Alison Jack Talks About Dory's Avengers

Alison Jack has spent much of her adult life working in book distribution – Dory’s Avengers, however, is her first foray into the world of books as an author. Aside from writing her own novels and blogging, Alison spends a lot of time editing the work of other authors. When not writing, Alison enjoys reading, playing guitar – with more enthusiasm than skill – and wakeboarding. She lives near Cambridge with her partner and three cats and today she's visiting my blog to answer a few questions that I put to her.

1. Please describe Dory’s Avengers in twenty words.

A brutal regime. A docile population. A band of unlikely heroes and a glimmer of hope. Dory’s Avengers are coming…

2. What is your writing process from inspiration, editing, to feeling your book is ready for publication?

Before I started writing Dory’s Avengers I read plenty of advice from experienced authors, a lot of whom recommended making a detailed plan. It wasn’t long before I realised I am very much a panster author, and my meticulously worked-out plan ended up bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the finished manuscript. Being a daydreamer I’ve always got stories floating around in my head, and when I write it’s simply a matter of choosing and arranging storylines so they make sense. I write my ideas down as quickly as is possible with my limited typing ability, then edit the resultant jumbled mess to within an inch of its life before I will let anyone, even my best friend, read it.

3. You have some fascinating sounding characters in your book, from the cruel dictatorial Sponsor, Lord William St Benedict; to his son, Theodore ‘Dory’, and the Albino gymnast, Louis Trevelyan. Can you tell us a little about the inspiration behind these characters and the storyline in your book?

Louis’s character was particularly well formed in my mind before I started writing Dory’s Avengers. I wanted my lead character to be a reluctant hero, and I wanted there to be something about him that sets him apart from other people. A self-conscious young man with albinism - perfect. I very much enjoyed developing Louis’s character, his innate strength coming to the fore when his dearest friend Theo calls on him for help, and he has to overcome his fears or fail Theo. Theo himself is revealed as an admirably strong young man, whose will cannot be broken despite the best (or perhaps ‘worst’ would be a better word) efforts of his cruel father. The dialogue between Theo and Lord William was a joy to write, the quick witted Theo usually emerging with the upper hand. Lord William does have a human side; in one chapter he’s bursting with childlike excitement about opening the presents underneath his Christmas tree, but in the next chapter he’s planning something horrendously cruel. I believe Lord William’s human side makes his capacity for brutality more shocking than if he were bad through and through.

4. What research did you need to do for Dory’s Avengers?

I had to do a lot of research to make Louis’s character as believable as possible, as I knew little or nothing about either men’s gymnastics or albinism. Getting his albinism right was particularly important. I spent a lot of time reading blogs and following online forums by people living with the condition, which gave me essential insight into the obstacles Louis would have to face. It was great to provide a hero for people with albinism, as during the course of my research I discovered they are sick and tired of being portrayed as sinister red-eyed predators, and are losing patience with authors who have no understanding of their condition.

5. Do you have a favourite writing place, or a writing routine that you follow?

I don’t have a routine as such; I just need a computer, copious amounts of coffee and, most importantly, a quiet room. My partner has been moaned at more than once for putting the television on when I’m in full writing flow. If my writing starts to stagnate, I take myself away from the computer and listen to music. Music fuels my imagination; scenes play out in my head to a soundtrack of my favourite tunes, and I return to my manuscript bursting with new ideas.

6. What do you think is the most important thing, or tip, that anyone wishing to write their own book should know?

Always get your manuscript properly edited and proof read. It doesn’t matter how good an author you are, an independent editor will pick up on mistakes you will never notice, however many times you self-edit. Authors see whatever they intended to write rather what is actually on the page.
7. What are your writing dreams for the future?
I’m already half way through my second novel, a paranormal mystery set in Brighton, but that’s taken a bit of a backseat recently as I promote Dory’s Avengers, blog like a demon, and work on my newly launched editing business, Alison’s Editing Service. Positive feedback for my work is hugely important to me; I get a warm glow every time someone like my blog posts or tweets to say they enjoyed Dory’s Avengers. Of course I’d like to see my books topping the bestsellers list; but in the meantime, as long as people enjoy reading my work, I will continue to write.