Ask the Author: Michael Nest
Answered Questions (7)
Michael Nest
Thanks Bill, that's great feedback. Writing and publishing a book takes a huge amount of effort, so it is always gratifying to know that one has 'got it right'. Take Out the Jocks is meant to be a dark comedy, so when readers find it funny—even though it is about the serious topic of unequal gender freedoms—that is also good to hear! My four other books are all nonfiction, and I found writing fiction to be completely different process: more freedom; a wonderful creative process of developing characters, place and plot; and the research process felt like a pleasure rather like than a task. A sequel? Now, that's a good question. I think Carly, Kate and Seyram have more adventures in them ... but what could tip them over the edge into danger once again???
Michael Nest
Hi Jill, That's a great question and one another person also asked recently! I knew from the start that it was a gripping story, with a genuine mystery at its heart (the missing persons), with multiple persons of interest, and some ambiguity around 'whodunnit', so these factors lent themselves to writing in a true crime style that engages readers (accessible language, revealing some clues but only alluding to others) and structuring the book in a way that developed tension (made readers want to turn the page). However, the decision for it to be marketed as true crime, was mostly one for the publisher (clearly with an eye on how bookshops were likely to sell it). It could have equally been marketed as 'social history', but the print run and marketing budget would have been far far less, it may have only been published in hardcover (making it very expensive; effectively for libraries and academics with book budgets only), and only academic bookshops and critics would have been interested in it. Writing the story as 'true crime' broadened the potential audience on several levels.
Michael Nest
(1) Practice, practice, practice; (2) don't put pressure on yourself to write the perfect first draft (you can always edit later); and (3) write about things that will hold your interest.
Michael Nest
As an author of non-fiction the best thing about being a writer is bringing stories and events that are often discussed and studied in an academic context to a broader audience. The latter creates interesting and fun challenges around structure, vocabulary and communicating concepts.
Michael Nest
My most recent book is 'Cold Case North: the search for James Brady and Absolom Halkett'. I was invited into this project by my co-author Deanna Reder, who is a Prof. of Indigenous Studies and has a family connection to this missing persons case. At first we didn't know if our research was going to be a book; we just wanted to find out what happened to the two missing men. However, as we started researching and discovered unexpected twists and turns, and a host of fascinating people connected to the disappearance, writing a book seemed like a great way to tell people about what amazing people Brady and Halkett were, as well as share the experience of researching the case.
Michael Nest
My books are non-fiction explanations of real world events and problems. The challenge - the inspiring part - is working out how to craft information about these subjects into story form that is compelling for readers, and also fun for me to write.
Michael Nest
I accept that whatever I write will not be perfect and that 70-80% may be discarded. This relieves me of the pressure to get everything 'right' first time around, and makes it easy to simply write down thoughts even if disorganised and not especially clear.
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