Saturday, February 16, 2013

Interview with Author John Sealey

What inspired you to write your first book? I have spent my entire working life in the film and television industry, beginning in the cutting rooms, becoming a film editor, working on many international feature films, as well as major filmed television series. I then decided to widen my scope, and moved into production becoming an assistant director, then moving into production management becoming a production manager, production supervisor, associate producer, and finally producer, working with many of the major US and British companies.
Now semi retired living in Deal, Kent, I have my creative mind to writing, starting with the adaptation of bestselling author Anne Perry's quintet of books, 'No Graves As Yet' 'Angels In The Gloom' 'At Some Disputed Barricade' 'Shoulder The Sky' 'We Shall Not Sleep' a murder mystery thriller, spanning the First World War into an epic television series. Anne Perry considers it to be the best adaptation of any of her books.
I then went on to research and write my his first serious novel 'A Cuckoo Returns' a story based on fact about the German invasion of Norway now published.
I have now completed two further novels "Behind The Game" set in Mumbai, India, a story that explores the heartaches, the joys, the sorrows, the successes, the failures, the passions, the intrigues, the drugs, and the intricate and crooked dealings of the financial world, that motivates and influences the game of cricket.
' The Redundant Fugitive' set in India and Kent in the UK a story of a good man with values, who having been made redundant is innocently drawn into a world of crime.
I am now working on my fourth novel "The Blighted Knuckles" set in the Victorian era, a story of two men, one white and one black drawn together by different circumstances become bare knuckle fighters who throughout their success vow never to fight each other, but those of the aristocracy who finance the fights have different ideas as it could be the biggest money making opportunity of all time. Even the Prince Regent is keen to see it happen.
Over a period I have also written several screenplays "Allo Allo" "A Rainy Day In New York" "Country Wrestler" "The Man Who Was Magic" and co-written "Catesby's Holy War"
I was recently invited to co-write with Bill Rebane producer of 'Murder On Silver Street' a Drama Doc for American Company Independent Artist now in post production. The Drama Doc has created such an interest that it is being considered for development as a major television series. John is a Freeman of the City of London

Do you have a specific writing style? Yes, I suppose so, although every book is different, so depending on the subject matter the style can change.

How did you come up with the title? The title comes from the phrase Churchill is rumored to have said about the in vain of Norway. "Vengeful Cuckoos coming back to foul the nests that once gave them sanctuary"

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? Mankind must put an end to war, before war puts an end to mankind

How much of the book is realistic? Quite a lot as much of the book is based on fact

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? No

What books have most influenced your life most? I am a great fan of Anne Perry, particularly her quintet of books set in the First World War, Ken Follet who I had the pleasure of working with. Others that have influenced me are Geoffrey Archer, Sydney Sheldon, Jack Higgins, Lee Child, Chris Ryan, Catherine Cookson, Danielle Steel, Susan Sloan etc,

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? Most definitely Anne Perry What book are you reading now? At the moment I am reading a collection of books about 19th century Ireland and Victorian London and its vices researching for my next book.

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Not as yet.

What are your current projects? I have just written a children's book which is now being illustrated ready for publication as well as "Blighted Knuckles" which I am busy researching

Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. Geoff Miles MD of Maidstone Television Studios who has also encouraged me to write.

Do you see writing as a career? Most definitely

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Yes, because anyone who doesn't think they can improve on what they have done, find themselves with nowhere to go.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? It started when I read a script I was to direct and felt I could have written it better, so finished up writing a new script and adapting into a book.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? Anne Perry, her detailed description of the period she is writing about. Ken Follet a great thriller writer that makes you want to keep turning the page. Geoffrey Archer who has the ability to write in an easy narrative.

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)? I have been lucky to have travelled to some interesting paces during my film and tv career, but not so far for my books

Who designed the covers? F W Besch a very dear friend of mine, a tv cameraman who likes making up pictures. I told him my visualisation and he happily did the rest. The design of the cover was most important because of the title "A Cuckoo Returns" otherwise readers might have mistook the title and thought it was all about birds.

What was the hardest part of writing your book? Nothing really I enjoyed writing it

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? That war benefits no one

Do you have any advice for other writers? Just believe in what you're doing.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? I sincerely hope they enjoy reading it and learn a little of the suffering that went on in the occupied territories.

What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life? Research, making sure as best you can the facts are right.