Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m originally from New Jersey, but have lived in Denver, CO for almost a decade. Before I published The Volunteers — my only published book so far — I won a few Emmys for my motion graphics and sound design work. I’ve been writing since I was 14, but only recently decided to publish. It’s been really fun so far, working on getting the book out there — although I much prefer the writing part. But, having the design/video background, I’m able to make all my own promos and book cover designs.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I know initially I was inspired by something Meryl Streep said during a film festival panel. Something along the lines of “Make your main character a female — just see where it takes you.” So I tried it, and it felt great. I was suddenly not writing through my own eyes, or my own imagination. So, I wrote a short film script that got some good responses, and I eventually found a producer. During pre-production, just through conversations, I came up with a lot of ideas. Things I thought we could use to flesh-out the world and characters. Then, the producer dropped out. Since I had a bunch of new ideas and directions for our heroine, Kathryn, I decided to start writing it as a novella, because I knew I could explore those new ideas without the constraints of budget and location, and actors, and all the other things required to make a film. Writing it I explored themes I’d never had a chance to before, and a character that was partially me, but way more. I found myself writing a very conflicted woman, who has a societal fear of being un-kind, and ends up in a spot where kindness doesn’t exactly make sense. It’s more than this, but these are the things I felt when I was writing Kathryn.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know what a usual writing habit would be. I don’t really have a good “routine” so that probably isn’t great. I tend to write less like a novelist and more like a filmmaker, I think. I want images to be in the reader’s head. So I approach writing like that. I tend to get into scenes late and leave early, because I want things to move fast, even when they’re moving slow. I want those pages to turn. I also tend to write scenes as they come to me. They don’t all work, so I cut a lot. But, I often let myself follow scene ideas, and then see how they might fit. That’s kind of backwards and sideways. I guess that’s unusual?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hemingway was my earliest influence. He wrote so much dialog! But it was very… unnatural. People didn’t sound that way to me. But it opened my eyes to the idea that you could create rhythms using dialog, so I stretched that a bit so people sound more like they sound to me. Then I read a lot of Toni Morrison and Michael Ondaatje. Both so brilliant. They taught me so much about the flow of language, and what rules can be broken. I read their work and I see it in my head so easily. Wonderful stuff. Gorgeous prose without being showy, or traditionally “flowery.” The common thread is their command of language. The idea of the author as an authority on their written worlds. There is nothing gunshy about the way these authors write.
What are you working on now?
A novel about the process of grief, based on losing a friend to heroin addiction. This one is semi-biograpical.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still learning this, so I have no idea. I’ve had fun making promo videos so far, and putting them on facebook, twitter, and instagram. I’m hoping Awesome Gang helps a lot!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Realize imagination is your greatest asset, but be hard on yourself. As fun as it might be to write something that feels and sounds like something you love — something familiar to the world, I mean — it’s better to find your foothold within that world, and show the reader your take on it. I mean, nothing will ever been “new,” but shifting a little, and really exploring your own imagination is really rewarding. It’s the process, I think, we all need to take, to find originality in an over-saturated world.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Martin Scorsese said something to David Fincher along the lines of, “The things you’re bad at are as much a part of your style as the things you’re good at.” I think as an artist it’s easy to forget that “style” doesn’t mean “being perfect.” This advice doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to improve, but it does mean you can focus on your strengths and let the other stuff catch up, or just let it be a supporting role for the stuff you do better. Just like our personalities, or our relationships, there are things that shine, and there are things that take a backseat, but they’re all part of the whole. It’s just an important perspective for me.
What are you reading now?
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting The Volunteers as much as I can, and continuing my current book. In between I will be assembling a collection of short stories. That should be out soon!
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?
Instructional manuals. One on fishing. One on hunting. One on building shelter. And maybe a book of dirty jokes. Everyone loves a good joke.
Author Websites and Profiles
J. Aaron Payne Website
J. Aaron Payne Amazon Profile
J. Aaron Payne’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
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