Fighting Prose Interview with James Hanford!

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.

IMG_5663 (2).jpg — James Hanford

is my interview this week!

How long have you been writing?

For most of my life, but only seriously since December 2011. Before then, I enjoyed writing poetry (probably quite badly) to express my thoughts. From December 2011 I have taken my fictional novel writing as seriously as possible given that it can only be considered a hobby given that I have a pressurised full time job.

If you've written several books, which is your favorite?

My favourite book always seems to be the most recent because that is the one that I am currently most excited about and the one that I think is possibly the best so far because I think that I am always improving in how I write. Consequently, depending on how you look at it, my favourite is either Intervention: Foggy Outlook (which is completed but not yet published), or Intervention: Murky Depths which is published. However, my first ever book (Intervention: The King Pin) will always hold a special place because that is the one that got me writing!

What's your favorite genre to read? Write?

Crime fiction for both, although I do occasionally read other genres to experience other styles of writing.

How do you get in the mood to write?

By ensuring that I do not have any pressing work or personal matters hanging over me that just cannot wait and need addressing or are plaguing my mind. Holidays and lazy weekends are the best and once I'm on a roll that momentum keeps me going.

How do your characters come together?

When I write I become fully absorbed and the characters build themselves over time, responding to the circumstances in which they find themselves. I always want those circumstances to be as believable as possible, albeit pushing the outer limits of believability.

How do you get your ideas?

By letting my imagination get carried away with 'what if' scenarios, catastrophising real world experiences and situations merging personal experiences with what I read or hear on the world news and what I read and watch in books and movies.

Who do you admire in the writing world?

Gosh, that's a hard questions to answer because there are so many authors that I admire. If I have to select one person it will have to be Stella Rimmington because all of the plots are different despite having the same characters, which is something that I try to replicate.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

Outside of my day job as a corporate real estate professional, I like to spend time in the garden pottering about (I don't know much about gardening, but I do enjoy it). I also like hiking in the mountains around my wife's hometown when we go there on holiday, as well as just messing about, joking and or chilling with my wife and two sons.

Have you always been creative?

Yes, I have always had a creative streak in me, whether sketching with a pencil (usually badly) or writing. As mentioned earlier, initially my writing was poetry as a way to express my feelings, although I had always wanted to write a novel but nothing ever came of my attempts until December 2011 when the ideas started flowing and my fingers just kept on typing!

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, how did you get out of it?

I've had writer's block a great many times. Because I don't have any set deadlines (although I dream of having a publishing deal that gives deadlines) I take a break and spend time gardening, hiking, reading, watching movies or spending time with the family to completely clear my mind.

When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?

Provided that I am not disturbed or distracted and have a direction sketched out in my tracking tool and my mind then writing mostly comes easily. I completely lose myself in the characters and the plot that I forget the real world for the time I am writing. Sometimes, it is a real wrench to have to leave and come back to reality!

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

Don't over-think what you want to do: have a high-level plan and then start writing by immersing yourself into the world of that plan allowing the characters to lead the way and shut out any potential distractions.

What is your dream writing location?

A quiet, sunny, bright and airy room with a view out to nature over a lake and towards mountains.

In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?

Where do I get my ideas from and how do I find the time in equal measure.

If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?

Laura Harding, who is one half of the heroic duo. I really like the individual who is Laura: she is calculatingly daring, quickly weighing up the dangers or risks while absolutely willing to jump in at the deep end and get stuck into the action even if the odds are stacked against her. Laura is also athletic, intelligent and considerate with a romantic yearning for her partner but is concerned about expressing it in case by doing so it damages their relationship.

What do you think makes a good story?

A strong plot and direction with a number of sub plots that keeps the reader guessing until the end.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I was always such a dreamer that I never really had a focus for a future career until my father wonderfully arranged for me to have some work experience with two very different organisations. Structured work experience didn't exist when I was at school in the way that it does today.