if you are very lucky, with encouragement and advice. Also, learn to overcome negative forces that might not want you to succeed.
Joy Mutter
I am easily inspired. The smallest idea can initiate an entire book, even a series. My latest series, The Hostile, came about after I spotted a strange looking household object at home. I am now writing book four in the series.
Probably my best and favourite book, a paranormal crime thriller called Random Bullets, came about after a chance remark my sister made to me regarding what could happen now I've been disinherited by our father.
My first three books, The Mug Trilogy, are all based on my life, so it was just a case of writing from memory. My novel, Potholes and Magic Carpets starts off partly autobiographical, but soon shoots off into pure fiction. The characters then took over and wrote the book for me.
The inspiration for my only non-fiction book, Living with Postcards, came from my love of old postcards, which I've been collecting for decades. I now own over 2,000 of these quirky, charming, beautiful objects.
I now write solely fiction, although any writer can't help but find people from their past showing up in various guises. I find one thing leads to another and ideas fire off like firecrackers as I write. I'm not a huge plotter because I like to allow the characters in my books help to dictate the outcome.
Probably my best and favourite book, a paranormal crime thriller called Random Bullets, came about after a chance remark my sister made to me regarding what could happen now I've been disinherited by our father.
My first three books, The Mug Trilogy, are all based on my life, so it was just a case of writing from memory. My novel, Potholes and Magic Carpets starts off partly autobiographical, but soon shoots off into pure fiction. The characters then took over and wrote the book for me.
The inspiration for my only non-fiction book, Living with Postcards, came from my love of old postcards, which I've been collecting for decades. I now own over 2,000 of these quirky, charming, beautiful objects.
I now write solely fiction, although any writer can't help but find people from their past showing up in various guises. I find one thing leads to another and ideas fire off like firecrackers as I write. I'm not a huge plotter because I like to allow the characters in my books help to dictate the outcome.
Joy Mutter
Where do I begin? Nothing gives me such regular pleasure as the whole process of creating and publishing a book. After a chronic back problem developed in 2011, not wanting to take disability benefit, I spontaneously (some might say, foolishly) decided to sell my house in Kent to move to a cheaper, yet superior, home in the North of England. I live solely on the money from the house sale. It allows me the freedom to write. To have achieved my life-long ambition to become an author gives me my greatest reward. I've always wanted to be a writer, but life got in the way for many years, until 2011. To be able to give readers pleasure is a huge privilege. It's hard to believe I've written, designed and published ten books. I'm currently working on book eleven, Confronting The Hostile, book four in The Hostile series
Joy Mutter
At the risk of sounding horribly smug, I have yet to experience writer's block. I probably will one day, but have not fallen prey to it in over seven years of writing, although I have only been writing full-time since 2011. I usually write every day from 11 in the morning until about 6 in the evening, although ideas pop up at all hours of the day and night.
Joy Mutter
The inspiration for the first book in The Hostile series was triggered when I noticed something strange in my bathroom. It made me think, what if? I took it from there and a thriller with a paranormal twist took shape. I'm now working on the sequel to Holiday for The Hostile. It'll be book 3 in The Hostile series. Random Bullets, my favourite book was triggered by an innocent conversation with my sister about my disinheritance by our father.
As an ex-graphic designer with twenty years experience, I enjoy designing my own covers. It's a thrill to lay out all my books, just as I used to regularly lay out books for other authors for publishers like Hodder Headline and Pinters.
As an ex-graphic designer with twenty years experience, I enjoy designing my own covers. It's a thrill to lay out all my books, just as I used to regularly lay out books for other authors for publishers like Hodder Headline and Pinters.
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