Jamie Paradise has written a debut novel that takes crime to an audacious new level. Night Time Cool has been described as flamboyant, comic, and energetic: a tale of Christmas time in 2015 London with all its colour, exuberance and the odd swathe of violence. It’s the underbelly of Shoreditch and the characters, particularly Detective Inspector Frederick Street and his son Elvis, revel in their complex, seedy setting.
In the day time – when not hunkered down in a dark mansion surrounded by old family skulls and writing comic crime – Jamie is also a sports journalist called Jamie Jackson. He writes about football. “Soccer” to those of us in Australia who adhere to Aussie Rules.
LWOTW: Good to meet you, Jamie. Tell us about when you first realised that you are a writer.
Jamie: Good Question – I have a memory of being around nine and thinking, yes, writing for me – then at 21/22 I knew – after reading Henry Miller.
So Henry Miller tipped you over the edge. That’s good to hear. Do you rely more on dreams, imagination, and planning?
Imagination all the way – get an idea/opening scene/etcetera then away I go – so much fun.
Writing can indeed be fun, and it’s great that it shows in your novel. What’s the highlight of your writing career so far?
Having my first novel compared to Martin Amis, Anthony Burgess, and it being reviewed by The Observer (the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper) as a “rip-roaring debut”.
That is really wonderful, congratulations. What are you most looking forward to at the moment?
The current novel I’m writing – about 2/3 in of 1st draft.
First drafts can be exhausting. Good luck! If you could say one thing to aspiring writers, what would it be?
Read all the time, write all the time and keep DREAMING.
And finally: Who would you be if you were a fictional character?
Peter Pan – I’m never growing up anyway. XXX
LOL! Thanks for speaking with me today, Jamie, it’s been amazing. More Power to you and the Streets of Shoreditch.
Jamie’s Links:
Twitter: @jamieparadise_
Instagram: @jamieparadise_