944 Hidalgo by Jack Davies
What led you into writing?
I began writing many years ago, short stories, poetry, and then when I began in filmmaking I was writing scripts. I became a script writer on feature films, my own and others. Out of those stories I began writing 944 Hidalgo during lockdown. I also had a few short stories published at that time and that encouraged me to continue with the work and to write a second novel, a spy, detective story.
How does a typical day look?
I’m a freelance Producer, Director so when I work it’s very busy with putting together short form documentary films for associations, tourist agencies, businesses and charities. When I write it’s around my work, at night or in slow periods in the day.
In what ways do your characters test your abilities?
I’ve never had a problem with characters, I’ve written screenplays for so long the characters start to talk within the context of the story and I write down what they say.
What’s your setup?
I write at a desk in the attic.
What lasting effects have your favourite authors had on your writing and style?
Hemingway for style and rhythm, Asimov for ideas and brevity, John le Carre for plot and dialogue, WG Sebald for humanity and structure, Bukowski for guts and life.
What do you do for inspiration?
I read, watch films, research topics that take my interest, remember dreams, listen to music, walk, travel.
What repeating themes do you find yourself pulling into your stories?
The themes that most return are those of the struggle of humanity with a changing world, interpersonal relationships that fracture and then repair, mythological and esoteric mysteries that seem out of reach in understanding but have a basis in shared consciousness, and quest stories.
How do you wind down?
I cook and watch films, go to concerts, meet with friends, put the world to rights.
What sort of challenges do you regularly overcome while designing your world/setting?
The world/setting in my work seems to present itself quite easily, whether it’s in the future or present day, the only problem is making sure that the rules or backstory of that world are consistent, so it sometimes requires checking back to make sure everything aligns.
What are you reading at the moment?
“Oedipus Tyrannus” by Sophocles
“By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept” by Paulo Coelho
What’s the most useful advice you could give to an aspiring author?
Get everything down on the page, don’t think when you write, the first draft is about finding the story and characters, they tend to appear as you go along. Revise later and don’t worry about the timescale, it’s not a competition.
Tell us about the book you’re promoting.
“944 Hidalgo” was written over lockdown and rewritten several times over the years, looking for the write structure, meaning and finally a home. It was born from a series of stories that came together to make a novel that talks about modern day slavery, the future of robotics and AI, family, love, and the possibility of people coming together to stop tragedy.
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