Welcome to part two of my interview with OliJ, I hope you like it.
I know that you’ve writing a few
saga’s in your time, which character do you enjoy writing the most?
The cliche answer is to say Mr Blank, because he is my current character I am
writing. However, Kirk Sandblaster (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kirk-Sandblaster-4-Book-Series/dp/B01CUCY9IE/)
is always good for a laugh, and has been easier to write the more the series
has progressed. I’d like to write more - and have, in fact, got 3 more books
completed - but it depends on whether the audience is there. Although the fact
I have a 24-book arc planned...
What (PG) word always makes you
laugh?
Cummerbund. I had to get one for my University leavers ball and couldn’t stop
laughing. In fact, I’m laughing now. Make it stop.
Do you see yourself in any of your
characters? And are any characters based on real people?
One thing all writers will admit, at least in my opinion, is that every
character they write is based on someone they know. Whether it be a friend,
celebrity, or just someone they saw on the street once, every character is
based in reality. Of course, as the creator of these characters, a lot of the
main folk have aspects of my personality. Naturally, this means that
super-violent Mr Blank, alcoholic braggart Guy (from Strange Days in High
Wycombe: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strange-Days-High-Wycombe-Jacobs-ebook/dp/B00LCAJWB0/)and sexist business Kent Hawks (from Stains: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stains-Oli-Jacobs-ebook/dp/B00EGCBMTG)
all contain parts of me. I never said they were the best parts, or the parts
that still exist, but they are various Id’s that float around...
What’s your favourite food?
Curry. Always curry. Although lately I’ve become more fussy as to the quality
of curry that I eat. Restaurant curry is good, but home-made curry is becoming
a thing of beauty. Finding the right balance of spice & flavour is a
wonderful feeling. I’m even tempted to write a cookbook one day: Oli Jacobs’
Meals to Make you Sweat.
What is your personal pet peeve?
Time-keeping, both mine and other peoples. I blame my Mother for the fact I
will get IMMENSELY stressed if someone doesn’t appear at a pre-arranged time,
even if they’re a minute late.
When people write reviews of your
work do you always read them? Including the negative ones? Are there any lines
that have stood out that you remember?
I do now. When I was a younger, more inexperienced writer, I received a bad
review that I reacted badly to, and since have decided to take all reviews in
their stride. After all, the good ones are good, but the bad ones are the ones
you learn from. While it isn’t a line from a particular review verbatim, one of
the things that has been said about my books which makes me feel quite happy is
that people have recognised that I have my own unique voice when it comes to
telling a story. Be it the comedic adventures of Kirk Sandblaster, or the dark
tales of Station 17 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Station-17-Chronicles-Oli-Jacobs/dp/1291569693/),
folk have noted how I have a specific way of writing that makes my stories
unique. That’s a skill that I hold in very high regard.
Do you have a lucky number?
It used to be 7, but now I’m too paranoid that 7 is the wrong number to have a
lucky number. Why, do you know which one it is? Is it 42? Or 23? What about
764? Oh God, so many numbers...
And Finally, if you could only give
on piece of advice to the readers, what would it be?
Enjoy what you enjoy. There is no wrong book to love, no right fad to “fit in”
with. If you like Pokemon, go enjoy Pokemon. If you want to write a love story,
write YOUR love story. Just because most people don’t like it, doesn’t mean
that you shouldn’t. Love what you love, and you’ll never feel bad (not a guarantee).
Thank you for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed yourself. And if you'd like to pick up a copy of Oli's new book, check out amazon.
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