Exclusive Interview with the Author of Tethers!

An interview with the author of Tethers, Jack Croxall (see review of this on the ebooks page).  I just want to thank Mr Croxall for allowing me the pleasure of reading his books and letting me pester him with questions. Thanks! 

Tethers Questions

How did you develop such big characters as Esther?

What a lovely thing to say about my Esther, thank you! Right from the start, Esther was always going to be the fighter of the central duo, and I quickly realised that a character like that would have a lot to say about the social circumstances of the Victorian era. For example, she’s frustrated by the vast inequality that existed between the sexes in those days, and she feels that she must meet injustices (particularly those that directly affect the people she cares for) sword first. She does have a sensitive side however, and that aspect of her becomes more important as the trilogy progresses.

What was your favourite part of writing the book?

I really enjoyed the fight scenes, particularly the final battles at the end of each book, but I have to say my favourite scenes to write were the ones that find Karl and Esther alone together. They often have intimate moments/discussions during these times, and, as each scene comes and goes, their relationship slowly becomes deeper and more complex.

Did you change anything from your original manuscript?

Actually, not all that much. I’m one of those people that does all the things the universally accepted writing advice and creative writing courses tell you not to do. I edit as I go, I don’t write on until I know what’s going to happen (both in my head and on my planning document) and I don’t just write whatever I want, I constantly think of my target audience. There were of course lots of minor edits and mistakes that got picked up during the numerous proofreading stages, but apart from that the original Tethers manuscript (which I still keep) is very similar to the finished book.

How did you become inspired to write the book?

In all honesty I started writing with first scene in mind and not much else! I simply went from there; following Karl as he met Esther and then investigated something he’d seen a couple of weeks before the book started. The entire trilogy stemmed from that first moment! 

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Read, read, read! Then try to write something every day. If you do that, you will reach your target eventually.

What can we expect from the rest of the series and from you as an author in the future?

The series continues with Unwoven and Torn, and these two books are darker and more intense then Tethers. Karl and Esther are also fifteen in the second and third instalments, so things start to get a little more complicated between them.

As for me, I have a short story collection coming out in February: Six Short Stories. It’s a series of six tall tales, some of which are linked to each other, all of which contain just a hint of the supernatural. I’m also working on a new standalone novel, Wye, which will hopefully be finished next year. There’s much more on both these books at www.jackcroxall.co.uk

Thanks for having me!