TThis month sees the release of our hotly anticipated action thriller, Push Back by James Marx. To celebrate the launch, James agreed to take time away from writing the sequel to answer a few of our questions.
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Q&A with James Marx
Tell us a bit about yourself – how did you start writing and why?
I first remember enjoying writing fiction way back in my pre-teenage years; with adventure stories inspired by Where Eagles Dare, The Italian Job, and The Beano. I’m not sure I’ve changed much.
From there I was heavily influenced by reading lots of Alistair MacLean and Desmond Bagley novels, and remember filling one-and-a-half exercise books with an action-adventure tale for some English homework. I think the teacher might have been looking for writing inspired more by classic literature, but I wrote what I did because I enjoyed it. I tried to emulate what I read.
Another story-telling influence was playing Dungeons and Dragons. I gravitated more towards being the Games Master and the creation of plot-driven stories for friends to play through. It was a great way to learn how to properly pace an adventure, though in those early days I got it wrong more than I got it right. It was also huge fun to create and portray a myriad of interesting characters and make the fantasy world come alive.
Most of my adult life I’ve continued writing; whether it is short stories, occasional poems or song lyrics, and of course the creation of various role-playing adventures to play out with friends.
In 2009 I was made redundant, but that became more of an opportunity than a problem. I enjoyed the change of pace in being a handyman and gardener, which allowed time to not only listen to more audiobooks as I worked but think up more of my own stories too.
I did this for a few years until the chance to set up a Film and Photography studio with a good friend opened up, and we embarked upon making the business a profitable endeavour as well as having a great deal of fun working together. But whilst doing this I was also concentrating on my writing and was enjoying that more and more, to the point where I wanted to spend a lot more time doing that. Although we had made a great success of the studio we both decided we wanted a change. The time was right and in effect we both retired.
This has meant I now consider my job to be that of a writer – and it is a brilliant feeling and experience!
I write stories that appeal to me. I don’t think of what I create as literature, nor do I feel they are particularly clever – but I do try to make them accessible and fun reads. Tales that thrill and excite and keep readers turning those pages.
And yes, I still craft plots and characters for the weekly role-playing group that I love being a part of.
How did you come up with the inspiration for Push Back?
The inspiration was, quite literally: random (and yes, I do mean literally!). As a fun exercise for our local writing group, I came up with a random story generator involving a rolling a twenty-sided die (the sort used in Dungeons and Dragons) for different story aspects. My own challenge came up with “Grandfather kidnaps crazy partner using a wheelchair”.
Like I said: Random.
Those who have already read Push Back will be scratching their heads puzzling over how it all fits in, but all writing has to evolve and this story certainly did. From the initial concept the ‘grandfather’ became an uncle, but the rest you’ll have to work out yourself.
It was one of those tales that grew and grew the more I thought about it. The character of Dean Riley became someone I felt a real connection to and the canvas of the plot broadened to accommodate the evolution of the story.
How would you summarise Push Back?
On some levels the story could be compared with ‘Taken’, but it isn’t as clear cut as that. There is more going on behind the scenes, which Dean Riley has to unravel.
Ultimately it’s a tale about a well trained and talented guy who rises to meet a threat against all the family he has; facing enemies from his past that are a greater threat than he imagined, and making new foes along the way.
Personally, I consider it to be an action-thriller, even though there are plenty of elements that fall into the crime-thriller and mystery-thriller genres there as well. They are all part of the plot and drive the reason why things happen.
Is Dean Riley – the main character in Push Back – based on anyone you know?
No.
But like most writers, our characters are a mix of different people with a measure of our own personality or take on a personality type thrown in. There’s inspiration from Dirty Harry, Jack Bauer and almost every Liam Neeson tough-guy role.
I guess there’s also some of me in him, however Riley is way tougher and far more resilient – even though he’s just a little older. Plus he’s had plenty of training that help him be the plausible action hero he is. As Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson in Taken) would say, he has “a very particular set of skills.”
However he certainly has his faults and doesn’t always make the right decision. In that aspect he is very much like me! There’s plenty of scope for his character to grow and evolve further now he’s ‘retired’ and no longer within the structured worlds of the US Rangers or the Police.
Tell us about your writing routine and where you tend to write
What works well for me is being sat the other side of the dining table to Anna, my wonderful wife, as she now spends a lot more time working from home. With us both sat there together I find this has increased my productivity – especially as she keeps reminding me that this is what I do. Her ongoing support and encouragement means a lot to me.
Of course jobs around the home and garden, car maintenance, and keeping an eye on my parents can all take their toll on the writing time available but at least I am fortunate in that I can juggle my time to find the best fit.
I’m lucky, I know it, and am thankful.
How did you find the editing and publication process?
(Don’t worry about hurting our feelings – we’ve got thick skins…!)
This is how the editing and publication process should be. Though still professional it feels relaxed and low pressure – unlike what some of my other author friends have experienced with other publishers.
This suits me just fine, especially as I have Asperger Syndrome and find it hard to cope with too much stress and pressure.
What’s next in the pipeline for you?
Dean Riley book two. That’s a definite – with the first draft getting close to completion. I also have outlined books three and four, so you can expect more from Dean Riley.
However there are many other novels I also have outlines for and am keen to write. Such diverse stories as a stand-alone action-thriller (very Die Hard-esque), a sci-fi horror, and even a contemporary fantasy-romance (no, seriously).
QUICK FIRE ROUND (One word answer):
Plotter or pantser?
Plotster.
See what I did there 😉
Pen or keyboard?
Keyboard.
Character or plot?
Plot.
But there has to be a compelling character too. Can’t have one without the other.
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird.
Crossword or Sudoko?
Crossword.
Asking questions or answering questions?
Asking.
Thanks James. Push Back is out now in all good bookstores and you can find out all about it by clicking here.
Until next time… Stay lucky – and stay safe…
Pete & Si
