JL Barnett-An Interview with the Author
An Interview with the author of Storm’s Wake-J L Barnett
From time to time, The Reading Cafe will feature new and upcoming authors. Today we would like to introduce-JL Barnett.
I enjoyed JL Barnett’s new book STORM’S WAKE so much that I approached JL about an interview-hoping to get more information about the future storylines (he won’t spill any secrets 😉 ) but most importantly to learn about the man behind Jake Storm.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞GIVEAWAY∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
JL Barnett is offering a signed copy of his new book -Storm’s Wake
To qualify:
1. You must be a member of The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register today.
2. Please post a comment on our interview with JL –say hello !!
(Open to US and Canada residents only-sorry)
TRC: Hi JL and welcome to The Reading Cafe. We would like to start with some background information.
Name: J.L. Barnett
Resides: Georgia
Age: 39
Married: 16 years
Children: 5
US Army Veteran: Service ended July 2001
Hobbies: guitar, computers, Medieval chain mail armor
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TRC: Would you please tell us something about yourself?
JLB: It’s hard to find a decent spot to start when it comes to yourself, or at least for me. Born and raised Georgia boy. I got married young and had to grow up fast. Skip forward 30 years to the writer, that part took time to evolve. I didn’t like writing as a kid, even though my mother always told me my imagination was a bit on the strange side. (lol).
TRC: As a child, what were your interests growing up?
JLB: As a kid, I loved anime type things. The cartoons that really caught my attention were like Star Blazers, Classic Voltron, Space Giants, Justice League… Yes, that really shows my age. LOL… But in the late 70s / early 80s these were revolutionary shows. It had kids wanting to be space pilots or superheroes, saving the universe every day.
TRC: When did you become interested in writing? Have you always thought about writing as a career choice?
JLB: My interest in writing only recently came to be. I honestly never thought about writing as a career. As a teenager, I was introduced to the late Roger Zelazny’s work. I was drawn in. From there, my wife introduced me to writers like Mercedes Lackey. I also found Anne McCaffrey’s work intriguing. But overall, it was a couple of coworkers (and my wife especially) who encouraged both my writing and my pursuit of it as a career. Ladies like Miranda Harrell, Debbie Forcier and LeAli Bean, each with very unique likes and dislikes in books, music and style. Seeing how I could intrigue them with a story, and watch them eagerly want to know more, struck a chord in me that said I could really do this on a larger scale.
TRC: Have you had any works previously published?
JLB: No.
TRC: As a former US Army soldier, have you ever considered writing novels featuring the military?
JLB: I have considered it, but its hard for me as a soldier to write about things that way. No civilian can ever truly understand a soldier’s life, or dedication. While I know I could write on this, I also know it would be a harder process as I would NOT want to disrespect the sacrifice any soldier gives. Some stories just bring up memories better left forgotten. But in the scheme of sci-fi / fantasy, I wouldn’t say I’d never write something with a military theme or featuring the military.
TRC: Your new novel from the series “The Chronicles of Jake”—Storm’s Wake —(paperback released December 2011/Kindle January 2012) features your hero– Jake Storm—a man who awakens from a 6 year coma, with no memory of what has happened and why? Would you tell us how you came up with the concept for this book?
JLB: How did I come up with this concept? That in itself is a good question. When I began, I started with a simple prologue of 1 word. Darkness. After that, I worked backwards from the emotions I was trying to create and brainstormed scenarios that would cause it. From there, everything else just came out. Okay, maybe not exactly like that… But sometimes good stories just happen. I’ve learned I’m not a writer that can sit down, draw up an outline of events, and make a story. I write by inspiration, muse, mood… When I created Jake and his story, I was not trying to be a writer. I was researching an author my kids were reading and was inspired at her story about how she began. From there, I took my story and wrote a few hours every day, until I found an ongoing storyline that my wife enjoyed hearing me read. I spent every day hearing “AND????”. Only to leave her hanging and wanting for more.
TRC: You and I have previously discussed the sense that the reader feels ‘disconnected’ with the characters, especially in the first ½ of the book. Would you please explain how this fits with the premise of the storyline?
JLB: As we discussed, Jake’s story begins immediately with him feeling like the world around him just isn’t right. I want any reader to experience not only Jake’s disconnection, at how he wakes up in a time he don’t remember, and the pain and frustration this causes, but also to experience the emotions and events that happen. How his mind and body seem to “know” things while his memory of anything before the hospital is blank. As you stated, you felt “disconnected” with the characters. I’ve had other readers who relate with the characters on many different levels, with their experiences, and how the story unfolds. It’s what makes the whole experience unique, each reader seeing the same story and getting a totally different view than someone else. Not everyone will connect with any or all the characters. But if you find yourself reading the story and getting to the end of a chapter and eagerly find yourself unable to put it down because you want to know whats next, then I’ve succeeded. 🙂
TRC: Tracie, is the woman from Jake’s life prior to his hospitalization, but for some reason, he is unable to remember important facts regarding his relationship with this woman. And now there is a connection between Tessa and Tracie. Would you please explain the relationship between Tessa, Tracie and Jake? Will we see their relationship(s) grow in the next installment of ‘The Chronicles of Jake”?
JLB: N/A.
TRC: Tessa’s ‘demon half’ to her persona, is both human and feral. At times, her ‘demon’ has a hard time distinguishing –friend from enemy. Are her ‘demonic’ attributes, as a result of the forced injection at the labs, during Tracie’s incarceration, or has Tessa always been a demon?
JLB: N/A
TRC: *thinks to self*….I am sensing a pattern…. 🙂
TRC: Charlie, is one of Jake’s only friends. He was one of the first people to help Jake when he was released from the hospital, but towards the end of the first book, Charlie went missing, and the revelation of people with ‘shape-shifting’ abilities has come into focus. Will you explain more about the ‘shape –shifting beings’, and will we see more of these characters in future novels?
JLB: Actually, Charlie didn’t go missing, per say. To explain in detail about him would be a huge spoiler on book 1, but I promise “its in there” . The discovery of people with ‘shape-shifting’ abilities is also part of the storyline. While trying to not sound cliche’, more will be revealed in book 2.
TRC: Are you willing to tell us about Charlie’s significance in Jake’s life and his connection to Jake’s current dilemma?
JLB: This connection is not one I can disclose right now, as it is also part of the ongoing story.
TRC: With the current popularity of paranormal and fantasy fiction, how would you classify The Chronicles of Jake? Sci-Fi? Fantasy? Or a combination of both?
JLB: I would say its a combination of both.
TR: Jake’s biological mother, has been ‘assisting’ Jake with his new-found powers. Would you please tell us about his parents and their connection to Jake’s current troubles.?
JLB: Being able to get this much info about Jake’s biological parents, while very encouraging, also means you have to wait for the later books. Not trying to give away spoilers just yet…
TRC: There are rare instances in the novel, where you refer to the color of eyes or the scent of vanilla, especially as it pertains to his mother. What, if any, is the significance of the vanilla scent?
JLB: Being able to associate this connection of scent to his mother again points to the last statement answer. Sadly, its another intricate part of the story.
TRC: *sigh*..still can’t make him spill…. 😉
TRC: Storm’s Wake ended, with Jake and Dr. Gustov –(the head of the bio-genetics lab, responsible for many of the experiments that resulted in deaths as well as enhanced human beings) held prisoner, and Tessa is now missing, and presumably being tested for her abilities as a shape-shifting demon. Had you considered ‘killing-off’ Dr. Gustov before he had the chance to explain what has happened?
JLB: While I admit, Jake lets his emotions drive him into rash decisions, would you personally be capable of getting up after say a ball bat strike to your head, leaving you immobilized, and find the strength or mental thought to murder a shadowy figure in a dark room? There is more here than meets the eyes, again explained in book 2. I promise.
TRC: Storm’s Rage, the second novel in The Chronicles of Jake, will be release in the Fall of 2012. Will you give us any hint as to the premise of the book? Is there an excerpt available to the public?
JLB: Jake’s story continues, his life becoming more clear, his past explained in better detail. Currently, there are no excerpts available to the public yet.
TRC: How many books have you planned for The Chronicles of Jake series ?
JLB: At this time, I have 3 planned. But I do have a few project ideas that also connect to this series.
TRC: We were brought to your attention by the wonderful and talented Francis J. Cura. Francis is on the cover of Storm’s Wake. Would you please tell us how you met Francis?
JLB: Yes. Francis did send me your way. He told me of his interview and he really felt Storm’s Wake should be shown with the other covers that were listed, but understandably due to timing constraints the interview was posted before I had the chance to get in contact with you ladies. So, how we met was fairly unique and completely by chance. While in the creating phase of Storm’s Wake, even before I had a publisher, I designed a cover. I went through a few different ideas. I researched online for help in getting a cover put together, reading many blogs and forum listings. One suggested looking into royalty-free photos. So, I went to one of the suggested sites, and found an image of a man standing near woods with a panther in the background. I felt an instant click and did some research to find out who he was. Took me a few days of searching and tracking to find his website (http://www.francisjcura.com/). I read all about him. The more I read about him, the more I thought he’d be perfect for this. Before then, I had never heard of him. So, through the contact us section, I wrote him. He was very nice, right off the bat.
TRC: Are you still in contact with Francis on a regular basis?
JLB: He and I do stay in contact. We email back and forth. With his busy schedule, and his growing popularity, we don’t speak every day by any means. But I consider him a friend and am honored for his image to be on my book.
TRC: Will Francis be the cover model for ALL of The Chronicles of Jake?
JLB: I hope so. If it were up to me, I’d say absolutely. He and I have both talked about it, and tossed a few ideas around, and he seemed very excited about it. We’ll have to see what the future holds.
TRC: What are you currently working on?
JLB: Storm’s Rage is my current focus. That while trying to promote Storm’s Wake. 🙂
TRC: Does you wife help you with your ideas or your writing?
JLB: Absolutely, I read to her and my children too when they are interested. She is my #1 toughest critic, and biggest fan.
TRC: Is there anything else you would like to add about The Chronicles of Jake?
JLB: While I know it seems that there are many unanswered questions, I do know that the answers are coming. Book 1 has brought you many notable characters, all intertwined with the main hero in some shape, form or fashion. This series is a trilogy, and book 2 reveals many new things, answering questions asked throughout this interview. Knowing this, its hard not to give spoiler answers and explain everything you can go … OH, I see. Just know they are coming, as quickly as I can get them there.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Movie: Interview with a Vampire…
Favorite TV Show: tie Law and Order:SVU and NCIS
Favorite Author: Roger Zelazny
Last Book that you read: The Host
Favorite Food: Chinese (Beef w/Broccoli)
Last Vacation Destination: Panama City Beach, FL.
Boxers, Briefs or Commando (we always ask): Boxer Briefs
Who is your muse? Zelazny, Meyers, Lackey (combination, no single)
Favorite Sport: Basketball
Dark or Milk Chocolate: Dark…. especially with peanut butter and a glass of milk… 🙂
TRC: Thank you J.L. for taking the time to answer our questions. It is always a pleasure to meet the person behind the book and author. We look forward to Storm’s Rage in the fall and wish you the best of luck with all of your upcoming projects.
Click Here to Order from Amazon: STORM’S WAKE by J L Barnett
Click here for J L Barnett blog: Chronicles of Jake
