"Personal" question(s) to John Jarrold

[Karen Dales]

Thanks so much, John!

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Some of the music would change every day (as would a list of my favourite films), but today:....

.... Not bothered about a luxury, as long as I have the complete Shakespeare!

Thanks for that john. I'm suprised about the luxury - No secret desires for a pile of submissions or a typewriter or just a comfy chair

(no not the comfy chair... den den deeeer)

[John Jarrold]

Maybe some soft cushions...

[John Jarrold]

Originally Posted by Ian Whates

Hey, I see that the 'Personal' questions to John Jarrold thread has taken on e whole new, very literal meaning...

So what is your favourite colour, John?

Blue...

[Jon Rowlands]

Hi John,

Firstly, it was great to meet you at the Lincoln Book Festival a few months back and once again, thanks for the advice. I've been keeping an eye on all the interesting discussions here and found it really useful.

This is maybe a little off-topic, but here goes anyway; what can an aspiring writer such as myself do to protect the copyright of the work they are busily tweaking, refining and (hopefully) sending out to the far reaches and beyond? I know copyright law says that, basically once you have created something it is your intellectual copyright (providing it is not infringing anyone else's!), but what can I do practically? Am I missing an obvious trick?

At the moment I email copies to myself periodically so I have a dated version to fall back on, but it all seems aimed at proving material is yours once it's being disputed. Are there any preventative measures I can take? Of course, whether anyone would actually want to nick my words is another matter...!

Best wishes,
Jon Rowlands

[John Jarrold]

In the twenty years I've worked in publishing I have only once personally come across anyone stealing someone else's writing - and that was something already in print. There's a complete section on copyright in The Writers and Artists Yearbook, so have a look at that. It really isn't a common problem...

Good to meet you in May, too, Jon!

[Jon Rowlands]

Thanks John, will check it out. Handy to know it's not the major problem I'd thought.

What was that line in The X Files, "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you"?!

Incidentally, I'm working through my draft, based on your advice and having a real drive at PoV; I see now why it is so vital to every facet of the writing. I'm finding it helps add so much depth to the piece and by moving strategically from third to first person occasionally, it can create this punchy dialogue between author and character, that the reader is welcomed into.

Thanks again.

[scalem X]

Thanks John, will check it out. Handy to know it's not the major problem I'd thought.

What was that line in The X Files, "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you"?!

Yeah well it is indeed not common. I would laugh so hard at a guy stealing my work then sending it off just to get tons of rejection letters. Maybe I'll write a short story about that one, it would be so funny.

[Sylvetra_Snake]

Is it often a good idea to get some credentials when trying to get the main novel seen by an agent and publisher? I have written some short stories and am going to see if i can get them into magazines and such, just as a few extra notes on the bio.

[John Jarrold]

It won't make the difference between your novel being taken on or not, but it can't hurt, as long as you enjoy writing short fiction. Mainstream publishers and the national buyers at the book chains don't care about short fiction - only that the novel itself is wonderful. Most of the debut novels I've sold in the last two years are by authors who have never had short fiction published.

[Sylvetra_Snake]

Righteo. I will continue on with the main novels, with ideas stretching to having a four-book series. The short stories i will do too but my main concentration lies with the current series i am writing.

[John Jarrold]

Yes, each writer should do what works for them, but be aware that novels are Where It's At, commercially speaking. If you enjoy writing short fiction, do it by all means. But no one should force themselves to write short stories if they don't enjoy it, simply to try to raise their profile.

[John Jarrold]

An interesting piece by Iain Banks about the early days of his writing career, pre-Wasp Factory:

Iain Banks on how practising with SF led to The Wasp Factory | Culture | The Guardian

[Scarfy]

I'm reading Wasp Factory at the moment. On the last chapter now. Very good read, if a little unsettling in places...

[Troo]

It's a shame he doesn't then complete the article with "And now I write ******* awesome SF too".