MY INTERVIEW FOR THE WEBSITE- 'STRUGGLING AUTHORS' WITH RICHARD GRAYLING

Jane E Hill has written the first of her ‘alternative ending’ books entitled, So Here I Stand.

"Originally born in North London, Jane escaped an unhappy childhood using her writing. Through adult life, ingenuous to most, the pen was never far from her hand. With annotations scrawled in restricted notebooks, her passion for writing was kept alive. Unable to publish any of her work during a troublesome and violent first marriage, she held on to these notebooks. Now happily married again and residing in Kent, her efforts are offered in this first publication".

[RG] Hi Jane. So, firstly, could you tell us a little bit more about the alternative-ending concept in your book, please.

The idea for the alternative ending developed due to the reoccurring question I continuously asked myself, ‘Why is it upon arrival at the end of a film or book the conclusion is never one you would select necessarily by choice?’ The ending to a book or film with a single conclusion is normally one, which is expected.

The alternative ending is a unique idea, for the first time the reader can complete the beginning, and middle sections of the story and once arriving upon the conclusion is faced with the opportunity to decide the fate of the characters for himself. Drawing upon the end of many books, (as I am sure many readers have) I have on countless occasions felt the overwhelming disappointment when the outcome was not one, which was expected. How many readers have read a book and thought to themselves: ‘I could write an unrivalled climax surpassing that one?’ The odds become greatly compromised with a choice of two endings. The probability the reader will enjoy at least one of the two endings is at best 50%.

[RG] Your book is self published. Can you tell me a little bit about the process you went through to get your work on the shelves.

Self-publishing ‘So, Here I Stand’ was a long and tedious process. Originally handwritten, the manuscript was in need of typing before the publishers would even consider looking at it. Once they were in receipt of the typed document, I was informed it was in the incorrect format. Upon alterations the manuscript was revised a number of times and returned. I signed off each and every part of the process to agree the final adjustments. The additional entry into Waterstones was also a time consuming process. The information relating to my book was sent through a data site and this updates all the online bookstores and some associated bookstore information sites. The information regarding my book has been despatched and has only been received by certain online stores but not others as yet. I am informed this can take up to 30 business days.

The cover was also a lengthy process. Sifting through hundreds of stockpile photographs until I could find a satisfactory selection of combined images to connect the cover to my storyline. The cover is my first port of contact between the reader and myself as the Author and is vitally important. The cover also has to represent the story and has to be significant to the content contained within. Fortunately, after some hours spent searching I discovered the images you now see on the cover of my book.

[RG] What are your writing habits? Are you a morning scribbler or a night owl?

Everyday from morning to afternoon I can be found writing. Intellectual conversation can arouse a spontaneous urge to scribble at any time of the day or night and an unorthodox need to write.

[RG] What are you working on at the moment? Do you have any more alternative ending books in the pipeline?

‘So, Here I Stand’ stems into two sequels and I am working on both of these storylines concurrently. Due to the complexity of these books and the fact these books both again have ‘alternative-endings’ it is inevitable they are written simultaneously.

The basis of these sequels is to provide the reader with the ability to choose either sequel to continue the story from ‘So, Here I Stand’ regardless of which one is selected the story will be maintained. Therefore, the reader can select the original ending in ‘So, Here I Stand’ and continue the story in the second sequel or read the alternative ending and select the first sequel. Either book will continue the plot regardless.

Both sequels will again provide the reader with an original ending and an alternative ending and the possibility to create his own fictional thriller.

[RG] Last but not least, what keeps you going when the ‘doubt fairy’ creeps in? How do you keep plugging away at the page?

Escaping into my writing is therapeutic and relaxing. I have no problems with ‘doubt faeries’ or ‘walls’, I simply open the laptop returning to the sentence I had previously written and continue my work. My only one real frustration is I can never seem to type fast enough to express in words the sentences I would like to compose my story.

Writing should always be pleasurable and effortless and when it becomes a chore, there is always a threat the Author will not find it quite so enjoyable anymore.

Many thanks for your time, Jane

Richard Grayling