Hello everyone! Today we have the pleasure of having young adult author Jason C. Joyner with us. Jason is a physician assistant, a writer, a Jesus-lover, and a Star Wars geek. He’s traveled from the jungles of Thailand to the cities of Australia and the Bavarian Alps of Germany. He lives in Idaho with his lovely wife, three boys, and daughter managing the chaos of sports and superheroes in his own home. Launch, a YA superhero novel, is the first book in the Rise of the Anointed series.
Thank you for joining us!
1) What is your favorite part of speculative fiction?
I love the potential in speculative fiction. By choosing a fantasy or science fiction setting, we can explore themes, situations, settings, and possibilities that wouldn’t be possible in realistic fiction. And who doesn’t want a magical sword or a laser blaster anyway?
2) Everyone seems to have a “how I got published” story. What is yours?
Twitter! I participated in a Twitter pitch party for manuscripts focusing on Christian fiction called #FaithPitch. My publisher Little Lamb Press hosts #FaithPitch, and they liked my tweet pitch. I sent in a partial submission and they asked for a phone call to discuss things further. A 21st century way of getting noticed.
3) If you could travel anywhere for book research (all expenses paid) where would you go and why?
I’d love to explore some out of the way places. There’s so much history in Turkey where the apostles ministered, like the ruins of Ephesus. I saw pictures from Baku, Azerbaijan, which is their capital city on the shores of the Caspian Sea. They have futuristic skyscrapers along with ancient architecture.
4) Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are some examples?
I found out there are artists who produce instrumental music for trailers, commercials, etc. The music is usually cinematic, so it really helps give what I’m writing an epic feel—at least to me. I’ve enjoyed artists like Audiomachine, Really Slow Motion, and Thomas Bergersen.
5) Besides speculative fiction, what other genre would you like to write in?
My first novel is a suspense, and I still love to incorporate the tension in that genre in my speculative works. I’d like to write a pure suspense again down the road.
6) What is the last book you read?
I’m reading a new series by Steve Rzasa that he’s publishing early next year, Mercury On Guard. It’s urban fantasy, and it’s engrossing. I’m excited to see readers enjoy it when it comes out.
7) How do you come up with your story ideas?
I get my inspiration from visuals in my head. For Launch, I thought of teens having different powers. I imagined an African-American guy racing around, and needing new shoes because he burned through the soles. There was a blonde girl in a goth phase trying to dye her hair black, but the dye wouldn’t stay because she controls light.
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Thank you, Jason! Here is where you can find him online!
Social media:
Facebook – You can join my Facebook group, The Heroes’ Hangout at www.facebook.com/groups
Purchase links:
Amazon
Great interview!
Great interview!
Way to go, Jason!