Author Interview: John Kimbrey

What is your favourite thing about writing books?
The creativity in developing storylines and characters, is undoubtedly, the single most exhilarating part of writing.

I don’t plan the direction my stories are heading, quite the opposite! I feel lucky that I am able to sit down, start writing and ideas begin to flow naturally in all manner of creative ways. I build in many sequences to hold the reader’s attention, with twists and turns, developing many characters along the way. Having said that, sometimes whilst puzzling a solution to a direction I am heading, sometimes over several weeks, unexpected solutions spring to mind, when I leased expect them. I have for example, had to pull off the road whilst driving, on more than one occasion, to write down some notes, following an epiphany that has crept into my mind.   

Who is your favourite character in your book and why?
As an ex-Military man, the bond between comrades in arms whilst serving, is something that never fades and is taken forward throughout one’s life. I developed private Frank Smith in memory of my Grandfather, who served in the British army in and around, WW1. His name was; Sgt Frank Smith!

I created his character to portray a man who comes from poor beginnings but thrives in any challenge. He had to be supportive to his fellow soldiers, stopping at nothing to defend his friends and comrades when in peril. A loyal and professional soldier, well-liked by his peers, honourable to the end.

What is your favourite drink to consume while writing?
I don’t have one…

Do you have any bad habits while you’re writing?
I tweak things too much.

How do you research your books?
Primarily on-line, keeping many research pages open on my Mac book, to constantly re-read, as necessary. I also used some of my own military experience for some storylines and characters whom I served with, even at times, using their actual names within the manuscript.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Absolutely the latter…

If you could live in any fictional world, which would you choose and why?
Egypt, 2500 years ago:

I was always fascinated by reading Wilbur Smith novels in my younger years, particularly those centred in Egypt. The River God was my first experience of a totally absorbing novel, that I read with a passion. The unbelievable structure, creativity and thunderous impact it had on me was total. I felt as though I was actually there and wanting to be!   

If you could befriend any fictional character, who would you choose and why?
The main character in the River God, by Wilbur Smith, was a Eunuch, called Taita. He was a very intelligent Eunuch, castrated by his Pharaoh, to protect those closest to him. He became the most powerful servant in all of Egypt, trusted by his Pharaoh, and, by the God’s.