Interview with Terence Jackson

Today we're talking with author Terence Jackson about his BLOOD UNDERGROUND series.

Welcome, Terence! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am originally from a very rural area of North Carolina - spent most of my life there until 2002 when I moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where I still reside. I work at North Dakota State University as an administrative secretary - the only male secretary on campus. I grew up watching all those great black & white horror movies - Dracula, The Werewolf, etc. - on Saturday mornings and I've always had a love for the macabre. I also watched a lot of British television, especially Dr. Who and the comedies so I've been a huge anglophile for some time, as well.

How long have you been writing?

I began writing when I was in college back in the 1970s, never anything serious, though. It was just for me that I wrote - mainly short stories and such. I started writing seriously in 2007 as a way to beat the boredom of winter in Fargo. My first story was "Thirty Days and Counting." It is a military love story I wrote that was inspired by - of all things - a Reba McEntire song. It took me about a year to write it and I had just completed it when I came across the Amazon Breakthrough Novel competition and I entered it. I did okay for a first-timer but I didn't win. I did publish it through Amazon's self-publishing platform and I got the bug - I wanted to write and publish more! My next book was "Von Dred" a vampire story that was inspired by a couple of notes written to me by my work study student at the time. He wound up creating the cover art for the novel. The sequel to "Von Dred" is titled "The Book of Jacob" and it follows one of the characters from "Von Dred" and tells the story from his viewpoint. That brings us up to date and to my proposed trilogy of vampire novels.

Tell us about the first book in your BLOOD UNDERGROUND series. What’s the story about?

The first book in the "Blood Underground" trilogy is "Thavs." Thavs is a term that I came up with that is based on the English term, chavs. The novel tells the story of two men, Henry Stuart and Liam Thackeray, two of the vampires that inhabit the unused tunnels beneath the city of London. In my typical fashion, it gives a good deal of background on the characters so the reader can appreciate why they are the way they are as vampires. What is atypical for me was the style of writing. First, all my stories up until this one have been first person. Secondly, instead of a linear storytelling as in my other novels, this one bounces back and forth between the past - around 1820 - and present day all set up by a series of flashbacks by the main characters until the storyline intersects with itself. The story deals with a lot of vampire lore, both old and new, as well as dealing with human emotions, humanity, and what it's like when one lets the monster win.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

I was in London last October by myself, just after the rioting. I have lots of friends in England but one day I was at odds for anything to do. My best mate works for the Underground as a station manager so in deference to his job I decided to take the tour of the unused portions of the  underground. I found it fascinating the number of unused stations and platforms and tunnels and the condition in which they were left. I always have a notebook with me so if inspiration hits I'm prepared. It did. I took notes on everything the tour guide said and the idea grew and grew that it would make a great setting for a vampire novel.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I do have several people who read my manuscripts before I consider publishing them. Most of them are professors in various fields at the university - art history, philosophy, etc. They give me a good deal of input on the storyline, the background, and insight into the characters. I will then take their suggestions and corrections and do the second writing. After that I usually have one or two friends in England that I will send it to for their input, to see if there are any problems with any of my phrasings, Briticisms, or details. Once I get it back from them I will do the third writing, and after that I usually let the manuscript sit for a couple of weeks and work on other stories. When I come back to the nearly completed novel I read and edit it as I go, taking it very slowly as I go. In "Blood Underground: Book One - Thavs" it added nearly 30 pages to the story when I was done with it all. Then just to satisfy my own anal retentive needs, I order a proof copy and read it through once more before releasing it.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

You know, it took me a couple of minutes to figure out what you meant by "pantser." I'm still guessing that it means by the seat of one's pants. My English friends would probably get a big kick out of "pantser" as it would mean something totally different over there - sort of like how "fanny" means something totally different to an Englishman than to an American. Since I've already spilt the beans that I'm anal retentive - and probably a bit OCD as well - I guess I'd say I am a planner. I make an outline of proposed chapters for a story making changes to it as I go along, but, ususally, the final product sticks pretty much to the outline with which I start. The only time I don't plan out every minute of the day is when I'm in London by myself; it just enjoy it as it comes.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The hardest thing about writing for me is knowing when to stop, or better yet, when to release the story. I'm a perfectionist and it is very difficult to click the mouse on the "publish" key. All the rest of it is easy when compared to actually publishing my work.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I do have things that I have to have around me or in front of me when I'm writing, but it's never the same thing. It's always something different for each novel I write. For instance, for "Thirty Days and Counting" my father had just passed away and I had some of his military medals I had recovered. For "Von Dred" and "Jacob" it was the notes written by my work study student. For the "Blood Underground" series I've been using the photographs I took while on the "forgotten underground" tour. I even made one of them my desktop background on my computer.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Hmm. It's hard to choose. I guess if pushed, I'd have to say invisibility. I'm an observer of everything - people, places, and things - and I just think it would be advantageous to be able to observe without being a part of the equation.

What's the weirdest thing you've googled?

You know, I really don't have an answer for this question. I guess it would have to be vampires and the folklore behind them, but nowadays, that's not all that weird.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: understand, underground, and underwear.

I understand that you have to wear underwear on the underground.

Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

thinking about some piece of dialogue or scene-setting for a story.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs.

Wow, I'm not sure you have enough space but I'll try!

I guess first would have to go to Hazel Larsen, fellow author for turning me onto your blog. I've had the pleasure of beta-reading her last novel and we've become good friends.

Next would be to my test subjects at the university - Dennis Cooley, professor of Philosophy and Ethics, and Kris Groberg, associate professor of art history. They have been my main readers on all of my stories and are truly honest about my plots, dialogue....everything.

A big shout out to Kris Kobus, my best mate and all round good guy in London. He has been the inspiration for several characters in my books and is probably one of my biggest fans.

Another one of my friends in the U.K, Gerard Stewart, has also inspired several characters, he himself being such a character in his own right.

I have to thank my mom and dad, although both gone and they never got to read any of my books, they were truly inspirational in the way I was brought up and the values they instilled in me.

Another shout out goes to Michael Baumgartner who was the guy who inspired my vampire novels - "Von Dred" and "The Book of Jacob" - and upon whom the character of Jacob was based; also for the great cover art for Von Dred.

A big thanks goes to my mate Adrian - one name, like Cher - in London; he provided the cover art for "Blood Underground: Book One - Thavs." I told him I wanted provocative and he certainly went the distance on that one.

I guess finally would have to be to all those out there who have read and commented on my books. I've been told my writing is everything from "wonderful, inspiring, etc." to "vampire porn" (I get a big chuckle everytime I think about that one) and I take it all in stride. The one thing that does get me is when people read the second book and not the first one in the vampire stories, then complain that there's things missing from the plot - things that are all explained in great detail in the first book. But all-in-all I enjoy the fans and hearing how much they love my writing and that they can't wait for the next book to come out.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?


I have recenlty started a blog which can be found at:
http://terencejacksonauthor.blogspot.com/
I also have a twitter account but don't get on there too much.
https://twitter.com/TerenceJackson6
My Good Reads profile is at:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/335008.Terence_Jackson
My books are all available on Amazon.com (and the corresponding U.K. and several of the other European Amazon sites) in both print and Kindle editions. Here are the different links:
http://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Days-Counting-Terence-Jackson/dp/1434879097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485327&sr=8-1&keywords=terence+jackson
http://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Days-and-Counting-ebook/dp/B001O2SEB0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485327&sr=8-3&keywords=terence+jackson
http://www.amazon.com/Von-Dred-Terence-Jackson/dp/1441452702/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485327&sr=8-2&keywords=terence+jackson
http://www.amazon.com/Von-Dred-ebook/dp/B002S0NIRC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485327&sr=8-4&keywords=terence+jackson
http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Jacob-Terence-Jackson/dp/1449538371/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485327&sr=8-11&keywords=terence+jackson
http://www.amazon.com/The-Book-Jacob-Dred-ebook/dp/B004W9BXL0/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485327&sr=8-16&keywords=terence+jackson
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Underground-Book-One-Thavs/dp/1461135451/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485409&sr=8-33&keywords=terence+jackson
http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Underground-Book-Thavs-ebook/dp/B008PT1NOU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1345485327&sr=8-7&keywords=terence+jackson

Interview with Jonathan Weyer

Half-way through the week! Woohoo! To celebrate, let's have a chat with author Jonathan Weyer. Jonathan's debut novel will be coming out October 1st. Let's get to know him.

Hi, Jonathan, and welcome. Tell us a bit about yourself.

Short phrase answers: Follower of the Ancient of Days. Husband. Dad. Presbyterian minister. Atheist friend. Reader. Writer. Geek.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing since I was a kid. However, I stopped in college because of a bad experience with a creative writing teacher. My wife encouraged me to pick it back up in seminary and so I wrote a YA fantasy novel based on American mythology. The story worked very well, but the writing didn't. I worked hard with a writer's group and read a ton of books on writing itself, Stephen King's book being the best. During that time, I came up with the idea for The Faithful.

What's your book about?

The Faithful is a novel of horror/paranormal suspense. Here is the blurb from the back of book:


Adian Schaeffer is a young pastor at a crossroads. Conflicted with his faith in God and the hypocrisy of the church, he feels alone and depressed. His only companion is his dog, Bishop. When he begins to doubt his faith, he knows he is entering a spiritual battleground. He panics and starts searching for answers.


Then he learns his ex-fiancée is murdered in a possibly demonic ritual and he finds himself catapulted into a deeper fight. Tormented by supernatural entities, Aidan becomes a medium that will hold the key to solving this murder mystery. Readers will find that The Faithful tears at the emotions and doubts of humankind.

Wow, kind of spooky! How did the idea of the story come to you?

Ha, in my shower! Well, the real answer is more complicated. I first come up with the idea of a "paranormalist pastor", who investigated the unexplained. At the same time, I had been jotting down thoughts for a nonfiction book meditating on the passage in the Gospel of John about Doubting Thomas. And finally, I have always wanted to write a good ghost story. So, one day in the shower, all three of those strands wove together into a plot. I really wish all my showers could be that productive.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

I can't turn of my edit button during my first draft. I know everyone says you are supposed to just let things flow, but I can't. I wish I could, it would make things so much easier.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

Music and caffeine. As for the music, it's usually Radiohead and Sufjan Stevens. Something about their music that open my brain to write. As for the caffeine, diet soda or hot chocolate. I can't stand coffee which, I know, is the ultimate writer betrayal. I have to do all my work in a coffee house because I have three kids at home.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Teleporting. There are days where I just want to teleport to the beach or the Grand Canyon.

Sounds like a great idea.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: mechanic, leopard, and pudding.

The mechanic opened the steel leopard and saw that it's insides had been turned into electronic pudding from the intense heat.

Wow, the visuals! Okay, here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Lets hear your shout outs.

Writing Mentors: Naked Writers Group, Stephen King (without knowing it), Charles Williams (Dead mentor)
Networking Support: Italia Gandolfo-Trent movie producer, Michelle Porter, Time Magazine Journalist
Friends and Family who helped with the book: Steve Lutz, Sara Denson,Mike Mattes, My wife.

And finally, where can people find you online?

I'll be riding the blue Tron bike (I told you I was a geek)
www.jonathanweyer.com
Twitter:@spookypastor
Email: jweyer179@gmail.com

Thank you so much, Jonathan, for letting us get to know you. I wish you much success with your book!

Be sure to look for Jonathan Weyer's debut novel, The Faithful, out on October 1st.

Interview with Jenn Johansson

Today we're chatting with a wonderful aspiring writer named Jenn Johansson.

Jenn is 31 and lives in Utah with her husband, two sons and a boy puppy—she says this may or may not have something to do with why she enjoys writing male characters so much.



Welcome, Jenn! Tell us about your manuscripts.

ORACLE is YA Sci-Fi and INSOMNIA is YA Dark Paranormal.

Great titles! Here’s the part where you pitch them. What are your stories about?

ORACLE is about Lexi, a teenage girl who has telekinesis and hates it. At least until she meets a group of people from another world and has to help them save those on Earth who are just like her. INSOMNIA is about Parker, a teenage boy who watches other people's dreams when he falls asleep at night. Pretty cool, until he realizes his little "gift" is going to either make him go crazy or die from sleep deprivation.

Both terrific premises. I've always wanted to have a dream gift. So how did the ideas of the stories come to you?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I think they just evolved over time. A flash of an idea, the boy who sees other peoples dreams, then it is all about asking questions. What then? Until you come up with something really cool.

Are your manuscripts complete or still works in progress?

ORACLE is complete and currently on submission. INSOMNIA is in the works.

For INSOMNIA, do you have a word count goal, and how far along are you at this point?

INSOMNIA is intense, so I don't want it to be too long or it's exhausting. I'm aiming for between 60 - 70k. Right now, I'm just over 30k.

What is your next step?

When INSOMNIA is finished and all sparkly, I'll probably start querying agents. Right now, editing is about as far away as I feel comfortable planning for.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?


I do all of the above. I do a serious amount of self-editing, then I send it to beta readers that are part of my critique group. Every step is essential for me to get to the finished product.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

I have this moment in the middle of writing every book where I'm just aching to hit the delete key about a million times. I just have to get past it and believe that when it's finished, I won't feel that way anymore. So far, it's working.

Good advice. Perseverance! Any other tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?

No book is perfect of the first go around. More than half of writing is being a good editor. No matter what you write, be willing to revise and revise until it's exactly what you hoped it would be. Another thing--get out there. Writers conferences, writers groups, anything, just meet other writers and learn from them.

Yes, self-improvement, self-exposure, and self-promotion. It's all good! Do you have an idea of your book’s cover art?


I gave up the delusion that I'd have any say in this a long time ago. I do hope they use photography and keep it dark. I don't think illustration would be a good fit.

Who are your inspirations?

Orson Scott Card, Piers Anthony, Tom Clancy, J.K. Rowling... this list could really go on and on. A recent book that really influenced me was, "I Am Not A Serial Killer" by Dan Wells. It's an awesome exploration of good vs. evil.


Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. Can you name three things about yourself people may not know?

Let's see... I swim, I sing... and I shouldn't be allowed around any activity remotely gym related. Trust me, people get hurt.



LOL, okay. So here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Who would you like to give a shout out to?

My writer girls and my family. Without them, I'd still be on page 1.

And finally, where can people find you online?

blog: www.jennjohansson.blogspot.com
website: www.jennjohansson.com
twitter: http://twitter.com/JennJohansson

Thank you so much for chatting with us Jenn. I'm crossing my fingers that your publication journey is a successful one!