About Jonathan Cross:
Former journalist Jonathan Cross has worked as a writer and sub-editor on local and national newspapers, and has spent two decades in public relations. He has previously worked for the NHS, ITV and in the media, including the Nottingham Post. Jonathan lives locally with his family, where he currently runs his PR consultancy business. His debut novel is a self-help parody, Making Very Difficult Things Easy To Do, and is published by The Book Guild.
What inspires you to write?
I have been a writer all my working life. Firstly, as a journalist. Secondly, in public relations. Thirdly, I suppose, as an author. I love playing with words.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Bill Bryson. Nick Hornby. Steve Coogan.
Tell us about your writing process.
I write. Let the words flow. I open up a Word doc and I start with the first word. I finish with the last word. I then go back and check whether the words inbetween make sense. Sometimes, they don't.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
My first book's central character is a dog. This is the dog who sleeps under my desk. I talk to him all the time. He's here now as I write. He's snoozing away. The rest of the cast are dogs we have met or imaginary dogs. Dogs are ace.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write. That's it. Write. How do you become better at something? You have to do it. People sell lots of training courses about writing. There's a whole interest in improvement. But you know what works. Be honest. If you're writing is not that good, do something different. I'm not good at mechanics, electrics, plumbing, accountancy, flying, tunnelling, astro physics. I leave that to other people.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Read the Writers and Artists Yearbook (UK) and looked for a publisher that might help me. The Book Guild is a proven, high quality, established, reputable hybrid publisher. I would thoroughly recommend them.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I am only an amateur at this. Lots of other people will know a lot more than me. I don't have the experience or insight to say.
What genres do you write?: Humor, humour and gift
What formats are your books in?: Print
Website(s)
Jonathan Cross Home Page Link
Your Social Media Links
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
