Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
First, I want to thank Awesome Gang for this service. My wife has heard all my stories, so it’s nice to get to torture/entertain other people.
I’m never quite sure how to tell people about myself. I end up sounding like a robot: Hello, my name is James, I live in Montana, I like woodworking and chips and salsa (insert robot sounding voice here).
Seriously though, I really do live in Montana and like those things. I also have a Mini-Schnauzer named Jonesy, my wife is my high-school sweetheart, and I’m a US Army veteran. Like most writers, I have three jobs and hope one day to whittle that down to just one job…writing! However, I will happily work three jobs forever if that is what it takes to keep writing. It is my dream and passion in life. And I am very fortunate to have a supportive family, although my other passion in life is pranking my wife, so some days the support is a little less than normal 🙂
I’ve written thousands of words over the last 15 years, and currently I have seven novels published. I also have one published short story. My eighth novel is nearing completion! Thank goodness I already finished playing Halo 4, or it probably wouldn’t be as far along as it is. Just kidding, I write everyday!
The last thing I can think of to say is a huge thank you to all the readers out there. I truly mean that. My dream is to live my life doing what I love, and to write stories that let you escape into new, and hopefully, exciting worlds. Without you that isn’t possible, so thank you!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Wrath of the Fallen, and it is the last volume in my Heirs of the Fallen series. I think the main inspiration for this story was, believe it or not, the main character Leitos Valara. He was living in my mind a long time before I wrote this series. He was supposed to be a character in another story, but it just didn’t work out. I really liked him though. I kept thinking about him, and I decided to write a series with him at the center. I think he inspires me because he is all the things my inner child/self wants to be. His life is hard, but he rises to the challenge. He may not handle it the best way all the time, but in the end he always comes back around! I heard someone say once, “Adversity doesn’t just reveal who you are, it reveals who you decide to become.”. That is what Leitos, and this series, represents. He has the strength to stand up for what he believes in, and that is who I hope to be as well.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Oh boy. Yep! I seem to write best starting at 4:30am, even though for years I argued with my brain about this schedule. My brain won. I also have to listen to music, and I swing from one end of the spectrum to the other here. One day it’s metal, the next day I want classical. And last but not least, if I hit a wall I find that a generous serving of chips and salsa fixes me right up 🙂
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love this question because I get to talk about my favorite authors! I would say my biggest influences are Stephen King, Robert Jordan, and George R. R. Martin. I can read their books over and over again. I read The Talisman when I was a kid, and my life was never the same. I have many more authors and books that I love, but those three made a real impact on me.
What are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on the next book in my Songs of the Scorpion series. It’s called Skin of the Dragon, and I hope to have it out by the end of February. That’s all I can say, no spoilers!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This is a hard question, because I really struggle with marketing. The business side of writing is very difficult for me, mostly because I have no idea what I am doing. If I have to pick something, I would say advertising is my best method. It has really helped me reach new readers. My blog also helps quite a bit, even though I don’t put up new posts all the time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I know they hear this all the time, but keep writing new books and never quit. Ever. You never know what will work. It has taken me over two years to finally break onto the Amazon bestseller lists, and start reaching readers. Promotion is hard, and it takes time and trial and error to figure out what works. Keep plugging away, because if you want it bad enough you will accomplish your goals.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What a question! I love it. I’ve heard so much excellent advice over the years, but I can think of one piece that really resonated with me. Surround yourself with positive people.
It is so easy to be negative and pessimistic. I am guilty of that more often than I care to admit. But when you surround yourself with positive people, they lift you up and keep you going on your bad days.
What are you reading now?
I am reading The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to keep pushing the limits of my craft, and hopefully not the limits of my brain 🙂 I’m shooting for a productive, and fun, 2014!
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?
Another great question!
Okay, here are the books I would bring:
The Eye of the World, by Robert Jordan, because it is 814 pages of awesome that I never get tired of.
The Talisman, by Stephen King, for the same reason I am bringing The Eye of the World.
The Man Called Noon, by Louis L’Amour, because I loved westerns as a kid and this one was my favorite.
And last but not least:
How to Survive Being Stranded on a Desert Island, by anyone who has written a book like that, because what good does it do me to bring my favorite books if I don’t survive long enough to enjoy them?!
Author Websites and Profiles
James A. West Website
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