Embracing Obstacles
The Next Big Thing Writers' Blog Hop - An Interview with Jan Andersen
by Jan Andersen on 12/08/12
My friend, author and publisher Shahida Rahman kindly invited me to participate in 'The Next Big Thing' Blog Hop, which gives writers and aspiring authors the opportunity to talk about their next books by answering 10 standard questions. (Thank you Shahida). They then tag other writers who answer the same questions and so on. It's rather like the old chain letters that used to circulate when I was at school (and inevitably still do, although via email and social networking sites these days). It's a wonderful way to become acquainted with other writers and learn about their current projects.
1. What is the working title of your next book?
I'm actually working on three books at the moment as follows:
a) The first is a follow up to my book Chasing Death: Losing a Child to Suicide (published in October 2009) and is entitled Kristian's Heaven: My Death and Life.
b) The second book is being written purely to raise funds for the charity Young Minds and is entitled Chasing Life: Finding the Light.
c) The third book is a novel entitled Grandad Wise.
2. Where did the idea come from for the book(s)?
a) I wanted to write a more positive sequel to Chasing Death and since the glimmer of hope in the first book comes from the chapter on life after death, I could think of no better storyline that a book written from my late son's perspective of watching his family from the spirit world and letting them know, in subtle ways, that he is still around.
b) When I published Chasing Death, I arranged for one pound sterling of every copy sold to be donated to Kidscape, the UK charity dedicated to protecting children from bullying and abuse. I also wanted to be able to contribute to another brilliant charity, Young Minds, so thought that the best way would be to write another book specifically that they could sell directly through their website, enabling them to retain all funds. Clearly the topic of depression and recovery seemed an obvious one; something that would offer hope to sufferers and their families.
c) The basic idea for this book came from my own wonderful relationship with my paternal grandmother and step grandfather. I wanted to show that some of the most beautiful and powerful relationships transcend age and cultural differences and that the most influential and supportive people in our lives aren't always the closest, or even biological, family members.
3. What genre does your book fall under?
a) Fiction (not entirely sure how else this would be categorised))
b) Non-Fiction; Health, Mind and Body
c) Fiction (Teens and Adults)
4. What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
My imagination has been unleashed now. However, this is a difficult one, because actors who would be perfect for the role now will have aged by the time the movies are made. However, assuming the scripts were written and the movies ready to be filmed, I would choose the following:
a) Kristian's Heaven: Kristian would be played by someone like Alex Pettyfer (Stormbreaker and Wild Child) or Oliver Jackson-Cohen (Lark Rise to Candleford). There is no ulterior motive for selecting stunningly good-looking actors of course, other than the main character is based on my late son who was an extremely handsome young man, so the features would need to be similar. Other actors and actresses.......hmmmmmmm.........Helen Mirren is fabulous; I am certain she would fit in somewhere and perhaps Judy Dench.
b) N/A
c) Grandad Wise: Since the story begins in 1974 and one of the lead characters (Grandad) would be 42, my choice would be any actor who resembles a young Christopher Plummer, since that is the image I had in mind when imagining Grandad's appearance. This character is also born in 1929, the same year as Christopher Plummer, so I suppose that when the story concludes in 2013, he could play the part of Grandad without the need for any prosthetics or special makeup! The young girl (aged 3 at the beginning of the story) would be played by any angelic-looking blonde actress. As a teenager, I would choose Saoirse Una Ronan (Hanna and The Lovely Bones) and Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) for the part of her teacher at Grammar School. (Brief pause whilst I drool pathetically). With the other characters, it would probably be a case of taking younger actors and ageing them artificially as the story progresses, with the exception of the characters who are already older at the beginning. I suppose I would have to kill some of them off before the end of the story!
5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
a) Kristian's Heaven is written in the voice of a young lad who took his own life and, from the spirit world, is watching his family piece their lives back together, whilst seamlessly addressing the countless "Whats, Whys, Wheres and Hows?"; questions that plague a survivor's mind following the loss of a loved one to suicide.
b) A book that offers hope and comfort through personal stories of depression and recovery, along with invaluable (and achievable) strategies for parents on building a child's self-esteem, identifying a child's learning type (multiple intelligences), dealing with bullying and communicating with teenagers.
c) Things aren't always as they seem and karma are the underlying themes of Grandad Wise; a book of dark secrets and surprising twists and turns, which focuses on a young girl's heartwarming relationship with her grandfather; her tireless guide and saviour in an otherwise tumultuous world.
6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
My obvious choice would be my current publisher Shahida Rahman at Perfect Publishers Ltd. As an author herself who understands the pitfalls of publishing, Shahida offers an exemplary service to other writers, not to mention 100% royalties. This has certainly enabled me to raise more funds for charity in a short space of time than would have been possible had I chosen a mainstream publisher. I am not sure whether there would be any additional benefits from being represented by a Literary Agent, but am always open to offers of course!
7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
All the manuscripts are current works in progress. At this stage, I cannot say how long it will take to complete the first drafts. I am not a 9 to 5 writer. My greatest inspiration comes when I am engaged in other tasks, so my notepad and pen are permanent companions - wherever I am! Some of my best ideas come from my dreams.
8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I suppose that the only book I have read that is vaguely similar to Kristian's Heaven is The Lovely Bones, although the situations in the book are completely different. As far as the other books are concerned, I'm not sure. I am so enthused by the concepts that I haven't felt the need to compare them to anything else that may be on the market. Any such comparisons may stifle my creativity in an attempt to make them completely different.
9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
a) Kristian's Heaven is simply a follow on from Chasing Death, which I was prompted to write after losing my son to suicide in November 2002.
b) Again, my son Kristian was the ultimate inspiration behind this book, because had it not been for his suicide then I would probably not have written a book about depression, or strongly felt the need to help a charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
c) Same answer as question 2c.
10. What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?
I believe that all three books will elicit a gamut of emotions in the reader, with elements of "Woah! I never expected that!" Each book covers highly sensitive and moral issues, whilst also providing inspirational quotes and strategies to live by. The aim is that each reader becomes absorbed and takes something positive from the words within.
I'd now like to introduce you to some fabulous fellow authors and friends who have so kindly agreed (not under duress I trust) to participate and give you a glimpse into their creative world.
Dean Fraser-Phillips
Niki Mylonas
Angel La Liberte
