Dony Jay
Agency At War
The Writer’s Dossier 10/8/2024 – The big Dony Jay interview
DOSSIER: Why do you credit your prep-school English teachers for giving you such a love of the written word? Were you the mischievous one in class who had to handwrite “Dony will behave during class” on a piece of paper 100 times once a week? (Oh, that was just me?)
JAY: I don’t recall ever having to write sentences on paper–or on the blackboard (yes, we had blackboards back then, the horror). Not saying that I wasn’t the mischievous one, just that I was never caught. But that’s a whole other topic…and it’s classified.
Funny thing is… Some friends used to say that I should go work for the CIA someday. But I digress. I credit my English teachers, because they instilled in me a solid foundation of grammar as well as an appreciation for the concept of story. They impressed upon me how so much can be dispensed through the vehicle of a good narrative: laughter, suspense, inspiration, persuasion, etc. My joy of reading blossomed from this. It’s remarkable how we often don’t fully understand or appreciate the people or special moments in our lives until we’re old enough and mature enough to look back and see just what God was doing. All great teachers are a gift. Their impact on young minds can not be overstated. The truly great ones challenge you and teach you to think for yourself, not simply memorize and regurgitate information.
Some of the best storytellers
DOSSIER: Since you loved books before you were a cop, did you ever go on calls as a rookie thinking things like, “This is going to make for a good story someday!”?
JAY: It’s true that cops are some of the best–and funniest–storytellers, frankly because of what we experience. We see so much: the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’ve also never laughed so hard at times. Cops can be REAL characters…and pranksters.
I definitely recall days and nights in which I couldn’t wait to get home to tell my wife what happened on a call or back at the station. There were also times in which I realized as a young buck that some aspects of police work were nothing at all like what I’d thought prior to coming into the job. Anyone who’s been on the job for any length of time will tell you: So many things happen day-in and day-out about which the public will never know. Hopefully, my professional experience shines through in Murder by Half and all my books.
Jovie the Jack Russell
DOSSIER: When and where do you like to write and what environment works best? Is there music from the Shaft or Miami Vice soundtrack playing in the background? Is Jovie the Jack Russell curled up next to you wondering when you’re going to stop writing and throw the ball?
JAY: I like to write in my study. It’s quiet most days…until someone nearby fires up a lawn tractor or a chainsaw or a woodpecker starts going to town on the spouting outside my window. I enjoy writing to classical and ambient music though not at the same time. While I’m writing, I like to listen to music that doesn’t distract from my thinking. Classical music, in particular, can also really help capture the mood of a scene. I love all the great composers but especially Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Debussy, and Brahms.
Jovie is often right beside me as I write. Sometimes though she’ll hop up in my lap and follow the cursor back and forth across the screen. She loves a good chase! Jovie plays hard and crashes hard and knows how to cuddle. Jack Russells are such great dogs. They are super smart, lovable, and loyal friends. They’re also fearless and full of verve. So much so that I just had to write some Jacks into Murder by Half. Readers should get a kick out of one of their names. Hehe. Might have to explain that one someday. 😉 In any case, I suspect that we’ll see those rascals again in future books.
You might end up in my book
DOSSIER: Because you’ve been a cop for over two decades and you write police detective books like Murder by Half (available 10/8/24), do you ever get curious looks from your co-workers who wonder what you’re up to all the time? What about those quintessential, grizzly department captains saying things like, “This better not end up in one of your books, DJ!”?
JAY: I don’t usually say too much about my books or writing at work. Primarily, because I hate talking about myself. Some fellow co-workers do ask about the books from time to time. Nevertheless, they each know they could end up in a book at any time, whether by name or by virtue of being the inspiration for a character. And I will tell you that some already have (via inspiration, that is.). I’ll just leave it at that. These people do carry guns for a living.
Two new books & a special offer
DOSSIER: Do you have any breaking news or special announcement you’d like to disclose in your Dossier?
JAY: I’m hoping to release two books in 2025: Warrior Spy #3 (spring) and Nathan Press #2 (fall). Also in the coming months, subscribers to my email newsletter will receive a free Nathan Press short story in e-book format. But it’s only for subscribers. I’ll talk about that more when the time gets closer. The story will touch on something that is briefly referenced in Murder by Half but not fully explained. And here’s an extra special nugget: One of the characters in Murder by Half is based on someone with whom I used to work. He’s now retired and working as an insurance investigator. But he also has a side hustle that is very cool. Stay tuned to my social media for the upcoming reveal. Readers are going to love him!
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