Interview with Author John Potter

Today, I welcome author John  Potter to the Realm. John's thriller "Chasing Innocence" has been getting rave reviews since its publication in January. Welcome John! Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in 1967 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. I spent most of my childhood daydreaming about saving the world. As an adult I found myself working around the world. The vast differences in cultures and the similarities between humans across all cultures, led me to study human history and then psychology. Listening to Peter Jackson talk about making movies lit a creative spark that burns so brightly a decade later. In writing my first book I made every mistake imaginable and learned a lot of lessons. I'm a bit of a control freak so I set-up my own publishing company with the goal of equalling anything produced by a commercial publishers. Chasing Innocence was published in both paperback and Kindle in the US and UK, January 2012. It has been shortlisted four times and made the finalist category three times across two competitions.

I live near Reading in England and commute to Mayfair in London every day. Writing, learning and researching with the single aim of producing enthralling fiction, is my passion. Along the way I also became quite competent at publishing. I'm currently working on two other books including the sequel to Chasing Innocence. Sarah Sawacki will return in Hunting Demons.

When did you start writing?

 

I have been writing technical documents since 1990. This has been good for getting the maximum amount of information on the page in the least number of words. I started my first book in 2002 but realised I didn't have the vocabulary for fiction. So I blogged, joined online writing sites and wrote short stories. I started writing Chasing Innocence in 2008.

 

Where do you get your ideas?

 

Everywhere. I write fiction themes around people and what people will do to each other (the good and the bad). So people watching and making up improbably back stories is something I do all the time. I diligently store news articles in Evernote and refer back to them if I ever need confirmation just how horrid people can be to each other. I watch a LOT of movies, serialised TV and read anything and everything I can get my hands on. Mostly the ideas then just come from the characters and putting them in the extraordinary situations needed for fiction, then trying to get them out of them. Sometimes there's nothing in the tank and I'll turn to my bookshelves for inspiration.

 

What’s the best thing about writing?

 

Undoubtedly the characters. They exist in my mind as real people. It's very hard work creating them but once they're there it's a blast. I want people to experience the journey with my characters and LOVE hearing they enjoyed the journey. I try to learn when I'm told they didn't. Ultimately I write to be read so I'm always happy when that's the case.

 

What’s the worst thing about writing?

 

The uncertainty. What exists in my mind as beautiful imagery or moments, thrilling sequences and heart wrenching emotion, very often takes a lot of nurturing to play like that as words on the page. As a writer I'm trying to make the story flow seamlessly in as many minds as possible. I have a constant fear that all that hard work is actually just a little bit rubbish. It's also motivating because it pushes you to make sure it isn't.

 

What do you do when you’re not writing?

 

I work in England a stones throw from where much of the Olympics were just held, which means I spend four hours a day commuting. I mostly solve technical problems. Everything I do outside of work is focused on writing, whether it's daydreaming or research or actually writing. Fortunately my wife is a psychologist and studies a lot. One day I hope to became a competent digital artist, paint Warhammer figures and read books without analysing them.

 

 

Tell us more about your current book, "Chasing Innocence"

 

Chasing Innocence blends fast narrative and intense action with an enthralling story. In Sarah Sawacki we find a diminutive heroine who is both resourceful and indomitable.

Sarah Sawacki’s past has made her a survivor. At the age of 28 her life is the best it has ever been. When she sees ten-year-old Andrea being kidnapped, her every instinct is to turn away. Sarah can only follow, journeying beyond reason for an innocence she little knew.

Andrea’s father is ex-forces and struggling in a civilian world he cares nothing for. Only now his daughter is missing, has he realised how precious she is. Teamed with Sarah's husband, they use the trail left by Sarah to hunt for Andrea.

Legendary detective Francis Boer is dying. He will call upon all his intuition and experience as he works to discover why Andrea was targeted in the first place. His hope is not to catch the guilty, but to save one last innocent.


Can you share a passage with us from the book?
‘That poor little body, passed from pillar to post, all those things that will be asked of her. All those tears and years wondering why her father betrayed her.’
 

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

My Indie Publishing Blog

twitter

Chasing Innocence US

Chasing Innocence UK
 

Thanks so much for visiting the Realm today, John! Come back anytime.

Join John Potter and 9 other award-winning authors in the BEST INDIE BOOK FESTIVAL,

Featuring 10 Literary Fiction & Thriller Titles!
TWO DAYS ONLY!

Tues. Sept. 18-Wed., Sept. 19^th.

 

10 Award winning books and SEVERAL chances to win a

$10, $20, or $50 Amazon gift card

(3 lucky WINNERS will be chosen!)

 

Click the image below for details