What's up, guys?
Today, I thought I'd do something a little different and jump into an interview with a local author from Alabama. I've known this guy for several years, and he just released his first book last week.
A lot of people often wonder what goes through a writer's mind when they're crafting their next big story, so here's your chance to get in on the ground floor!
So, I made what I thought to be a decent list of questions and fired away at him. For the sake of the interview, I told him to treat the questions as if they were being asked by a random interviewer he'd never met.
Here's what he had to say:
So, how long have you been writing, exactly?
JD: I started writing at about 10th grade in High School. So, about 10 years, give or take. I used to just sit in class and write, when I didn't have anything else to do.
Would you say you have a specific Writing Style?
JD: Well, a lot of it is Discovery-Writing. I usually have an idea about what type of story I want to do, like Horror, Parody, etc. But beyond that I just sit down, let my mind go, and let the story take care of itself.
Would you say Discovery-Writing is superior to Heavy Outlining?
JD: I wouldn't say it's superior. I know a lot of writers that use outlines for their stories and the end product is a great read. I think it really depends on the type of person you are. Some people need heavy outlines to stay on track. For me, most of my work is spur of the moment, so I don't need a heavy outline.
What writers have had the biggest influence on your style?
JD: Definitely Voltaire. He was the first person to get me interested in writing. His first work, Candide, was the first book I ever knocked out in one sitting. He helped me understand that you have to be a great reader to be a great writer. Also, a lot of my humor comes from both him, and Christopher Moore. And lately, although I thought it would never happen, Stephen King has had a rather big influence on me. The way he develops his characters is brilliant.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider to be your mentor?
JD: When I think mentor I think on a very personal level. But, really as a mentor, I have to say Cam Crowder. I'd given up on writing for a long time before I met him. Then, one night, while we were out having drinks he looked me in the eye after I told him about an old story I'd never followed through on because of an old rejection letter and he said "You're an idiot. Go finish your damn story or you'll regret it for the rest of your life." So, without him, I wouldn't be writing at all.
What are you reading right now?
JD: I'm reading Stephen King's Different Seasons. Specifically, Apt Pupil, and I have to say it's the most psychopathic, gore-filled story I've ever read. (Think I might even use it for inspiration for my 2nd book.)
Knowing that your first book has been out for about a week now, how does that feel?
JD: Well, initially, I was excited and terrified, but so far I've gotten nothing but a lot of positive feedback. I've given out a lot of copies, had someone come up almost immediately and tell me how great it was. For awhile I didn't even want to put anything out because I was scared, so this has been kind of refreshing. I'm sort of a local celebrity right now, and it feels pretty good.
Can you give us a brief description of your first book?
JD: I think I give a different answer for that question every single time. *laughs* It's set in two different worlds, and at first you think the two main characters can't possibly be related, but they are. Then there's this demon, who happens to be my favorite character, who starts getting involved in both their lives, and you start to see how they're connected.
And this is the first in a trilogy, correct?
JD: It is. That wasn't the plan at first, but when I wrote the last chapter, I knew I had to keep going. I'm super excited to be working on the second book, and it's coming along pretty well so far.
For those who might have already read the first book, what can they expect in book 2?
JD: They'll definitely see a lot more of Joel, and a lot more deception. You can also look forward to a lot more emotional and mental anguish, which I personally enjoy, and I hope you do, too. *grins* Oh, and if you like the old man that appears in the first book, he might be working his way back into the pages, but I can't say when or where.
Is there a message in your books that you want readers to grasp?
JD: I think the overall message is really gonna be: bad things happen, and sometimes there's no justice. Sometimes there's always going to be hell to pay. Also, don't let go of the things you cherish most, or you might never get them back.
Any advice for other writers starting out?
JD: I'll tell you what all the author interviews I watched told me: Read a lot and write a lot. Some people say they're afraid to read someone else while they write because it influences them too much. But that's OK!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should plagiarize, but reading other authors sparks your imagination and opens your mind to new ideas. Everyone has their own style, and odds are you're going to have some traits of the writers you read the most, same thing with the movies you watch, but you still have your voice.
Also, writing is something that should always be fun, and if you're just in it to make money, give up now. Put your pen down and just stop, because you'll never make it. You have to focus on it because it's what you love, not just another check.
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