Andre Jones
Melbourne, Victoria
Australia
Good morning, Andre, and welcome to Vision and Verse. Can you tell us a little about what you’ve written?
Six novels – The Seven Portal Series – a three-book epic fantasy (not a trilogy as there is room for expansion) spanning the world of fantasy with a smattering of Sci-Fi, time travel, paradox and apocalyptic Earth in 2430.
The Death Wave Chronicles – an urban fantasy of six novels (3 complete). Sort of a Tomb Raider meets Indiana Jones meets Warehouse 13 meets X Files mash. A combination of mythology, weird science, fringe science and pseudo-science.
What is your favourite genre to write?
Epic fantasy and Sci-Fi, though I am also dabbling in horror, and steampunk.
Favourite food.
Coffee.
What, it isn’t a ‘food’? ... better make it Nachos then.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee
Pizza or ice cream?
Pizza
Wine or beer or soda or what?
French (or any European) wine … or Gin.
Where would you like to visit?
Mars … but most places on this globe will suffice. (I’ve seen a lot during my Navy days).
Favourite musical artist.
You’d not know him, but Mike Oldfield ever since Tubular Bells(1969), Lorreena McKennit, and Dire Straits …
Do you listen to music when you write?
Always.
What?
Mostly instrumentals, soundtracks etc … nothing (generally) with lyrics as they distract too much.
What makes you laugh?
Odd things. (Dark humour) … yes, I have a dark soul.
Basically, when karma strikes the idiots.
Favourite work of art or sculpture.
Not one for the ‘fine arts’. I couldn’t name a thing … I mean, as a bit of an artist I can appreciate the work going into it, but nothing grabs me.
How old were you when you started writing?
I started writing around 1997; I joined the Navy and couldn’t roleplay … so turned my time and imagination to a story in my head. I was 36. However, I dabbled on and off for twenty years before I got serious. During our Covid lockdowns I wrote and published six novels; may as well make a positive out of all the negative.
Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
Generally, just write with a basic idea of plot and an ending; I wing it from there. It works most of the time. When I find myself stumped — don’t you hate it when the characters go off on a tangent?! — I’ll move on to another scene in my head and at some stage go back to where I left it.
Describe your perfect evening.
Alone, with a gin (or two) … or wine, music and my computer, oh and a good connection with my Muse!.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Everywhere and anything. After a movie or book I consider various plots. For instance, I watched Black Sails, and am considering an all-female crew on a pirate ship where the meanest of male pirates will baulk when they see them on the horizon.
Yes, I have included people who have wronged me – and in my books they tend to have slow and horrible deaths. ;)
What do you do when you get a writer's block?
I feel writer’s block comes when I’ve written myself into a corner, or I’ve strayed from the path and got lost. If I go back a few pages… perhaps I can get back on track … otherwise I write something else to take my mind off it.
Or I get out the pens and draw.
Who is your favourite author?
Too many. Some authors have written both outstanding books and so-so books … however, Azimov, Heinlein, Aldiss .. Stephen Donaldson, Raymond Feist, Guy GavrielKay … Anne McCaffery, Glend Larke (Noramly), Pete Aldinare my go-to preferences. (I’m sure I’ve missed quite a few)
Best book you ever read.
(Other than my own … I still get chills and laughs when I re-read them …)
Hmm… I really liked the Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay; also The Gap Series, by Stephen Donaldson.
Last book you read.
The Assassin Thief by Madeline Te Whiu (another emerging Australian author)
What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
Well, I’m now a retired Navy Veteran on a decent pension and no debts …. But I also draw and potter. I could get into gardening and sustainable living. So, lots of choices and not enough daylight.
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
No one comes to mind. Sad, I know. I didn’t have a strong ‘family unit’ during my disrupted childhood, so nothing ‘inspirational’ from my parents or family.
My wife of 37 years has stuck by me through thick-and-thin and strongly encourages my writing (though she doesn’t read ‘that crap’).
Science-wise David Suzuki, and sustainable living from Bill Mollison.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
I guess it would be Isaac Azimov (though his academic ability would daunt me), but he was such a prodigious writer… tapping into that wealth of knowledge could only be a benefit to my meagre efforts.
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Just keep writing. You can’t edit what hasn’t been written.
When you want to run a marathon, you can’t simply throw on some shoes and do it; you have to train slowly and build up your endurance/stamina … writing is the same. Your first book .. or several, might be duds, but it is never wasted, it’s all experience.
Do you have some links for us to follow you?
(social media links to your amazon, Facebook, whatever else you want publicized)
My website:
https://andrejonesauthor.site
Social media:
https://www.facebook.com/ozwyvern
https://www.instagram.com/aa_jones_author/
VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER
Note:
Vision and Verse does not store any personal information like email addresses, home addresses, etc. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.
