Hello again everyone,
It's time once again for a an Indie Author Interview. So may I present Jesse Seth Frankel and his veritable of written work.
1. Hello Jesse, thanks for coming along for this little interview. Could you begin by telling me where you come from, and where we can find you online?
Hi, and thanks for having me along! I was born in Toronto, Canada, a long time ago, and I moved to Japan in my mid-twenties and never really left. My wife is Japanese, and we make our home in Osaka. If people want to contact me, they can find me on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/JessSFrankel ) or Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007640056961 2. Thanks, I'll list them at the bottom of the page too. You're really quite a prolific writer. Is there anything in particular that you would like to promote today? And of course tell us a little bit about it too.
Well, I love writing, and I feel lost if I can't write for a day or two. My latest novel is Twisted, a gender switch story that I believe is a cut above other books in that genre. It has action, feats of derring-do, battles, and even some (chaste) romance. AND...it has a HFN ending, so that's something. I think readers would love it! Here's the link, just in case: https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-J-S-Frankel-ebook/dp/B09Q33XZN2/
3. I'll plonk the link below too. Now big question - how long have you been writing for, and what inspired you to start?
I started writing in my late forties--over ten years--and my older son gave me the idea. He'd seen a cartoon about talking trees. He was around ten at the time, and he said, "Papa, wouldn't it be great if trees could really talk?" That gave me an idea for my first novel, The Tower. It has everything you could want in it: superheroes, romance, adventure, and a twist ending that you won't see coming. Check it out, please!
4. Awesome, I'll have to give it a look. Talking of reading what is the best book you've read and why?
So many! But I have to say Gone South, by Robert McCammon. His style is impeccable, and I was hooked after the first five pages. It's definitely worth reading. 5. With the number of books you've written what I would really like to know is how you get started with each project? Where do you usually draw inspiration from, and do you have an extensive collection of notes for each book?
Everything begins with the idea. I get my ideas from news and my own take on things, throwaway comments on line, and my own whacked-out sense of reality. I don't make extensive notes when I start a project, but I do draw up a basic outline. Of course, everything is subject to change...and I usually change things a lot!
6. I think it's best to be in that mindset too. How long does it normally take you to write a book? Which one has taken the longest?
My first draft takes about three weeks, and then I spend more time polishing it before I submit it. Granted, three weeks isn't very long, but I write fast, and most of my novels are in the 67500 word range. Not too long or too short...just enough. The novel that took me the longest was The Tower, my first. That took about a year, mainly because I didn't know what I was doing. I think I'm much better now!
7. Well done. That's a great turnaround and explains a lot too. Now once finished how have you found marketing your books? I can imagine you've got quite a lot of experience by now, so what do you find works and what doesn’t?
You know, I wish I had the answer to that. For me, Twitter is the most effective way, followed by Facebook. I haven't really tried other online sources yet, but I will. I think the key, if there is one, is to network, support other writers, and hope that they do the same for you. Sadly, many don't, but the ones who do, I'll help them all I can. 8. Have you met any interesting people in the Twitter #writingcommunity?
Many! (Including you, of course). I won't name names--too many--but I will say that I am grateful to each and every one of them. 9. Oooooo thank you very much! Being a veteran that you are, do you have any tips for #indieauthors getting started?
FWIW, do your research, make notes, write first and fix grammar and punctuation and plot holes later. Get those thoughts down first and foremost! Reading aloud does help immensely; if it sounds good, then leave it. If it makes you go "Whaaaaaaaaaaat?" then you should revise it. Above all, write regularly, seek advice whenever possible, and don't be afraid of criticism. That's how we all improve.
10. Should probably get back to my own writing routine... Anyway what are you currently working on? Have you got many projects lined up?
I'm currently writing a novel entitled 'Guardians' and I'm about 40% finished. I have a number of releases this year, so I have to gear up and get ready to advertise them: Phase-Out, Sideshow, Take A Bullet For You, Hoppers, Port Anywhere, and maybe one more. I'm not sure of the release schedule, yet. 11. Awesome, you're super busy. We all love writing of course, so what is your favourite thing about writing?
Probably the writing-thinking-writing process. I love creating, love thinking "What if?" and then acting on that. It's what keeps me going.
12. Tell us an odd fact/story about yourself that not many people know?
Nothing odd, really, just that I learned Japanese long ago and I'm a DC nerd. Superheroes rock, and that's why I write about them so much.
With that thank you very much Jesse and keep up the good work. If you want to know more you can find Jesse via the following methods...
Twittter: https://twitter.com/JessSFrankel
With that it's bye for now. I'll be back soon!
Jon
