Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and grew up in New Jersey. I joined the military right out of high school because there really were no other options for me at the time.
In the Army, I merged into the Information Technology career field and became a Network Engineer after I got out of the service in the mid-2000s. I have 4 children.
The oldest followed in my footsteps and joined the Army. The other three are still in high school.
So far I only have two published books. My anthology, Shadows of light, is a collection of stories and poems that I wrote from my childhood up to my late 20’s early 30’s, and my debut novel Clifford’s War, which was published end of May this year.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Clifford’s War: The Bluegrass Battleground.
My inspiration came from many sources so it’s hard to say one thing. I can tell you that the beginning of the book was inspired by the church that is printed on the back.
That is an actual church and I took (and edited) that picture. It is a little famous as it was on a TV show about haunted places. I actually found that out after I published it.
The church is located in Virginia and when I saw it, I just so happened to have my camera with me, so I turned around and snagged a picture of it. I had this fleeting thought: “What if someone was trapped inside?’
That gave me the idea of Clifford being trapped in an abandoned church.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It’s hard to say. I think all authors have different habits. I still work full time, so my writing can be fleeting. I get ideas and take notes so when I do find time to write, I find myself reading over days or weeks worth of notes to refresh my memory.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the fast pace of James Patterson’s work. I want to keep my writing fast-paced like his because I know that I have read some other work where I stopped to think “Where is this going?” and I would put it down.
What are you working on now?
Promoting Clifford’s War. I should start the sequel soon. 🙂
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
You have to put it everywhere. All the media’s including Goodreads. The more your book is out in the world, the better chance it will end up in someone’s hands.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! I have started and stopped writing so many stories that could have been hits.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You really haven’t started writing your novel until your first edit after your first read-through.
I found that my “Rough draft” is crap. Just like any art, you have to add, remove, change, mold, tweak, and chip away until it’s perfect. Writing is no different.
What are you reading now?
Memory Man – David Baldacci
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a lot of ideas still floating around. I plan on working on Clifford2 over the fall and winter and I might have another genre up my sleeve as well.
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?
How to purify water guide. How to build a boat guide. (kidding)
I think I would bring anthologies. Maybe Poe or Grimm. Different stories and writing types. It would let you mix it up.
Author Websites and Profiles
J Denison Reed Amazon Profile
J Denison Reed’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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