An Interview with Jonathan L. Ferrara, author of The Ghost of Buxton Manor
I’m not going to be reviewing your newest novel, but from your other published novels, is there one that is your own personal favourite?
The Ghost of Buxton Manor is actually my fourth book (two others are published and one of those is a sequel currently with my editor), but this one is my favorite because it truly has a special place in my heart. I completely and whole-heartly relate to this book.
Everyone has a ‘first novel’, even if many of them are a rough draft relegated to the bottom and back of your desk drawer (or your external harddrive!). Have you been able to reshape yours, or have you abandoned it for good?
Nice question! Well, my first novel I wrote when I was 14-16-years-old. I reshaped it at 21, and yes, you’re right, it has been left hidden in my external hard drive. Maybe one day, in the far off future, I’ll give it another go.
Some authors are able to pump out a novel a year and still be filled with inspiration. Is this the case for you, or do you like to let an idea percolate for a couple of years in order to get a beautiful novel?
I’ve noticed that I’m able to write a book, edit, clean it up within a year, but then I have about 3-4 month break before diving into the next novel. I can’t take much breaks. I need to write!
I have heard of writers that could only write in one place – then that cafe closed down and they could no longer write! Where do you find yourself writing most often, and on what medium (pen/paper or digital)?
That’s terrible! No, thank God I don’t have that same problem. Although I do have to write in my house at my desk and on a computer–so I can move and be perfectly fine.
Before going on to hire an editor, most authors use beta-readers. How do you recruit your beta-readers, and choose an editor? Are you lucky enough to have loving family members who can read and comment on your novel?
My husband is my #1 teammate and reads and edits everything I write before I send it out. I also have a good friend (who is an avid reader) who edits my books before sending them off as well. I guess I’m lucky enough to have a little team in my corner.
I walk past bookshops and am drawn in by the smell of the books – ebooks simply don’t have the same attraction for me. Does this happen to you, and do you have a favourite bookshop? Or perhaps you are an e-reader fan… where do you source most of your material from?
I wish I could jump on the E-reader train, but I’m like you, I love the smell of books. I haven’t been able to successfully read a single book in E-form. In Downtown Los Angeles, there is an amazing bookshop called the Last Bookstore and it’s Heaven for any real reader.
I used to find myself buying books in only one genre (fantasy) before I started writing this blog. What is your favourite genre, and do you have a favourite author who sticks in your mind?
I’m 30 years old and still stuck in the Young Adult section. I usually stick to fantasy and horror, but I like all kinds of genres in Young Adult. J.K. Rowing is my favorite.
Social media is a big thing, much to my disgust! I never have enough time myself to do what I feel is a good job. What’s your take on this?
It’s usually me that manages my profile, but like I said before my husband is my business partner as well. We do a webcomic, blog, and have a Youtube Channel under Husband & Husband. So, if it’s not me, it’s Aaron.
I love having my own Youtube channel and blog, but I don’t think I could do it alone. I’m very lucky to have a husband who shares in the same passion as me and who also loves to be creative. We always say, “We’re better together.” It’s very true especially when it comes to social media.
Answering interview questions can often take a long time! Tell me, are you ever tempted to recycle your answers from one to the next?
Not really because most interviewers have different flows in their questions. However, there are some things you have to recycle when it comes to something like your favorite author.
Ok, so another reviewer has pointed out that the novel is filled with predictable character types. I think that’s certainly true – plucky heroine protecting her too kind brother and tolerating the hatred of a foster brother who blames her for his parents’ fates. However, I didn’t find it offputting. It gave me more space to think about the implications of the novel, rather than having to do too much thinking about the characters.
This is some Women’s Fiction with a bite! This actually clearly attempts to take down societal norms, even if it is in-you-face with obviousness of what is being taken down. There’s a lot of drama, some of which is probably needless, and that fits in with this genre too. Contrary to normal for me though, I actually really enjoyed this novel.
This is a thoughtprovoking novel for anyone who has seen a loved one in pain. Instead of watching your loved one in pain, they can take a suicide drink to end it all. We see Evan witness a variety of situations, and personally I think his job is an important one. It’s not the easy way out at all, a lot of thought goes into it.
Sigh. The blurb gives away the whole story. I mean, everything of it. So if you’re going to read this novel, please don’t read the blurb. Why are people so useless at writing blurbs that don’t give away everything?
Why is there no next book? I need one. Why was this so short? I need it to be longer! I didn’t want to step away from the characters.
Unfortunately the blurb gave away pretty much everything in the past sections of the novel. I was promised a suspenseful novel, but from the outset I knew what would probably happen. Then, finally, I HATED the ending of this novel.
Honestly, I think if I had paid for it, I would be asking for my money back. I’m not even certain it’s good enough to give as a present. There are heaps of little books like this that claim to change your life for you by just a little message here and there, and I’m not buying it.
Liv is a cute little character that isn’t very bright. Oh wait, she’s only 14. So we can excuse a wide number of things she does wrong, except maybe that theft. What were you thinking Liv? I think her brain just went into overdrive sometimes with the sheer amount of mess she had gotten herself into.
Having just read a novel where there is a difference between nice guys and good guys, River makes a good contrast of it. He starts out nice, passes through completely useless, then maybe to good. It’s that character evolution of being just another guy to being one who has gotten a bit of self-awareness happening.