Today’s featured author is a great example of how easily the internet can bring people with common interests together. I met Jon a year ago via the phenomenal LinkedIn group Bloggers Helping Bloggers. Jon and I also belong to a blogger support group that meets online every other week. A year later we’ve also exchanged writing critiques on occasion, and I’ve proofread both of his books. All in all, I admire Jon’s dedication to putting words on the page.
1. Please provide a brief synopsis of your book.
Dropship Troopers is a science fiction story. I do wonder if big battling robots is a sub genre. Or could we create a genre called Rock ’em Sock ’em Robots?
War, it never changes. As our understanding grows and our technology advances, it comes back to new and inventive ways to kill each other. The one thing that never changes are the soldiers who put their lives on the line in order to protect the freedoms of others. These are the men and women working in the combat zones day after day with little to no contact with their families back home.
What happens when you are born to war? This is all you ever know? What happens when you run out of people to fight?
2. Tell us a little bit about what motivates or inspires your writing.
I have worked through a variety of different fields over the past 20 or so years. Many of us spend a good portion of our lives searching for that thing that we want to do. Sometimes it is just building experience to take into your next project.
Through all that work I have always written. It wasn’t always steady but I amassed quite a bit of story in my time doing other things. Of course, through changing computers and such over the years most of the writing is gone now (it was crap anyway).
I started on this path years ago, but life can get in the way. Maybe I wasn’t ready then. When I compare then to now, there is a major difference in the work I do and how I go about getting it done.
3. It’s hard to pick just one, but what do you consider your favorite novel and why?
I love Fantasy and Science Fiction. But there is another element I found that really gets me going. I have a huge crush on satire. I can read pretty much anything that has good satire involved.
When I was in my mid teens before joining the Marines I read Dave Barry quite a bit. I even read his column when I could find it while in the Marines. His work was right up there with the stuff from Douglas Adams. And then I discovered Terry Pratchett and Discworld. I hadn’t thought of it till now but you could probably find Easter egg like references to any of these three in my writings.
4. What is the name of your blog and what can readers expect to find there?
Most of the time you will find flash fiction or a possible writing prompt on my author blog Misadventures in Strange Places. There are occasions when I throw some thoughts out there as well. But really the biggest thing is the flash fiction.
I am a firm believer in sharing. I like to think of it as writing in the open. This is something similar to what Harlan Ellison used to do. He would take up a spot in a book store and take requests. Then he would write out story after story in the public. He made it a point to tape each page to the window of the store so that people could read along.
Some of the stories I post will find their way into published collections that end up for sale as Ebooks (you can always say you read ’em first on the blog).
5. Are you traditionally published or self-published?
At the time of this writing I am self-published. I do submit stories to anthologies and magazines. But most of my work is published by me.
For book covers whenever possible I create either my own photos or art. But when I can’t think of a good cover shot I turn to other artists.
The covers aren’t always beautiful, but there is some logic there. I would rather you dig through and be pleasantly surprised that the story rocks, than be fooled by an awesome cover and find the work inside to be disappointing at best.
6. Can you offer one or two helpful tips for fellow writers when it comes to marketing and publicity?
Write, write, and write some more. Finish your stories.
If you want your writing to be what pays your bills you need to have writing out there for the world to discover. Basically, if you don’t have anything finished there isn’t a need to market.
7. Describe your writing background.
Many years ago, I was an English major in college. That lasted for about a semester. I met a great teacher at the time who was in the process of getting his first book published. This guy gave me the copy of Dubliners that I have sitting on my bookshelf.
During that same semester I ran across a “poet.” The poet taught my creative writing class. He was a hipster before it was cool.
Though I went a different direction with my life at the time I realized what I did and what I didn’t want to be as a writer. I also realized why I would never get a writing degree.
At that time the only thing you could do with a writing degree was become a journalist or an English teacher. I didn’t want to do either of those. My goal then is the same as it is now. I want to be a writer, a teller of stories. You don’t need a fancy degree for either of those.
But here is a side note: Having a degree in business so you can understand the business side of writing (and it is a business if you want to make money) is a bonus. When I finally finished college I did so with a culinary arts degree and a business management degree. Go figure.
8. What does your drafting and/or editing process entail?
As much as I can, I maintain some discipline. I have self-imposed deadlines and assignments that need to be done on a daily basis. If I don’t find the time to get my butt in a chair they won’t get done. In this aspect writing is my job. I show up to work every day.
But then, you really gotta love a job where you play with your imaginary friends. And, my office is in my brewery. I have tap handles behind me while I am working.
I do work with an editor. There is only so much you can catch on your own. My mind tends to wander, you never know if I end up going the same direction at the end as when I started.
9. What future projects can we look forward to?
I have a few standalone stories that will be coming out within the next few months. I am in the process of editing the next story right now. I can’t give too much away just yet other than to say that there will be some Steampunk on the horizon and some Noir fiction coming up.
Much of the future schedule right now is a bit tentative. I have a few stories standing in queue waiting to be finished with edits and such. My current publishing schedule is set to keep a steady flow coming out without giving you too much at once.
10. Is there anything else you want your potential readers to know?
You never know what you might learn from others. Every now and then I like to talk about a couple teachers I had during my semester of college out of the Marines. One of the teachers was a poet (in every sense of the word), a hipster long before we even knew what they are. The other was a novelist. Ted (novelist) was scruffy, he would be the guy to wear a sport coat with elbow patches, but not in a cool way. The dude was a dork.
Notice I remember Ted’s name. The poet will always be just the poet to me. Ted was in the process of getting a book published. He still took time out to help me with a couple stories I was trying to get published back then (they were really bad).
But I realize something as I sit here and reflect on these two. The poet taught me something and he did it all sneaky like. He told me the difference between a poet and a prose writer. Poets seek the creative side where the prose writers spend their time polishing the same thing over and over again.
Now I realize the two distinctions are crap. But there is an important point to know in that. Learn to trust your creative side. You can polish a story to death if you never learn to let go.
You can connect with Jon Jefferson via his author website.
Dropship Troopers can be purchased via Amazon. While you’re there, download a free copy of Fractured Hearts.
Thanks for interviewing Jon. I like his easy-going yet intense style. I’m also a fan of when he writes about food, whether it’s food I would eat or not. He has a way with words and with capturing the reader’s attention.
Thank you. Occasionally I can get some things right.
I enjoyed your interview with Jon. I like his confident, optimistic attitude about writing, blogging, brewing, and cooking. Especially relevant to me is the last answer in this interview, the one about learning to let go of a story and go on to something new. So many writers seem to be mired in a slough of doubt and indecision. Keep up the good work, Jon.
Thank you sir. Keep up the good fight.
I love your author interviews, Jeri ! I learn something every time. I really enjoyed this, Jon! Your book seems fantastic, as does your blog. I love what you wrote about not needing a fancy degree to write stories. And you’re so right about trusting your creative side and not polishing something to death – ugh. I can be guilty of that. thanks again!
Thank you for your kind words. As writers we can all be guilty of overthinking. Makes me wonder if that is something keyed into the DNA of a writer.
I feel like I already know you from your blog posts, tweet and — most of all — short fiction. I enjoyed filling in a few blanks with this interview.
Write, write, write… you are RIGHT!
Don’t fill in to many. That is a dark road to travel.
This is so nice to interview Jon. Both of you know how much I enjoy his writing. Congrats to Jon on his recent and future publications! 🙂
Thank you for your continued support.
Nice interview Jon, good to more about you. I recognized a lot of what you said, especially about life getting in the way, I always say my young adulthood was too busy to write, and now I look at it as a cache to be able to put into my stories – wish I could remember more of it though – most of that in itself was satire and fantasy. lol. Good insights into the writing journey, and what you pick up along the way – always interesting to hear the experiences of others and what they’ve gleaned from life.
Sometimes I feel like I lost quite a bit of the earlier years too. I am pretty sure the 90s were a blur. But every now and then bits and pieces of it all comes back to mind.
I enjoyed your interview with Jon. I think it is great that you formed a relationship on BHB I visit Jon’s site quite often. I now have a better understand of the man behind the writing. Your imagination comes through with your writing. Jon is very good at sucking the reader in and wanting more. Good luck to you now and your future writings.
Thank you muchly.
Even though he sometimes, a lot of times, leaves me hanging, I absolutely love your writing Jon. One thing you said made me think, how many people actually do write to pay any bills? Just curious.
Great interview Jeri – thanks. And thank you Jon!
The media makes it a point to show the people who draw out huge advances. That is no different than many other forms of work really. We know more about high powered CEOs, A list actors, and high paid athletes, than we do about the people doing the day to day work. There are people who have been making a living writing for magazines or news papers, even before the rise of ebooks, that make a living on their words.
The rise of ebooks and the media focus on people like Hugh Howey or EL James put it all in a new light. Now many people think that if they aren’t making a 6 figure income from their one and only book then no one is making money. Or worse, they think that the whole process is easy. As many of us know here, writing is more than just putting words to paper. Even then putting words to paper can be the hardest part at times too.
Sure there are people making a living with their words. The ones who learn how to work in this changing environment will stand the best chance of making it.
Thanks for inviting me into your home Jeri. I hope I didn’t get too much mud on the floor. I knew I should have wiped my feet.
You’re always welcome Jon. Next time you’re more than welcome to do my floors 😉
I recall reading a blog about beer that had your name attached to it, Jon. Are you that person? Either way, I have absolutely zero interest in beer, and so never returned.
I am also in BHB on LI. You seem like a nice person. Your advice about polishing works makes a lot of sense. Timely, too, since I’ve been polishing stories of my own lately, trying to get my first ebook out there.
Good interview, Jeri.
I run both Misadventures in Strange Places and 10th Day Brewing. 10th Day is a local food and beverage blog with primary focus around craft beer.
Oh! I was not aware of your other site – thanks for informing me. I’ll have to check it out!
Nice to see the face behind the man. I’ve never considered writing fiction. I’m a business writer and just don’t I’d have the imagination or flair for the turns of phrase and story telling abilities that required to grip a reader. So I admire you for persevering and writing — and hopefully, making some good money.
Thank you. Does it show that I will never be one of them artsy types that claim I am doing this solely for the “aahhhrrtt?”
Jeri – As we know Jon is a fantastic writer and I am so happy he has published. This is a great interview. Can not wait to see what he does next. 🙂
Thank you Susan. Ya know, I can’t wait to see what I do next cause I have no idea either.
Great interview, Jeri and Jon!
I have come across both Jon’s blogs in the BHB group – too bad i am not a fan neither of fiction, nor of beer. 🙂
I remember Jon though, although i am not a loyal reader of his blogs, i think because of a picture of Stewy he used in one of his posts back then when i was giving it a try (i love Family Guy and Stewy is my fav. character!)
Anyways, i liked this interview very much – especially the realization you don’t need a writing degree to become a successful writer but a business degree could come in handy to sell that brilliant writing that you do without the writing degree 😉
Wish you much success, Jon, with this book and with the many others yet to come 😀
It is always good to be a fan of stories whether fiction or nonfiction.
Great interview; I think the line that’ll stick with me the most is the very last one about publishing a story to death! I probably error more on the “just get it done” side vs the “make it perfect” side, but at least it means I get it done 🙂
It can be difficult to find that perfect middle. But that comes with the experience of actually finishing. Until you have finished something you have no basis for comparison.
Good interview, as always, though I have to admit, I don’t know how it could have gone wrong given how much I enjoy the interviewer and interviewee. It was nice to get a glimpse of some other aspects of Jon.
He gives some sound advice about writing and over fussing. I am learning not to have such a death grip on the pieces I work on from Jon, but haven’t quite worked out he manages it and still has time to polish.
Fabulous – one of my favourites on one of my favourite blogs. It doesn’t get better than this!