Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always been interested in storytelling, and I’ve been “writing” since I could hold a pen. It started off with scribble drawings when I was three and progressed into written language after I started school.
In my second year of high school, I made a terrible mistake. I typed up the first draft of one of my stories and submitted it to a major publisher. As you might expect, it got rejected. That, combined with the drudgery of high school, sucked all the joy out of writing for me.
A few years after I gave it up, one of my friends told me they were publishing a book. Seeing their enthusiasm inspired me to give it another shot myself. I submitted a few stories and articles to various websites, and to my surprise, they got published. My friends encouraged me to keep going and write a real book, so I did.
I currently have three books out. “Sleepers” is a medical sci-fi murder mystery. “When the Leaves Fall” is a historical novelette set during WW1. “The Gloaming” is a lengthy YA portal fantasy.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Gloaming” is my latest book. It’s a portal fantasy novel that follows a human boy and his secret wraith friends as they grow up. The title is the name of the wraiths’ homeland, but it’s also an uncommon English word that means “dusk”. Considering the wraiths’ land is dying, I thought it was a good fit. Plus, it sounds cool and a little bit mysterious.
The inspiration for the story itself is a bit trickier to pin down. I’d been sitting on the idea of creating a new race/species for a while—something different from the elves and vampires and things you normally see in fantasy novels. I wanted the challenge of coming up with an entirely new world and culture. One night, while I was trying to sleep, everything came together in a flash of inspiration. I spent the next six hours writing down ideas, and by the time I was done, I had the outline of a story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes, when I’m working on dialogue, I like to act out the scene instead of just writing it. Reading dialogue aloud makes it easy to identify unnatural or contrived phrases.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Jeremy Bates is one of my biggest influences. He incorporates a lot of atmospheric details into his work, which I love. I’m also a huge Harry Potter fan!
What are you working on now?
I have a lot of projects underway, but I’ve set them aside for the time being. Instead of working on a novel, I’m currently working to improve my writing skills. I’ve been reading about craft, experimenting with new techniques, and working with several different writing coaches. It’s been immensely helpful so far, and I think it will pay off in the future.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
To be honest, I don’t do a lot of self-promotion. I’ve mostly been using Amazon ads, although I’ve had some success with in-person events as well.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Getting feedback is an important part of developing as a writer. Gather a team of people willing to read your work and listen to their comments with an open mind. Savor the positive comments. Don’t get defensive over the negative ones. If you automatically dismiss comments you don’t like, you might be missing out on a valuable learning experience. That said, don’t let anyone pressure you into making changes you don’t agree with. At the end of the day, it’s your story and you’re the only one who can tell it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you love. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, then what’s the point?
What are you reading now?
“The Feed” by Nick Clark Windo
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have two novels that I want to finish in 2020/2021. One is a sci-fi novel about a rag-tag group who need to stop an asteroid before it destroys the world. The other is a high fantasy novel about a cursed dryad and her adoptive brother. The final drafts have been written for both books. I just need to refine them.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury
“Parasite” by Darcy Coates
“Monument 14” by Emmy Laybourne
“Harry Potter: The Complete Collection” by J.K. Rowling (or is that cheating?)
Author Websites and Profiles
J.R. Schuyler Website
J.R. Schuyler Amazon Profile
J.R. Schuyler’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account