Today, Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest  James (Jim) Raven.  Jim lives in the UK and has been a  journalist for most of his working life.  After reporting for newspapers he moved into television as a news scriptwriter. He then worked his way up to become Director of a UK News Division. James has his own TV production company but spends most of his time writing. Malicious his latest crime thriller.

Norm:

Good day Jim and thanks for participating in our interview

How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going?

Jim:

I felt the urge to write from an early age and finished my first book at the age of fifteen but it wasn't good enough to send to a publisher. Things got serious for me when my parents bought me a typewriter for Christmas. I keep going because I enjoy making up stories. It's as simple as that, although I don’t find the process particularly easy. Every book is a slog - but an enjoyable one.

Norm:

How has your career as a journalist influenced your writing of crime novels and why have you been drawn to writing crime thrillers?

Jim:

I've always enjoyed writing crime thrillers, probably because I enjoy reading them. In fact it's the only genre I've ever read. Being a newspaper reporter helped a great deal at the start because it gave me an insight into such things as crime scenes and police procedures. I often covered crime stories when I worked for a news agency in London.

Norm:

Is your work improvisational or do you have a set plan?


Jim:

I first come up with an idea and then do a bit of research. Then I work out a plot and develop the characters. But as soon as I start writing things change and the story goes all over the place. I have to keep a notepad next to the bed because a lot of ideas come to me during the night.

Norm:

Are you a plot or character writer?

Jim:

I guess I'm mainly a plot writer, but I do like to create interesting characters.

Norm:

Do you find it easy reading back your own work?

Jim:

I don't find it particularly difficult, but I am forever changing things as I go along. I read through the entire manuscript about four times on average before I'm satisfied enough to send it off.

Norm:

What has been the best part about being published?

Jim:

Ebooks are great, but the best part of the whole process is to see your finished novel as a hardback or paperback. The satisfaction is immense.  

Norm:

What served as the primary inspiration for Malicious?

Jim:

Early in 2013 I came across a newspaper report about a woman whose computer webcam had been hacked. The hacker had recorded her in compromising positions in her bedroom and was blackmailing her. I did some research and realized that it was going on quite a lot all over the world. This gave me the idea for the book.

Norm:

How did you go about creating your protagonist Robyn Tate in Malicious? Is the character based on someone you know?

Jim:

The plot dictated that the protagonist had to be a woman and at first she was going to be an ordinary housewife. But then I realized that the story would work better if she was a detective. I based her in Houston because my daughter lives there and I know the area quite well. My previous novel, After the Execution, is also set in Texas. Robyn isn't actually based on anyone I know.

Norm:

What was the most difficult part of writing Malicious and what helped you focus when you were writing the novel?

Jim:

I suppose the most difficult parts were those where Robyn was having sex with herself in front of the computer. These are far more explicit than anything I've written in my previous books. But knowing I had to get them right helped me to focus.

Norm:

What would you like to say to writers who are reading this interview and wondering if they can keep creating, if they are good enough, if their voices and visions matter enough to share?

Jim:

If you enjoy writing then just keep at it. It's never easy but the more you do it the better you become. And remember that you don't have to be a Nobel prizewinner to produce a cracking book that lots of people want to read. If fact you never really know how popular your book is going to be until it's published.

Norm:

What is next for Jim Raven and where can our readers find out more about you and your novels?

Jim:

My next book is called Random Targets and will be published by Robert Hale of London in hardback next September, followed by the ebook in October. This book is about a sniper who shoots at drivers on a motorway, causing mayhem. Details about my other novels can be found on my WEBSITE

Norm:

As this interview draws to a close what one question would you have liked me to ask you? Please share your answer.

Jim:

That question would be: Do you think you will one day sell a million copies of one of your books. My answer would be: I live in hope.

Norm:

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors


Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of Malicious

Follow Here To Purchase MALICIOUS