I must also say that the research was fascinating, not a chore in the slightest! My favourite topic was life on the waterways – a style of living that is non-existent in today’s society. That means I hate writing with a biro so I just get tip tap tapping from the off.įor Tethers I spent hours upon hours researching Victorian life because, even though there are strong fantasy elements in the book, I wanted the setting to be realistic. I used a fountain pen all through school and university, and they are sooo slow (but pretty). Straight to the keyboard as I type much faster than I can write.

Pen and paper or straight to the keyboard? It’s just run straight into my little writing area and go, go, go a writing space always helps to get the creative juices flowing I think. I’ll think things like, Where is this going? Is there a resolution? And, most importantly, What are the themes – what is this story actually going to be about? I don’t necessarily need answers straight away, just a kind of feeling that an answer is at least possible.ĭo you have a set routine approaching it? I just dive straight in! I really like to get a couple of pages down, and then sit back and take stock. When you decide to write something new, what is the first thing you do?

He is the author of Tethers, the first in a YA Victorian mystery trilogy and the dark journal, X. Jack grew up in rural Nottinghamshire and after gaining a degree in Environmental Science, decided to change tack somewhat and become a freelance writer and author. Today’s first drafter is author Jack Croxall.

X by Jack Croxall