“The Collectors” by Greg Jolley
January 13th,2021
What is the hardest part of writing your books?
While there are many creative challenges from the initial research to the final edits, I can honestly say it is always satisfying and rarely difficult. For “The Collectors,” my involvement with the publicist’s efforts are a little distracting, but that’s because I’m currently in the middle of a new write. The plus side is hearing from readers and reviewers and learning from their questions and comments.
What songs are most played on your Ipod?
For “The Collectors” it was Steely Dan. The write needed the complex, colorful and edgy jazz and heartbeat rhythms that the band loved to work with. While I didn’t listen closely, I did hear sparks of the caustic lyrics that can only encourage.
Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
I work closely with a hired professional editor before a book goes to my publishers, who then do additional editing. She and I have done several titles together, going through the book three time, back and forth. She is not only brilliant with grammar and punctuation, but invaluable because of her skill at pointing out continuity concerns.
What book are you reading now?
All research. Truth be told, I rarely and only selectively read fiction. I’m in the middle of writing the “Chas Danser” novel so I’m studying the history of the doomed French attempt to establish Fort Caroline, Florida, in 1565. It’s a bloody and tragic story of classing nations and religious fervors.
How did you start your writing career?
It just made sense at the time, having been a compulsive reader through all my youth. I was in my mid-twenties – the days of typewriters – and started by writing sketches of locations, characters and events. After several months, I waded in to the actual write, no genre in mind, working with the skeleton and ingredients I knew I could bring to life. Quite simply, it was life changing.
Tell us about your next release
“Thieves” is scheduled to be released February 15th, 2021. This is the first of three novels making up the Obscurité de Floride Trilogy, which will all be published during 2021. While the schedule is aggressive, I’m positively jazzed to be getting these into my reader’s hands.
gregjolley 