Hello, and welcome to Sunday Speed Dates! Today I am pleased to welcome J.M. Ames.
J.M. Ames is an author native to Southern California. His first publication was the short story ‘The Last Ride’ in 2016, in the anthology A Journey Of Words, by Scout Media. When not working hard at his Day Job or enjoying his fatherly adventures, he writes other short stories and novels, including an upcoming series. J. M. resides in Southern California with his wife, two daughters, and two adopted Chihuahua mixes. A Journey of Words was released on 09/01/2016.
Thanks for being my guinea pig on this inaugural Sunday Speed Date. I’m just going to jump in and start asking questions!
First, let’s let everyone get to know you a bit better.
When and why did you begin writing?
I’ve written off and on since I was a kid, more as a hobby than anything else. Stories, poems, songs. I’ve always wanted to write professionally. At the start of 2016, I was a 40-year-old man feeling the proverbial mid-life crisis. In lieu of getting a Harley, I decided to start writing seriously. I began in February 2016.
Are you a morning or night person?
Given the choice, most definitely a night person. I tend to stay up into the wee hours of the night. My Day Job does require me to get up pretty early sometimes, though.
I totally understand, being a night owl myself. :)
What does your family think of your writing?
They are supportive, especially now that things are happening. I think in the beginning nobody thought much about it, but that has changed since my first story was picked up for publication.
That is so awesome. You are very lucky to have the support of your family. This writing thing isn’t easy!
So, let us talk about your writing a bit.
What inspires you?
Life. Every single one of my stories, no matter how strange or fantastical, has something in it that is at least based on a real life experience. No, I’ve never come across a telekinetic houseplant or giant pillbug, but I have been broke before and had to struggle to pay the bills, I have been in love.
At any given moment, I’ve got dozens of potential plots floating around inside my head. Sometimes one hits me hard that I need to write on it, other times an opportunity for an anthology comes along to spur me forward. While the main plot may be pure fiction, the characters, settings, and subplots are all inspired by real life people, places, and events.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Different people call it different things – Method Writing or Emotional Writing. I tend to call it writing from the heart. When writing a scene that I want to have an emotional impact, I don’t just put myself in that character’s head, I pull from my own life experiences. If I want the reader to experience pain, love, laughter or anger, I recall times in my life where I have felt the same way. I process it and let that emotion engulf me, then put myself into that character’s head, and write. It is during those times that I tend to crank out words at a healthy clip, usually in the 1200 an hour range. The writing is raw and needs a lot of cleanup after, but the emotions have come out. The key is to not lose the strength of that emotion in the editing process.
What book or stories have most influenced your writing the most?
I grew up reading a lot of books, but Stephen King more so than any other author. Most of my works tend to be a little less horrific and otherworldly than King’s but I can definitely see the similarity in the writing styles.
Your current story was just released in an anthology – congratulations, by the way. That is really exciting for your first time out!
Tell us a little about “The Last Ride”.
On 09/01/2016, my very first story was published. The title is “The Last Ride”, and it is part of the anthology A Journey of Words. The anthology consists of 35 stories from authors around the world, with a common theme of taking a journey. “The Last Ride” is about a boy growing up with his dog, as told by the aging dog himself.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he do that is so special?
In reality, there are two main characters – The Boy, and his unnamed dog. The story is really a love story – not a romantic one, but one about the special bond that can only occur when a very young child and very young animal are raised together, and overcome various obstacles together.
What did you enjoy most and least about writing this story?
This story is Creative Nonfiction. I was The Boy, and Max was my dog. All the events in it are real, but obviously telling from Max’s perspective is the Creative part. I still love Max, more than I’ve ever loved any pet since. He was my best friend. Recalling everything in that story was very bittersweet. I have to admit, I wrote the rough draft in a 90-minute flurry of writing, and I cried the whole time.
Oh, my. I hope some were good tears. I think almost everyone can relate to that one companion we had growing up. It is such a special bond we have with our pets.
Alright, time to lighten things up a bit.
Tea or coffee?
While I do enjoy a good Lady Grey or Green tea, I am definitely a coffee man. Without it, I am a cantankerous grizzly bear.
I can relate!
What is the craziest thing you’ve done lately?
Well, I did some fundraising for my daughter’s sports tuition last month, working the Duran Duran concert at Irvine Meadows. To make a long story short, I worked backstage, was within a few feet of the band, their caterers fed us, and did so much physical labor that I ended up in the hospital a few days later (I am fine).
Wow! I’m glad you’re okay now. But how exciting does that sound to be backstage with the Duran Duran? There’s a story you can use forevermore: that one summer I worked backstage with Duran Duran…
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can shake my eyeballs without moving anything else. I also have the worst singing voice in all of Southern California.
Wiggling eyeballs. I’m intrigued, yet slightly grossed out!
What is your advice to other writers?
Don’t just write what you know, write from the heart. Learn all the rules of writing properly before deciding when you should break those rules. Most importantly – never stop writing. Write as often as you can, regardless of your inspiration.
That is so true.
What projects do you have in the works?
Too many to list, so I will stick to the ones that have significant traction right now:
“The River Sticks” – An old man who has lost all those he cares about, only to find they’ve all returned for one last game – a game for his life. For the upcoming anthology A Haunting of Words. Short Fiction.
“One More for the Road” – A young alcoholic gets in a single car accident while celebrating birthdays with a close friend who did not survive. This will tell the tale of what happened that night, and the medical, legal, and personal struggles he has had to face since, from his perspective. For the upcoming anthology Flooded. Short Nonfiction biography.
Wow. It sounds like you have a lot going on with your writing! That is so exciting!
Where can readers get a copy of Journey of Words?
You can order the book in a variety of ways with different perks each via my website.
Speaking of a website, where can we keep in touch with you and your writing?
I can be found on the web at: JMAmes ~ Scribe’s Circle ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon ~ Good Reads ~ LinkedIn
Thanks so much for stopping by J.M. It was a real pleasure chatting with you. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of A Journey of Words and to see what you come up with next!
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