Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Jo McCready
Book Titles: The Hunted
Released: October 10, 2020
Genre: Thriller/Mystery
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “The Hunted”?
McCready: This is a huge and complex question. I think, firstly, I wanted to create a strong female character that was capable and confident, but with a touch of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. RJ Rox is able to overcome the greatest challenges, yet doesn’t quite realise her own strength and abilities. She’s a character, that I feel, lots of people can relate to.
The wild Scottish countryside that felt so safe to me as a child felt like the perfect place to set a murder hunt; the sunny idyllic hills and glens contrasting with the danger that lay hidden there. The mysteries that I grew up on, including Agatha Christie and the Nancy Drew books, captured my imagination in such a way that there was no question as to the genre that I would write in.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
McCready: I’m not sure if there’s anything in particular readers need to know about me other than I am a Scot in a foreign land, much like RJ Rox – that’s where the similarities thankfully end. In terms of my writing, I love how ten people that have read a book might have completely different takes on it and might have taken away messages that are personally relevant to them. There are certain aspects of the book that I surprised myself writing about so I’ll take away my own personal message and encourage others to do the same.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
McCready: When I write my first drafts my writing tends to be free flowing and I’m actually quite strict with myself in terms of the word counts I must meet each day. I think the act of making writing a habit wards off writer’s block. Once I’ve finished writing for the day, I’m already planning in my head, just what the next day’s writing will look like. I find if I am stuck on a particular scene, a long walk or shower unlocks the story in my mind. I used to carry a little notebook around with me for this reason but now I just type notes into my phone.
It's the editing process where I can become unstuck. Knowing that something doesn’t work and knowing how to fix it are two completely different things. When this happens, I move onto edits that I am able to fix and let problematic issues sit in my mind for a while. Invariably something will click into place when I least expect it.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
McCready: Read, read, and read; within your chosen genre and outside it. Look at story telling in all its forms. There is much to learn about writing, including plot and character development, in TV shows, song lyrics and even in a single line from a poem. Pay attention to people, ask questions and strike up conversations in unusual places. Who knows what hidden gems might be sparked off by an unexpected conversation with a stranger. Attend as many writing events as you can, festivals, workshops, author talks, conferences. Then, at some point, you have to just sit down and write. And, you have to keep at it. Write through the bad writing, refine your skills and believe in yourself – which is probably the most difficult aspect of writing.
If "The Hunted" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
McCready: It’s difficult to imagine any particular person playing my characters because I can see them so clearly in my head. I think the New Zealand actor Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit) would be a good pick for RJ and perhaps John Slattery (Mad Men) as Benjamin Stone. I also think Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of thrones) and Idris Elba (although he’s not quite old enough) would be brilliant in the roles.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
McCready: I love crime and thrillers, of course, but I also enjoy fantasy, sci-fi and basically any good read. My favourite books are ones that people recommend that I would never have thought to pick up myself. I enjoy reading that takes me out of my comfort zone, or surprises me just as much as I enjoy the dependably good writing of my favourite authors. Speaking of which, my list of favourite authors is constantly changing depending on my current circumstances. I love Michael Crichton, Tomi Adeyemi, Val McDermid, Jo Nesbo, Paul Cleave, Ken Follett, Carl Hiaasen, Philip Pullman and Patrick Rothfuss for widely different reasons.
What are you working on next?
McCready: The second RJ Rox book, The Festival Killer, is out now.
Agent RJ Rox is in charge of her first case for the clandestine organization known as Kingfisher. A ticking clock and a colleague who could make the whole assignment blow up in her face, pile on the pressure in a case that seems impossible to crack.
An ambassador’s secret love child, gone missing at the Berlin Book Festival years previously, lead her in a direction she never could have imagined . . . and back to the streets of Scotland.
As RJ searches for answers, she learns the truth is stranger than fiction when she sets her sights on a world-famous crime writer. Does a new book hold the key to the whole case, and can RJ unlock it in time?
RJ’s playing a deadly game with a killer who has something to prove—almost as much as she has.
I’m currently working on book number three, which I hope to release later this year.
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