Ask the Author: Jeff Povey
Answered Questions (6)
Jeff Povey
I always start with What If... I've got four kids, they were all in detention at some timer or other, so I wondered what would happen if a group of 16 year olds left detention and walked out into a world they didn't belong in.
It was a real What If... that I started to find answers for.
Also when I was much younger I swear I cycled my bike into another dimension once. Cross my heart - but for about two minutes I thought I was in a carbon copy of my home street, only everyone had somehow disappeared. That seems to have stayed with me.
It was a real What If... that I started to find answers for.
Also when I was much younger I swear I cycled my bike into another dimension once. Cross my heart - but for about two minutes I thought I was in a carbon copy of my home street, only everyone had somehow disappeared. That seems to have stayed with me.
Jeff Povey
I just loved reading. And watching films and tv. I also love poetry and I love words and so I thought it would be a lovely way to spend my time. I also had ideas in my head that I wanted to embrace if you like. So I bought a typewriter and wrote something. Being completely honest I was naive enough to think I couldn't possibly fail, so maybe that rank naivety was actually my inspiration. I thought I'd be some sort of wunderkind and still live in hope of that in a way. So springing something amazing that only I could have come up with - and that people really enjoyed - was my fervent inspiration. One day it may come true.
Jeff Povey
The sequel to SHIFT. It's called DELETE and in fact by the close of play today (15th Dec 2014) I will be sending the second draft off to Simon & Schuster. Jane Griffiths my editor gave me great notes and I think the book has moved to a new level.
I also write a lot of TV so I'm writing scripts as well.
I also write a lot of TV so I'm writing scripts as well.
Jeff Povey
Believe in yourself. Don't copy others. Go with your instincts and not what you read in a Writers Guide. Write great characters that readers fall in love with. You can be complex, but don't complicate. I always think simple is best. Boy meets girl can be told a million different ways and maybe your take on it just happens to be the one everyone loves. But most of all, love what you write, and write what you love. I write things I'd watch or read. I don't care what or how others write, I'm only here to please myself.
Jeff Povey
You don't have to do a proper job. You can sit there all day long dreaming up ideas and then if you're lucky those ideas come to fruition. If you're luckier still, someone might like what you did. I love putting things out there, I love having thoughts and inspiration, when it comes, is just the best feeling. I love that I bought a house and raised a family on my wit and ingenuity alone. Don't get me wrong though, it's bloody hard work as well.
Jeff Povey
To be honest I don't think there is such a thing. My career is defined by deadlines and there's never been a moment when I haven't been able to deliver. I think it's a huge myth that writers use to not actually get on and do some writing. They're probably just tired or worse - lazy. Sorry, but the best thing about being a writer is writing, not sitting there moaning about it.
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