Book: Cape Henry House
Q1. Hello Sir, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Jolly Walker Bittick. I am named after my father and grandfather, but we each have different middle names. I was born in Denver, Colorado, but raised in rural western Washington. I served a term in the Navy as a helicopter mechanic, but have worked in numerous fields since, most recently as a communications editor for the Federal Government. I love to write and I also keep a daily journal to log the details of my day. As I entered my 30’s I realized that my life experiences are unique since I have traveled so much and lived in so many different places, so I decided to begin writing about the experiences and people I have met over the years.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Cape Henry House’ book?
The book is officially fiction, but based so much on true events that I had to make sure to protect the identities of people and certain locations showcased in the book. As this was my first publication, I was unsure how much detail I could include as it pertained to brands. Ultimately, I kept details as vague as I could in that realm, and tried to do so without taking away from the overall story. I did some general research and determined that protecting the military elements of the story was most important, and ultimately a few of the locations were real places but as they are no longer in existence I was safe to name them as they were in real life. Professional sports teams are mentioned in the story, but vaguely enough that there is no legal issue.
Second, the creation of the chapters was challenging. I originally wrote the entire story without any chapters and then decided that chapters would help readers, particularly those who would not read the book in one sitting. I feel like the chapters are aptly named and well placed, but the initial challenge of creating and placing them seemed formidable.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
First and foremost, Ernest Hemingway in general. I decided when I wrote this book that I wanted it to be written for those who do not read. Short, sharp sentences and raw details were heavily incorporated into the work to keep readers interested and compelled.
I also like author Harry Combs, and his western novel ‘Brules’ in particular. The opening to ‘Brules’ inspired the opening to Cape Henry House, and I also intend to use similar formatting in future publications (in fiction).
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Olympic National Park and National Forest. I am from the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington but I find it to be a place I prefer to visit as opposed to a place I call home full time. Anyone that has visited the peninsula is taken aback by its natural beauty and grand geography. It remains a wild place, and that by itself makes itspecial.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
There can be. A writer must have a purpose in writing a book, and at least a vague idea of what they want the story to be about. I have written material in the past that ended up with meaning different than what I was intending, and sometimes that is okay, but only if the writer can shape the work into something they can finish and produce for an audience. I take after Stephen King, who is known to sit down and start writing something without any outline beforehand of what the story will be about. I find my work is better when I write and get into the story myself, because it takes me on a journey as well.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Cape Henry House’ book?
Cape Henry House was written in six weeks. I contacted a few old Navy friends and discussed the story with them, and then I went about writing it. I had fun with it, so much so, that before I knew it, the story was completed.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Cape Henry House’ book to buy?
All major platforms, and most brick and mortar stores. The book is also available via box retailers like Walmart and Target. In particular:
Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Google Books, Apple Books, Kobo, Books A Million, to name a few.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Cape Henry House’?
As the story is based on true events, it was an easy process to name the book as it is about a house on Cape Henry Avenue, a real street. My Navy friends and I have referred to the actual house as Cape Henry House over the years, the name was a natural fit for the book.
I went through a cover design service and was provided with five cover designs based on specifications I provided. Ultimately, the cover of the book was the image selected. It was far and away the best of the bunch.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Focusing on the plot of the story and using as few words as possible to describe the characters and events while ensuring that the word choice is sharp, this gives a jolt to the reader which naturally keeps them compelled to read on. For me as a writer, it is important that I enjoy writing the story. I had fun writing Cape Henry House, because as I wrote it, I was brought back to the real-life memories that form the basis of the book.
In other works, I follow the same blueprint. I make sure to apply my feelings and imagination to the writing so that it remains raw, raw in the sense that the person reading it can sense, smell, taste, feel, and apply themselves as so they are in the story as well.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Two things:
Every character in the book is based (some more than others) on actual people from the days of the late 2000’s. In some cases, there is one character that represents more than one actual person, or multiple
characters that are extensions of someone I remember from the actual party days of the real-life house on Cape Henry Avenue.
The other thing: Nearly all of the wildest parts of the story are true. In some cases, it would be hard to imagine someone writing about such things without having seen or experienced it!
Book Is Available On Amazon
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