CJ SUTTON
The Australian author talks Lynne Hackles through the routine that produces his fast-paced thrillers
CJ Sutton is an Australian author. Dortmund Hibernate was his debut and his latest title is This Strange Hell. Both are published by Crooked Cat. CJ’s working life is multi-faceted. ‘I write full time, but in multiple roles,’ he says. ‘By day it’s journalistic nonfiction, but by night and at weekends I write creative fiction in the form of novels. I’m also a learning advisor for students studying writing and communications.
‘When I arrive home from work at about 5pm, I spend the next hour or so writing creatively. The first thing I do after the day job is to open my word document and read the last 200 words to dive back into the story. My phone is kept out of reach and I turn off the internet on my laptop. Generally, the first ten minutes are about getting in the groove then the writing becomes natural and rhythmic. I lose track of time and, without me realising, an hour has passed. After dinner and other commitments, I usually put in another hour or two. Weekends provide the most time for creative writing, which is my passion. The dream is to one day do this full time; wake up and write stories until I’m hungry or tired.