Interview With Author Jason Baker
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a career military officer, but I also love writing. A couple of years ago, upon learning of some ancestors’ service in the Civil War, I was motivated to write my first book: “Chicago To Appomattox.” I turned my research and their stories into a narrative non-fiction account of their service and place in the greater war.
“The Ace’s Bounty” had always been an idea in the back of my head and is my first novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, and first novel, is “The Ace’s Bounty.” The story follows two brothers returning home from the Civil War, fighting poverty. When they encounter a U.S. Marshal looking for deputies, they take the work but soon realize it means coming to grips with their own relationship, who they became in the war, and facing a haunted past.
I had some ancestors who fought in the Civil War, but only one returned. As I learned about the lives of their fellow soldiers who came home, I wondered about those who weren’t as successful, struggled to adapt, or didn’t come home. I’ve always enjoyed Western-style novels and decided to combine those two elements.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Music is essential to my writing. I will sit down, knowing roughly what the scene or chapter I want to write is, and then put on music that fits the moment or mood I am going for.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
“The Sister’s Brothers” by Patrick deWitt was a novel that gave me the confidence a “brothers” story could work, albeit very different types of novels (not to mention him being much more talented than I am!) I’m also a big fan of “True Grit” by Charles Portis. Again, not being in the same world of writing skill, I enjoy the Western “road story,” justice-seeking novel.
What are you working on now?
I’ve already begun a follow-on to “The Ace’s Bounty” that continues the story but could stand alone. I’ve also started to outline a longer, more substantial novel that would be almost an Ocean’s 11-type story in a Western, post-war setting.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have come to use my author’s Instagram page for a lot of promotion. When I wrote “Chicago To Appomattox” I posted many photos with stories and facts related to historical dates. Many of them related to the book, but many did not. I gained a lot of followers that way, who were probably more interested in the history and photos than the book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The story won’t come if you don’t start writing. I am not a complete outline for every scene writer, but I “create a roadmap. I find this planning to be more manageable; however, if you start writing and let it come to you. Maybe you have an idea for a beginning, ending, or middle scene–write it! The writing you do, and the characters you develop, will begin to tell you the rest of the story.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Your plan is your plan.” That advice was given to me in my professional “day job” life, but I think it works for creating a novel. There are many templates for outlining, story-arcs, character development, and marketing. There are some baseline “this is how it works,” when it comes to writing and selling a novel, but for the most part, you can put your creative mark on it!
What are you reading now?
“Nothing Like It In The World,” by Stephen Ambrose. I plan to incorporate westward expansion, and the building of the transcontinental railroad into my next novel, and Ambrose’s book is a fantastic story of all the events and characters that went into the railroad building.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing is not my day job, so honestly, what’s next for me is taking notes on how my first novel launch goes, taking in the feedback from my story, and gameplan what is next for a follow-on book.
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?
“Friday Night Lights,” by H.G. Bissinger. “The Sisters Brothers,” by Patrick deWitt. “Moby Dick,” by Herman Melville. “News Of The World,” by Paulette Jiles.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jason Baker’s Social Media Links