It’s not every day that you get to interview a world-famous author in Benoni, so I was thrilled to seize the opportunity to meet internationally bestselling crime fiction author John Connolly.
He was on a brief visit to South Africa, which included staying at the Northmead home of the family of his partner, former City Times journalist Jennifer Ridyard, where we sat and chatted for two hours.
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Q & A with John Connolly
Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym?
Listen to John Connolly’s answer here
What is the best thing you have ever spent money on as a writer?
Listen to John Connolly’s answer here
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Listen to John Connolly’s answer here
What comes first, the title or the story?
It depends. Sometimes the title, sometimes the story.
Your view on South African crime fiction authors?
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting quite a few. There are many good ones, like thriller novelist Deon Meyer and Lauren Beukes, and SA crime writers actually have a very wide audience outside of South Africa.
Would you ever consider using South Africa as a backdrop to one of your books?
It’s not inconceivable. I have a thriller in the works which may be set in many different locations … possibly South Africa too.
What do you think of South Africa?
It is an extraordinary, friendly and beautiful country.
Does writing energise or exhaust you?
It’s like going to the gym – I’m always happy to have done it. It’s better than any job I’ve ever had.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Not finishing things; abandoning a project due to self doubt. The more projects you abandon the less likely you are to finish anything.
Do you have any unfinished work lying around?
No.
When do you find time to read?
I’m pretty good at snatching time to read. I set myself a target of 100 books a year, which I always achieve or exceed. For anyone who has fallen out of the habit of reading, setting a target and keeping record of what you’ve read is a great way to get back into reading regularly.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I’d tell him he found his way and that it is not actually possible to die of embarrassment.
How many hours a day do you write?
I write almost every day and set myself targets, which are important to meet. My latest book, A Book of Bones, is 205 000 words and to get to that point is a baby-steps process.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
About a year.
Do you read your book reviews?
Not anymore, although I did when He was released. Reviews and opinions are not the same thing and neither is going to influence how I write.
Is it good for a writer to have a big ego?
You certainly need an amount of ego to put your book on the shelf and expect people to pay for it and give up their time to read it – this always finely balanced with the “I’m not worthy” thoughts.
Does your family support your career as a writer?
My career supports my family.
What do you think is lacking in Benoni?
I wish the town could sustain a new-book store. There are plenty of second-hand stores, but new writers need people to spend money on their books.
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