Post date: May 5, 2017 2:51:50 PM
Jason McCarthy interview with David Alan Binder
Bio from his website: For the story. That’s the motivation for everything I do. Welcome to my journey to try and spread my stories far and wide. Ever since I was young I have always been a writer. From coming up with a whole universe of adventures for my two toys when I was a boy, to performing songs I’ve written on stage as a musician, I have always found myself using my imagination.
Now that I have written my debut novel ‘War Drum’, I am relentlessly marching towards completing ‘My Fiction Mission’.
I am happy to give away the PDF of my book for free here, as I want as many people to read my stories as possible. I also want to help as many people as possible to write and discover their own stories, which is why I have created the series #heyjmchere.
Website/blog: www.jmcauthor.com
Creative Writing Coaching Service: www.jmcauthor.com/coaching
Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAES7ZC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect/260-5626428-6770644?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Amazon US: www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAES7ZC/ref=dp-kindle-redirect/260-5626428-6770644?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jmc.author
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jmc.author
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCUgXIyLfOqU0qAV_UxMlAmw
Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/author/show/8020932.Jason_McCarthy
1. How do you pronounce your name?
Jay-sun Muh-car-fee
2. Where are you currently living?
Bristol, England
3. What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?
I have learned that something that you have written could feel insignificant, but then a reader will contact you telling you that this is the part that inspired them the most.
Put your work out there and it will bring at least one person joy!
4. What would you say is your most interesting writing, publishing, editing or illustrating quirk?
My main writing spot is by the window that looks out at the garden, so I often watch all the birds that flock there and eat the berries off the bush. Sometimes I get quite distracted and stare at them for way too long.
But then I’ll suddenly find great inspiration from watching them, so you maybe it’s not such a distraction after all!
5. Any insights eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?
I self-published through Createspace and Kindle. I found the process of finding an agent to be the equivalent of throwing a coin in a wishing well. I wanted to make my dreams happen, so I decided that I would go solo and build up a following by myself.
I am so glad I made this decision, as I am learning so much every day.
In terms of eBooks vs print books, I have found the print to be more popular. It’s great that in this world of technology, paper books are still going strong.
6. Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published?
The best method for getting a book published is write an amazing book.
However, if you want to wow an agent even more, then prove that you can build a following. Share short stories through social media. Prove that people like your content.
All it takes is a thousand true fans!
If you want to self-publish, then invest in making your book cover and your formatting look as professional as the books in bookshops. You want your book to look not out of place on a bookshelf next to Harry Potter.
7. How did you or would you suggest acquire an agent? Any tips for new writers on getting one?
Answered above.
8. Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers (please be specific and informational as possible)?
Writing a book is a long process. It’s going to feel hopeless at times. But if you have a strong enough reason for wanting to write it, you will keep going. You will be relentless.
Establish your reason for writing. Write it down. Review it every day. This is the only thing that will drive you forward when you are staring at a laptop screen at 3am trying to figure out how you are going to get a character from point A to point B.
9. What was one of the most surprising things you learned with your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating?
I was really surprised with just how many changes happened during the editing process. That’s why it is so important to go over your work constantly if you want to make it the best it possibly can be.
10. How many books have you written?
Only one so far, but the second is being written as we speak.
11. Do you have any tricks or tips to help others become a better writer (please be as specific and information as you possibly can)?
I wake up every morning and write for ten minutes in a journal. I free write and see what comes out. This often goes on for longer than ten minutes because ideas just keep coming. Sometimes you have to let the ideas come, rather than force them.
I have since started a coaching service designed to help people to write the book that they have always wanted and this is a method that I always find to be incredibly effective.
12. Do you have any suggestions for providing twists in a good story?
Don’t go into a story with the intention of adding a twist. I feel it has to be organic and feel right at the moment, otherwise your reader will see right through it.
13. What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd?
I feel a book stands out when you can tell the author has done extensive research on the topic. When I write a story, I try and live it as much as possible. My novel War Drum is all about animals and music so I threw myself into the study of Zoomusicology to try and blend elements of science with fantasy.
14. What are some ways in which you promote your work?
I do a lot of my promotion on Instagram, YouTube and the blog on my website. I also gave a speech at my old school and spent the day helping the kids to write stories of their own.
You will also find me on the networking circuit, as I am always interacting with other entrepreneurs and creatives to try and soak up as much knowledge as possible.
15. What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?
I try and be a lot more organized when I write now. War Drum was actually written mostly on scrap pieces of paper in a folder and it gave me such a headache when it came to typing it all up. One of the pieces of paper was actually held together with tape – I was adamant not to lose that scene!
Now with my second book, I have one designated notepad – honest!
16. What saying or mantra do you live by?
Hold the vision, trust the process.
17. Anything else you would like to say?
If you’ve always been thinking about writing a book…then write a book!