10 Questions with Action Thriller Writer Simon Jenner (@SimonRJenner)


This Author Spotlight features action-thriller writer Simon Jenner, author of Ethan Justice: Origins. Simon is offering a complimentary copy of Ethan Justice: Origins to a lucky few. Read on for more.


Simon Jenner is a man whose goal in life is to discover his goal in life. He lives with his wife, who keeps his dream alive and his stomach tight against his trousers; his son, a dreamer just like his dad; and a dog who "receives fuss" like he’s the one doing the favor.

1. How did you get into writing?
I have always enjoyed writing actually more than reading and started writing books (many books, with the emphasis on starting!) after leaving school. I’d never finished anything until Ethan Justice: Origins – other than a children’s rhyming picture book which was inspired by my son. I think I had to get to an age – in my case 48 – before I could hold my concentration long enough to finish writing one.

2. What do you like best (or least) about writing?

Self-doubt is the worst thing of all. Some days the words I write are sheer genius, and yet when I read it back the next day, it has inexplicably turned to trash. What is that about?

3. What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count, write 7 days a week, etc?

I start with an idea and plan out the first couple of chapters and then see where the characters take me. If I try to over plan, I get bogged down and decidedly bored. I try to write 3000 words a day and write 5 days a week. As with most writers, some days I succeed and some days I fail miserably. I do get distracted at times, but mostly I manage to stay on track - until that damn Facebook pings at me!

4. Who are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are commercially “successful?”

As a boy I enjoyed Alistair MacLean and later I turned to the more macabre with Stephen King and Dean Koontz, although I haven't been so enamored with their latest works. Steig Larson’s Millenium trilogy was excellent, and it was sad and a great loss to writing that he died at such an early age. In the last year or so, I have been sticking to the works of other indie authors. I like to wave the flag for the great thrillers I have come across so I reach out to the authors and feature them with character and author interviews on my website.

5. Should the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?

Outside.

6. What’s your stance on the Oxford Comma?

It's useful when items in a list are not single words.

7. What is your book Ethan Justice: Origins about and how did it come to fruition?

Ethan Justice: Origins pits the wits and adrenaline of an underachiever and a beautiful escort against a psychotic soldier in a race to secure a terrifying invention that could kill thousands. It is a fast-paced, action-packed, character-driven thriller, that I hope will make you laugh out loud, cringe, cry and cheer. It came about as I told my wife that I had an idea for a thriller and she said 'write it already or get a job.'

8. What’s your current writing project?

The second Ethan Justice book, Relentless, is being edited. This time around Ethan and Savannah end up in a dangerous cat-and-mouse game of pursuit and survival when they cross paths with Richard Windal, a cool, confident and highly influential yet psychotic entrepreneur.

I have also written a few thousand words for my third action thriller about a man who has fallen on hard times in the current financial crisis. He gets recruited as an assassin to pay the bills, but all is not as it seems!

9. What book(s) are you currently reading?

Disappear by Iain Edward Henn. It's a mystery thriller that’s taken me on an enjoyable journey so far and I'm hoping for a great ending.

10. Who or what inspires your writing?

I get a lot of inspiration from movies, other books, life, news items, my wife and my son (although most of his ideas are just crazy –what imaginations 12 year olds have – he loves to help though). I enjoy basing some of my less likeable characters on people that have annoyed me. I tend to rename them, disguise them, and then have them bumped off by my antagonist. It's highly therapeutic!

Finally, is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read your published stories, buy your book, etc.

I would like to thank everyone who has read Ethan Justice: Origins so far and would love to hear from them as well as any readers who just want to chat about and share recommendations for other thrillers. I’ve recently decided to try out Twitter so if anyone wants to say ‘Hi’ there that would be great (@simonrjenner). I’m also on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/SimonJennerAuthor). If you haven’t read Ethan Justice: Origins yet, it is available on Amazon but I’m giving away a free e-copy to the first 10 people to contact me via my website - http://simonjenner.com/contact/ - please mention this interview! It should be out in paperback very soon too – I’m actually at home today waiting for the proof to be delivered – it’s very exciting!

Thanks, Simon, for sharing your books. Best of luck and come visit with us again when Relentless is ready.

Be sure to follow Simon on Twitter and check out his Facebook page for the latest updates.

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