Ask the Author: M.J. Webb
Answered Questions (4)
M.J. Webb
Gassar,
Hello. Great question, thank you. My favourite for sentimental reasons is Jake West - The Keeper of the Stones, because it is my first and was penned for my children. That means so much and brings forth tons of emotions.
However, I believe Jake West - The Estian Alliance is a far better fantasy novel and by that time I was a much more rounded writer.
A Child of Szabo holds a special place in my heart too, because it's the one I enthused over most and working alongside a good friend in the early morns to produce a great yarn was a truly special time/experience.
Without doubt the best technically is my latest; The Ajax File.... I suppose I'm torn because I love something about all of my books. I'm sorry to sit on the fence a little for this reason but if you push me for a decision, I'm going to go with The Ajax File.
Thanks so much for your question and interest.
M J Webb
Hello. Great question, thank you. My favourite for sentimental reasons is Jake West - The Keeper of the Stones, because it is my first and was penned for my children. That means so much and brings forth tons of emotions.
However, I believe Jake West - The Estian Alliance is a far better fantasy novel and by that time I was a much more rounded writer.
A Child of Szabo holds a special place in my heart too, because it's the one I enthused over most and working alongside a good friend in the early morns to produce a great yarn was a truly special time/experience.
Without doubt the best technically is my latest; The Ajax File.... I suppose I'm torn because I love something about all of my books. I'm sorry to sit on the fence a little for this reason but if you push me for a decision, I'm going to go with The Ajax File.
Thanks so much for your question and interest.
M J Webb
M.J. Webb
I would encourage any aspiring writer to read as much as possible, particularly in their chosen genre. We learn all the time and there is nobody better placed to teach than an experienced, successful author.
Beyond that, I would say, fill the page with words and let in flow. In the beginning it is all about enjoyment and developing style, prose, dialogue, learning punctuation, editing and formatting...
When the time comes to think about publishing, that is when it becomes serious. Then you need a storyline/plot to loosely base your novel around. Character development at the beginning will avoid inconsistencies. Try to make your story original but entertaining or thought-provoking, preferably both. Seek advice and counsel. Use professionals if you can. Most of all, be patient, wait until the product is as perfect as you can make it before going ahead.
Enjoy the entire process from start to finish. It's the greatest job in the world.
Beyond that, I would say, fill the page with words and let in flow. In the beginning it is all about enjoyment and developing style, prose, dialogue, learning punctuation, editing and formatting...
When the time comes to think about publishing, that is when it becomes serious. Then you need a storyline/plot to loosely base your novel around. Character development at the beginning will avoid inconsistencies. Try to make your story original but entertaining or thought-provoking, preferably both. Seek advice and counsel. Use professionals if you can. Most of all, be patient, wait until the product is as perfect as you can make it before going ahead.
Enjoy the entire process from start to finish. It's the greatest job in the world.
M.J. Webb
I took an unusually long time to pen my fourth novel. I'm not sure on the exact gap between finishing my fantasy trilogy and beginning 'A Child of Szabo' (I could easily find out I suppose) but I would say it was a break of around ten years or so. And a decade is a hell of a long time to come up with one idea so it had to be worthy.
To be honest, in all of that time I considered numerous genres, plots, settings etc. I discarded many of the options because I thought they were not exciting enough, or not original, did not enthuse me to any great extent etc.
The actual idea for Szabo came about as a result of my fascination with the Second World War and a fervent desire to pen something completely different from my previous trilogy, which was written for my children.
I wanted a real break. I was searching for an antihero and a real action-packed, fast-paced page turner which would be hard to put down. Once I decided to link it to a genuine heroine of the Special Operations Executive, a mother, daughter and astonishingly brave woman who died for our freedom, I knew it would be a real labour of love for me. Something I would pour my heart and soul into.
I'm really proud of this novel and hope that readers enjoy it. Also, that they will hopefully reflect on the sacrifices of thousands of brave souls (many of them women) who never had the opportunities we enjoy to grow, live, love and enjoy the liberty they battled to preserve.
Lest we forget.
To be honest, in all of that time I considered numerous genres, plots, settings etc. I discarded many of the options because I thought they were not exciting enough, or not original, did not enthuse me to any great extent etc.
The actual idea for Szabo came about as a result of my fascination with the Second World War and a fervent desire to pen something completely different from my previous trilogy, which was written for my children.
I wanted a real break. I was searching for an antihero and a real action-packed, fast-paced page turner which would be hard to put down. Once I decided to link it to a genuine heroine of the Special Operations Executive, a mother, daughter and astonishingly brave woman who died for our freedom, I knew it would be a real labour of love for me. Something I would pour my heart and soul into.
I'm really proud of this novel and hope that readers enjoy it. Also, that they will hopefully reflect on the sacrifices of thousands of brave souls (many of them women) who never had the opportunities we enjoy to grow, live, love and enjoy the liberty they battled to preserve.
Lest we forget.
M.J. Webb
I have a stressful job and a small family. Time is a luxury. However, what little free time I do have is spent writing because it is pure stress relief and escapism; on that page I can create whatever I want to create, be whoever I want to be...
I love the freedom to explore my own imagination at will, and very often I'm surprised, delighted and amazed by what I find. My writing is for me and my children, but occasionally somebody somewhere writes a review, or contacts me to tell me they enjoyed my novel, and that is like gold dust. It's like scoring the winning goal in the cup final and it never gets old.
I could go on and on..... :-)
I love the freedom to explore my own imagination at will, and very often I'm surprised, delighted and amazed by what I find. My writing is for me and my children, but occasionally somebody somewhere writes a review, or contacts me to tell me they enjoyed my novel, and that is like gold dust. It's like scoring the winning goal in the cup final and it never gets old.
I could go on and on..... :-)
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