Albert Jack – December 2013
Albert Jack is an English writer and historian who became something of a publishing phenomenon in 2004 when his first book Red Herrings and White Elephants, which explored the origins of well-known phrases in the English language, became a huge international best-seller. The book was serialised by the Sunday Times for over a year and stayed in the top ten of the UK Sunday Times best-seller list for sixteen months.
His follow up book Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheep was also a best seller and has sold over 150,000 copies since publication in October 2005. It became Penguin Book's Christmas best-seller. His hilarious third book, a study of Urban Legends called Phantom Hitchhikers is also a best-seller and was released in paperback in September 2007. In the same month Red Herrings and White Elephants was re-released for the first time in paperback and Albert has provided 30% more content for a revised and expanded version that is sure to hit the best-seller list once again.
Fascinated by discovering the truth behind the world's great stories, Albert has become an expert in explaining the unexplained, which is great news for conversations and storytellers everywhere. - taken from his websight
His follow up book Shaggy Dogs and Black Sheep was also a best seller and has sold over 150,000 copies since publication in October 2005. It became Penguin Book's Christmas best-seller. His hilarious third book, a study of Urban Legends called Phantom Hitchhikers is also a best-seller and was released in paperback in September 2007. In the same month Red Herrings and White Elephants was re-released for the first time in paperback and Albert has provided 30% more content for a revised and expanded version that is sure to hit the best-seller list once again.
Fascinated by discovering the truth behind the world's great stories, Albert has become an expert in explaining the unexplained, which is great news for conversations and storytellers everywhere. - taken from his websight
1. When you were growing up, was writing something you always
wanted to do?
Yes it was, but I had no idea how to go about it. I had no clue how to start. And it is not something you readily admit to anybody either. It’s almost like a dark secret. Eventually I worked it out and explain all of that in my book, Want to be a Writer? Then do it properly!
2. How long does it usually take you to complete a book?
The first draft of a manuscript usually takes me 2-3 months. There is a lot of editing afterwards, but getting all the words down shouldn’t take longer than that. Overall I wouldn’t spend longer than 5-6 months on any particular project. If you are labouring for a year or more on a first draft then you are probably wasting your time. Although history suggests there are always exceptions to that. Not many though.
Yes it was, but I had no idea how to go about it. I had no clue how to start. And it is not something you readily admit to anybody either. It’s almost like a dark secret. Eventually I worked it out and explain all of that in my book, Want to be a Writer? Then do it properly!
2. How long does it usually take you to complete a book?
The first draft of a manuscript usually takes me 2-3 months. There is a lot of editing afterwards, but getting all the words down shouldn’t take longer than that. Overall I wouldn’t spend longer than 5-6 months on any particular project. If you are labouring for a year or more on a first draft then you are probably wasting your time. Although history suggests there are always exceptions to that. Not many though.
3. Do you ever get writers block? Do you have any tips to
overcome such obstacles?
No, I don’t believe in it. I believe in bone idleness and fully understand that part; I am something of an expert. But not writer’s block, there is no such thing. I have no time for creative types who sit around and muse all day, waiting for inspiration. That’s bollocks. Just sit down and get on with it. One tip I give, if asked, is to finish each day halfway through a paragraph. Or even a line. Don’t try to tidy things up nicely before you end for the day. That way you have something to be getting on with as soon as you start the next session.
4. Last Man in London, your new novel, what has the feedback been so far?
Well, it only went on sale yesterday, so it is too early to say. But I see this morning that it is selling and early reviews are great. Mind you, the sample chapters had over 50,000 readers online and hundreds of positive comments so I am pleased with it, so far. I’m very proud of it.
5. You spent time in Vietnam, was that for research and has it given you any inspiration for your writing?
Not really no. It’s not where you are that inspires your writing. It is what you are thinking and the routine you adopt. You must have a routine as a writer, and you can do that anywhere. Although my time inVietnam Hanoi
6. History is a specialty of yours, would you say in your career you have ever been shocked at some of your findings? Or have you ever been surprised by some of your research?
I don’t think I have ever been shocked. But surprised, yes. Often pleasantly so. Research is usually the best part of writing a book. It’s as much fun for me to find out interesting and controversial things as it is for the reader, when they eventually read the finished item. For every reader of any of my books who has ever shouted, ‘hey Margaret, did you know this?’ Then I assure you I did the same when I was writing it, only not with Margaret.
6. If you had to tell people to read one book (sadly not one of yours), what would you implore them to read?
I never recommend my own books. I think that is a pretty narcissistic thing to do. I’ve just taken ten minutes to think about this and it is almost impossible to recommend one book. It just depends on who is asking you and what interests them. The most recent book I read was God is Not Great by the late Christopher Hitchens. I know it has been around for a while but I finally got round to it last month. I would certainly recommend that.
7. Illuminati, a controversial topic - thoughts?
It’s not controversial for me. Democracy in the West was even founded as a Polyarchy.America
No, I don’t believe in it. I believe in bone idleness and fully understand that part; I am something of an expert. But not writer’s block, there is no such thing. I have no time for creative types who sit around and muse all day, waiting for inspiration. That’s bollocks. Just sit down and get on with it. One tip I give, if asked, is to finish each day halfway through a paragraph. Or even a line. Don’t try to tidy things up nicely before you end for the day. That way you have something to be getting on with as soon as you start the next session.
4. Last Man in London, your new novel, what has the feedback been so far?
Well, it only went on sale yesterday, so it is too early to say. But I see this morning that it is selling and early reviews are great. Mind you, the sample chapters had over 50,000 readers online and hundreds of positive comments so I am pleased with it, so far. I’m very proud of it.
5. You spent time in Vietnam, was that for research and has it given you any inspiration for your writing?
Not really no. It’s not where you are that inspires your writing. It is what you are thinking and the routine you adopt. You must have a routine as a writer, and you can do that anywhere. Although my time in
6. History is a specialty of yours, would you say in your career you have ever been shocked at some of your findings? Or have you ever been surprised by some of your research?
I don’t think I have ever been shocked. But surprised, yes. Often pleasantly so. Research is usually the best part of writing a book. It’s as much fun for me to find out interesting and controversial things as it is for the reader, when they eventually read the finished item. For every reader of any of my books who has ever shouted, ‘hey Margaret, did you know this?’ Then I assure you I did the same when I was writing it, only not with Margaret.
6. If you had to tell people to read one book (sadly not one of yours), what would you implore them to read?
I never recommend my own books. I think that is a pretty narcissistic thing to do. I’ve just taken ten minutes to think about this and it is almost impossible to recommend one book. It just depends on who is asking you and what interests them. The most recent book I read was God is Not Great by the late Christopher Hitchens. I know it has been around for a while but I finally got round to it last month. I would certainly recommend that.
7. Illuminati, a controversial topic - thoughts?
It’s not controversial for me. Democracy in the West was even founded as a Polyarchy.
8. What can we expect from you in the future?
More books. I sit here today with an empty desk and little to do but I have a contract for a new manuscript to be delivered by the end of March 2014 so I will get started on that in January when I get back to London (for the first time in 2 ½ years). Then I have a play in preparation, which I haven’t written yet, and the follow up novel to Last Man in
Keep up to date with everything this man does @: http://www.albertjack.com/
