My interview with Jay Plemons

 Jay Plemons is a very talented man. He has a BS in music with emphasis in publishing and copyright law, an English degree, and a Music degree. As I said, very talented. However, he is also the author of the Last Light Falling series, and freely admits if he isn't drumming, then writing is his next love.
I met Jay on Twitter and found him to be very down to earth. He's very polite, and very much the gentleman, and I, for one, just couldn't resist wanting to find out more. I asked Jay if he would be willing to do an interview with me, which he gracefully agreed to do being the gentleman that he is, and now I'm sharing that insight into Jay with you.

This is what Jay has to say...

Why did you decide you wanted to become a writer?
 
Simply put: reading. Reading is the quintessential ingredient for writing. But I didn't choose to become a writer. It chose me. I wrote short stories and poetry all the time as a young child until I became glued to film during my teen years—that's when I delved into screen-writing. Most of my writing was for me and my little inner world of fantasy, escapism, and just pure entertainment. I never at any time dreamed I would grow up to become a writer. In fact, I was hoping to become a late night talk show host, professional baseball player, or a chef working in a five star restaurant. Who knew?
 
What was the thing that drove you the most to do so?
 
Reading other Author's stories. I thought it was silly to waste a talent I'm not using, even if it wasn't the best. I've experienced so many different careers and skills in my life, I thought it was time to choose one I could enjoy for a lifetime.
 
Why did you pick the genre/s that you have?
 
No particular reason. I love most genres. I intend to reach out to the psychological thriller genre when I'm done with my dystopian series. Just like the experiences in my life, I prefer to be versatile. I get bored easily, but my mind is in a constant state of change and imagination.
 
Who is your favourite character, and why?
 
No doubt, Arena. It was so easy to create and develop her character because I mirrored her traits and personality from my own daughter. But the mundane trials she grows up with and faces in the story are based on my own personal experiences. I just thought it would give the novel better appeal if I vicariously lived them through this 15 year old girl. 
 
Do you have any particular quirks when writing?
 
Strange, but it must be very warm. I hate the cold with a passion. I can't concentrate when I'm feeling uncomfortable. During the cold season, I use a small heater under my desk to toast my feet.
 
What does your family think of your work?
 
They love it. My mom read both books, something she isn't accustomed to reading, but gave me great feedback. My wife is an editor so I get the best constructive criticism, even if I don't want it, hehe. Because of my family, I've had to tone down my writing, which turned out to be a great idea.
 
How do you deal with writers block?
 
Ha! Get on Netflix. Not sure that helps though. Writer's block is no more than procrastination. I was asked how I dealt with it before and I'll answer it the same way. I exercise, watch a movie, read a book, play my drums, have sex. Not in any particular order, as some may derail others. ; )
 
What would you say is the most difficult part of writing?
 
Most would say developing characters, but I quite enjoy that part of a story. I would have to say Dialogue, Dialogue, Dialogue. It can move a story, yet it can slow the prose in profound ways. It's an art no doubt, and I've been trying to craft mine for years. I used to write screen plays, but dialogue in a script is so much different than a novel. Where description moves a story in a novel, it's dialogue that pushes a story in film. Very different, yet both are hard to master. I absolutely detest clichés or tropes. It drives me insane.
 
Are your characters based on anyone you know?
 
Arena's traits are purely based on my daughter, Mikaela, and Gabe's personality is based on my son, Gabriel. The experiences these characters live are based on my very own as a child. I like coming up with characters based on real people that I have either read about or have actually met. Makes it so much easier to build and develop. Many of what is written is part of my past or stories revealed to me through my grandfather. Some things are obviously embellished, but some are very real. I won't tell you which ones. I'll let the readers guess.
 
What do you do in your spare time to relax?
 
Relax, what's that? I'm usually playing with my kids and making really bad horror movies with them. I love being outdoors and active. I'm still a ten year old child living in a 43 year old body, and I don't see myself growing up anytime soon.
 
What do you like to read?
 
Thrillers, Dystopian, and well done fantasy books. I like strange and unusual stories with characters that will stay with me a long time. Also love historical non-fiction. History is a passion of mine.
 
Who is your favourite author?
 
I don't really have just one, but if I had to choose a modern day inspiration, it would definitely be Stephen King. But what jump started my inner imagination would have to be C.S. Lewis and Tolkien without a doubt for their courageous unsolicited effort to go against the pretentious grain of the book publishing world during their time. They both have created timeless characters and stories to which have inspired many to follow in their writing footsteps. Robert Lewis Stevenson and Jack London, two of the greatest authors of our time, for their masterful real-life characters and colorful story telling through prose and poetry.   
 
Where are your books available?
 
Everywhere, here are a few:
 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
Smashwords
iBook
iBook
GooglePlay
Book Depository 
booksamillion 
abebooks.com 
Indie Bound 
Cherry Hill Publishing (Audio Format)
kobobooks 
 
What are you working on right now?
 
I'm delighted to be almost done with book III, Last Light Falling - The Ten, but no spoilers here I'm afraid. Release date should be available April 2016. I'm pretty busy right now working with an executive producer for the movie franchise. The script for the film is in the pre-stages as we speak. This film series is going to be epic.

Here is how you can find Jay Plemons
 
Website: http://www.lastlightfalling.com/
 
Twitter: @lastlightfallin
 
FacebookFanPage: https://www.facebook.com/lastlightfalling.Plemons/
 
LibraryThing: http://www.librarything.com/author/plemonsje


I'd like to thank Jay for taking the time to interview with me, and for answering my questions with a grace I have come to admire about him. It's been an enlightening experience to learn what I have about Jay, and I hope he enjoyed it as much as I did.
Please take the time to connect with Jay and follow his progress and any new ventures he begins. You won't be disappointed. 

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