For my first author spotlight, I have the honor of introducing you to the very talented, Dony Jay and his epic novel, Murder By Half.
First off, meet Dony Jay...DONY JAY was born and raised in beautiful south-central Pennsylvania. Whether it was playing baseball with neighborhood kids during the summer months or hockey on a slab of ice in his childhood backyard in winter, he’s always had a passion for sports. Dony excelled at soccer and basketball and played both sports collegiately. He holds a BS degree in criminal justice from York College of Pennsylvania. A self-described book addict, Dony possesses an insatiable zeal
for the written word—something he largely credits to his faithful prep-school English
teachers.
Dony is now a police detective with over 21 years of law-enforcement experience. He has served on a US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and is currently a member of a county-wide Child Abduction Response Team (CART) and his department's forensic unit. Outside the crime-scene tape, he is the author of smart, exciting thrillers with richly drawn characters and plots that pack a punch.
When he's not reading or writing, Dony loves spending time with his family, staying fit, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles. He also enjoys the outdoors, great music, and keeping pace with Jovie, his lovable and very active Jack Russell Terrier. Above all, he's a follower of Jesus Christ. He resides in south-central Pennsylvania.
Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to become a writer?
I was a very active kid, playing soccer and basketball from a young age through college. I was always outside doing something, whether playing sports or building forts in the woods. With soccer in particular, I mostly played forward, which is a position that demands optimism, creativity, and relentlessness. My current job as a police detective requires attention to detail, dogged determination, constant learning, and a feisty spirit. All of these things translate well to being an author. I'm also a super competitive person. Even if it's just playing KNOCKOUT in the driveway with my kids. :) All that being said... It was while reading Vince Flynn's Pursuit of Honor that I first considered writing a spy thriller series--one in which the protagonist has a Christian worldview. After many rough drafts, The Warrior Spy was born. Now, I can't imagine not writing. For me, writing is many things, not least of which is the fact that I view it as a personal challenge. Again, I'm super competitive. I also consider writing to be a kind of therapy. Cops see and experience many things. Some good, some they try hard to forget.
What inspired you to write your book?
With my latest book, Murder by Half (book #1 in my Nathan Press series), I wanted the protagonist to be someone with baggage. Not all people of faith have an ideal childhood or live without trouble or drama in their lives even after their saved. Nathan Press is special, yes, but he's got problems just like the rest of us. My hope is that he's someone readers will relate to and root for.
How do you integrate Christian themes and values into your writing?
I think it's just about being true to who I am and being authentic as a Christian and as a writer. My books are not preachy but do convey Christian principles and values. I try to write with as much realism as possible minus the garbage that plagues so much of the entertainment industry these days. My goal is to point readers to Christ through the highest quality fiction I can write. That means inspiring and entertaining narratives full of action, suspense, thoughtful plots, and well-developed characters.
Who are some of your favorite Christian authors, and how have they influenced your work?
To be honest, I haven't read many Christian authors growing up. Maybe that's a bad thing, but it's just the truth. I gravitate toward books with great characters, dynamite writing, and intelligent storylines. If a book doesn't grab me in the first chapter, I move on. There are just too many great books and authors to read out there. In recent years, I've discovered Luana Ehrlich, Andrews & Wilson, Tosca Lee, Ronie Kendig, and some other fabulous authors. Mostly, they prove that great Christian writing doesn't equate to boring writing.
What challenges did you face while writing your book?
For me, the challenges arose in the area of acquiring a book agent. I've received so many rejections over the years that I've lost count. But if you're determined to succeed, you can't take rejection personally. You just learn to use that to motivate you even more. I look back on those rejections now as a blessing. God's ways are not our ways. His will is often not in line with our own. Thus, if He wants me writing as an indie author then that's what I'll do. All glory to God.
How do you approach creating relatable characters while staying true to your Christian beliefs?
My life experience is certainly something I rely on with character development. Being a cop since 2003 and a detective since 2007, I've seen a lot. I've investigated everything from homicide and armed robbery to burglary and child sexual abuse and many things in between. I've seen the dark side of people along with the good. I try to create characters based on what I see every day. I just keep the profanity and gratuitous sex out of my books.
Can you describe a particular moment or experience that profoundly impacted your writing process?
I can't really finger one moment, but I will say that each writer needs to figure out what works best for him or her and not feel guilty about it. I am a pantser through and through. I used to feel guilty about not outlining and not following a set formula. But I've since gotten over that. I write by the seat of my pants, and I now accept that that's just the way I do things. Honestly, I can't imagine knowing how everything turns out ahead of the actual writing. For me, writing without an outline is freedom; not knowing how each scene or chapter is going to turn out is exciting.
What role does research play in your writing, and how do you approach it?
I love the details, but I try to avoid getting lost in those same details such that it distracts the reader. I research as I write. Research is one of my favorite things about the writing process, because I love to learn new things. As a reader, I love the details as long as they add value to the narrative. Thus, I try to apply that same concept to my writing.
What message or takeaway do you hope readers will gain from your book?
Number one, I want readers to feel that their investment (both time and money) was well spent. Reading is definitely an investment. More importantly, I hope my writing causes readers to think, to be curious, to research things on their own, to be inspired and entertained in a way that will draw them closer to God.
Can you talk about any upcoming projects or books you’re working on?
If all goes according to plan, I hope to publish two books in 2025. The 3rd installment in the Warrior Spy series should release sometime in the spring followed by Nathan Press book #2 in the fall. Also on tap in the coming months is a Nathan Press short story that will be free and only available to subscribers of my email newsletter. Readers can stay abreast of all my projects by subscribing to my email newsletter and by following me on social media. They can sign up for my email newsletter via my website: DonyJayBooks.com.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue writing?
That's easy. I read. A lot. Reading challenges me to be a better writer with each sentence, chapter, and new book I write.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are just starting out?
Number one: Read. Read with an eye for how the author forms sentences, sets a scene, develops characters, and draws a reader into his/her world. Read about writing. There are some really good books I've read over the years that aspiring authors can find over on my website in the Toolbox section. More will be coming, too. Most importantly, commit yourself to the long haul. Writing is a solitary venture and takes time to not only develop all the necessary skills but also your own personal style/voice. There are no shortcuts. Learning the craft and then applying those skills is a lifelong endeavor. If you want to be a published author, be determined, be willing to learn, try new things, and be willing to make mistakes.
Next, and this cannot be overstated: Write. Someone once said, "Allow yourself to write a bad chapter." When you first start out, your writing may not be great. And that's okay. You'll get better with practice, time, and perseverance. You'll tighten it up through the editing phase. Just get words on the page, and you'll be happy you did. Writing is like any other skill, whether it's golfing or cooking or driving a car--the more you do it, the better you'll get.
Lastly, find your tribe. The writing community is comprised of many folks who are willing to help, to mentor, to give you insights, and to guide you along the way. Keep in mind that each writer's journey is unique. There are some basic rules to be aware of, but in the end, there is no set path you must follow to being a successful writer. And when you find your footing, be willing to help others. We are all in this together. We learn from each other. We encourage and help one another. And we're all better off because of it.
Now for his novel...
Fresh off six months of work-related medical leave and still reeling from a divorce, Providence Police Detective Sergeant Nathan Press receives a cryptic letter from Riley Talbert, a prominent attorney friend, imploring that they meet. Included in Talbert’s message is an ominous warning: Tell no one.
When Talbert fails to show for the meeting and instead washes up dead on a riverbank, Press and his squad of crack detectives are thrust headlong into a murder case that is far bigger than anything they could have ever
imagined.
Determined to untangle the knotted clues and solve his friend’s murder, Press unearths the terrible secret at the core of the investigation—a secret that some people will do anything to keep hidden. But if Press is going to expose their evil designs to the light of day and bring Talbert’s killers to justice before more people die, he’ll have to risk more than just his badge. He will have to risk everything, including his life.
Murder By Half is coming your way October 8, 2024. Make sure to check it out anywhere books are sold.
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