Today I’m really thrilled to welcome crime writer David Jackson to the blog. Dave is a friend and he’s also one of my favourite authors. If you haven’t yet read his work, you really should try it.
This is also a special First Draft post as it’s the final set Friday post by a guest author. Any further First Draft posts will be slotted in at other times. The new feature of Revisions posts, looking at the authors revisions process, once the first draft is done, will be starting shortly. But look out at the end of this post for another short announcement.
Back now, to Dave, our final first drafter…
David Jackson’s first novel, PARIAH, was Highly Commended in the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Awards, after which he was quickly signed up for a publishing deal. His fourth book, CRY BABY, went straight into the top 10 of the Amazon Kindle bestsellers, and was subsequently listed as one of the Amazon Best Books of the Year. His latest novel, A TAPPING AT MY DOOR, is the first of a new crime series set in Liverpool, where David works as a university lecturer.
When you decide to write something new, what is the first thing you do?
I try to nail down the idea. Usually, I’ll have something nebulous that’s been floating around in my head for ages. Now is the time to think it through properly, to reassure myself it can be made to work, and to turn it into a proper story.
Do you have a set routine approaching it?
I have a fairly lengthy planning stage, where I don’t do any actual writing, except to make notes. The notes aren’t substantial, either; I just need to think a lot. For me, beginnings are easy, so I tend to start with the ending. I like to have a major twist at the end, so I’ll put a lot of effort into getting that right. Then I’ll work on the middle. This is usually the tough bit. I know I need to get from A to Z, but that’s often easier said than done. I tend to ask myself lots of questions about the plot, and then spend days working out the answers. I love the feeling of coming up with a solution that I know is just right.
Pen and paper or straight to the keyboard?
At the planning stage I’ll sometimes use pen and paper; in fact, I scribbled down the whole plot of my next novel while lying on a sunbed on holiday this summer. I’ll also enter notes on my mobile phone – perhaps on the train or when I’m in bed. For the actual writing of the novel, though, it’s always straight onto the computer for me.
How important is research to you?
To be honest, it’s never the top priority. I’m far more interested in story and character. Obviously, there will be facts I need to check, and things I need to learn about, but these tend to be driven by the needs of the story.
How do you go about researching?
It depends what it is I’m researching. If it’s a location, I’ll go there, usually with my GoPro to film it. For other stuff, I’ll do a lot of reading and a lot of online searching. I’m also not afraid to ask questions of people who know a lot more than I do. This is especially useful for the policing element of my books: you can’t beat talking to a real copper for finding out exactly how things should (and shouldn’t) be done.
How do you store everything; ideas, research, images that catch your eye?
Most of it gets filed in my brain, as I’m pretty good at retaining information I regard as important (although I’m less good at remembering mundane stuff, like switching on the washing machine!) Other than that, I rely on technology. As I mentioned above, I’ll make videos of locations, and I have a digital voice recorder for conversations and interviews. A mobile phone is terrific for jotting down notes or taking snapshots of interesting scenes and objects. I also tend to make lots of bookmarks of relevant web sites I’ve found.
Tell us how that first draft takes shape?
Actually, I only do one draft, which is something I’m reluctant to admit since people keep telling me that the secret of writing is in the rewriting. I start at the beginning and I work right through to the end. Aside from a little tweaking when I’m done, that draft is what I send off to my publisher.
Are there any rituals you have to do or items you must have with you while writing that draft?
I need a computer, relative silence, and a brain which isn’t too frazzled.
Does the outside world exist or are you lost to us for a period of time as the magic works?
I’m easily distracted, and I tend to procrastinate, but once I’m in the zone I can really get lost in it. Those are the times that I really love writing.
What does your workspace look like?
Messy. Our loft has been converted to give me a small study. It’s great for escaping from the world while I write, but I’m terrible at keeping it tidy. The requirement to take a photo of it for this blog post has given me the impetus I needed to clean it up.
Edit as you go or just keep getting words out?
I keep getting the words out, but generally what I type tends to be in its final form. I never go back over the previous day’s work to fix it.
I see many writers counting words in a day. Word counter or other method of keeping track of progression?
I look at the word count, but not on a daily basis. Because I have a full-time job, I’m not able to write according to a schedule. Many a day goes by where I don’t produce a thing. Instead, I work out roughly how many words I need to produce per month, and if I start falling behind I’ll force myself to put in some more hours.
So, that first draft is down. Roughly how long did it take? And what shape is it in?
Bearing in mind that my first draft is my only draft, I usually give myself a year, because that’s what my contract stipulates, and I find that my work usually expands to fit the time available. That said, I completed the sequel to ‘A Tapping at my Door’ in only seven months.
In what format do you like to read it through, ereader, paper or the computer screen?
Computer screen. I hate working with reams of paper.
What happens now that first draft is done?
I send it off to my agent and publisher. I should point out that just because I think only one draft is needed, it doesn’t necessarily follow that they will agree!
Thanks for digging into the depths of the first draft. It’s been a pleasure having you.
And thank you, Rebecca, for giving me the chance to occupy the final slot in what has been a fascinating series of articles!
You can find Dave on his Website | Twitter | Amazon
A Tapping at my Door
From the bestselling author of Cry Baby, the beginning of a brilliant and gripping police procedural series set in Liverpool, perfect for fans of Peter James and Mark Billingham
“Recalls Harlan Coben – though for my money Jackson is the better writer.” Guardian
A woman at home in Liverpool is disturbed by a persistent tapping at her back door. She’s disturbed to discover the culprit is a raven, and tries to shoo it away. Which is when the killer strikes.
DS Nathan Cody, still bearing the scars of an undercover mission that went horrifyingly wrong, is put on the case. But the police have no leads, except the body of the bird – and the victim’s missing eyes.
As flashbacks from his past begin to intrude, Cody realises he is battling not just a murderer, but his own inner demons too.
And then the killer strikes again, and Cody realises the threat isn’t to the people of Liverpool after all – it’s to the police.
Following the success and acclaim of the Callum Doyle novels, A Tapping at My Door is the first instalment of David Jackson’s new Nathan Cody series.
I do hope you’ve enjoyed the First Draft series as much as I have. A long time ago, when they first started, I was asked why I hadn’t done the questions. Well, at the time I had only written Shallow Waters and that was a finding my feet process. So, now, as I close the door on the series as a regular slot, I think it’s time I answered my own questions, so next week, I’ll be in my own first draft hot seat. Stop by if you want to see inside my own writing process.
But, from me, I want to thank all the authors who have taken time out of their busy schedules to do these fascinating Q&As. I have enjoyed and learned from them and I am grateful to each and every one of them.
Thank you.
You can read the entire series Here.
Cleo @CleopatraLovesBooks says
Thrilled that the final ‘first draft’ is from an author who really wowed me – even more excited to hear the sequel to A Tapping at my Door has been submitted ?
melanie hodges says
This has been a really interesting series and although I’m not a writer, as an avid reader, I’ve definitely learned a lot.
I will be buying this new David Jackson book straight away, it looks right up my street!
I look forward to seeing your own account next week and wish you all the luck in the world xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Mel. You will love Dave’s book. It is fantastic!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I hope you’re motivated to keep your office clean now.
Only one draft? I guess if you aren’t rewriting the whole thing, then it is still one draft. I’ll make small changes and rewrite or add things to a draft, but never completely rewrite it, so I guess I’m one draft only as well.
Margot Kinberg says
Thank you, Rebecca, for such an interesting series. And I am really looking forward to learning about your own draft process. Thanks, too, to both for an interesting post today. I learn so much from reading about how others do it.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks, Margot. I’ve been putting so many of these posts out of the past couple of years, it’ll be weird to put my own out next week!