Jim Musgrave is the author of six novels and three collections of short fiction. He is also the owner of English Majors Reviewers and Editors, LLC in San Diego. He's a college professor married to Ellen. He's been short-listed a few times in literary competitions but, as yet, no cigar.
http://www.facebook.com/ezgraves
Do you plan everything or just let the story flow?
It depends on the genre. With literary types of novels, I let it flow along with the characters and their "needs." With a genre book, such as a mystery, I work with an outline.
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
Yes, but I must keep them subservient to the needs of other characters. I never know which character will appeal to which reader, so I have to give them equal time as much as possible.
What is your favourite food?
Chinese.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
It depends upon when "the spirit moves me."
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
England because half of me is from the islands.
Do distant places feature in your books?
Yes, if the setting is distant, such as Russia.
Do you listen to music while writing?
Yes, I listen to classical.
Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
My literary novel is about an African-American and gay music promoter who finds out his mother is one of the famous Brighton United Siamese Twins, the Hiltons. Although he's 31, this is a coming-of-age novel, as he attempts to contact his mother, Daisy, and resurrect her musical career along with sister, Violet. Trouble is, it's 1968, and they are 60, and the gig is the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. The Counterculture meets the forces of the State, and the violence prevails, but mother and son have a nice reunion.
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
Oy vey! I suppose since I published my first "big publisher" book in 1996, I have learned that being an independent author gives me the control over content that I have also wanted. Also, whether big publisher or indie, the reader is still the king! Write a good book and it will sell. Simple formula, eh what?
Is there anything you would do differently?
Much more personal marketing like I'm doing right now!
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
Putting my posterior in the chair and doing it until my fingers are numb. In other words, I continued because people told me I had talent, but practice was the ingredient to achieve moderate perfection.
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Get people who've been down the publishing road before to mentor you. I would prefer fellow authors, but anybody who has been in publishing and/or agenting could suffice. Practice makes perfect.
What are three words that describe you?
Creative, insistent, reckless.
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
Craft: James Patterson
Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book
My new Pat O'Malley Mystery, "Forevermore," will be sold as an audio book the beginning of April, 2013. Shandon Loring (a real live Irish man!) will be reading, and I am very pleased with his voice!
List of previous books if any
Better to giveth the link: http://www.contempinstruct.com/books/books.htm
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
My most recent books have web sites: http://www.contempinstruct.com/Forevermore/
http://www.contempinstruct.com/FreakStory/
Personal Blog:
http://efraimzgraves.wordpress.com/
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