Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was a songwriter in Los Angeles for 35 years. Writing is expanding for me, so a song just couldn’t hold me any longer. One day, I wrote a book and that was that, I was hooked. Now I’ve written eleven books and over two dozen short stories. One of my novels has snatches of lyrics woven into the plot. Just to be silly, I wrote a complete album of songs for the fictitious band and include them in the back of the book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
While my latest release is MARS QUAKE, inspired by two of my own short stories that didn’t seem complete, my most recent project is a trilogy, three books of a series: Adventures of a Space Bum.
What began as a story about a male hero having adventures aboard an automated space vessel evolved into a tale of a female hero who makes the computer of an automated repair vessel her friend. The ADVENTURES OF A SPACE BUM trilogy will be released November 14th.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sometimes I will dream my next conversation, chapter or even a new character. When that happens, I will begin writing immediately and often find myself late in the afternoon, still at the keyboard in my pajamas. I call it “Taking dictation.” When my characters are helping to write the book, I can write it in nothing flat. I once wrote a NaNoWriMo book, supposed to take 30 days, in eleven days. I looked up and the book was done – it was November 11th. Whew!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
William Burroughs and James Patterson have been the biggest influences on my writing. Burroughs because he wrote everything and was as fantastic as he wanted. Patterson taught me to write short, punchy chapters and end it on a cliff-hanger. I’m still learning – it’s an ongoing process.
What are you working on now?
I am editing my third book of the Adventures of a Space Bum series. Once that is done, or possibly before, I will begin on book 4 or perhaps take a break and write something else. That’s how Mars Quake got written, I just said, “And now, something completely different.” and began another book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still researching that. Facebook seems to have a lot of sites for that sort of thing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t edit! Write your book, push on through to the end of the story as excitedly as you can and as feverish as you can manage. Once done, then edit. Hemingway wrote: “Write drunk. Edit sober.” I’m not recommending you get drunk, just that you write with joy and abandon, not caring about the small stuff. Later you can edit sober. That’s the real work of writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I just gave it to you: Write Drunk, Edit Sober. Hemingway.
What are you reading now?
Three books by friends of mine. When I am writing, I don’t read for fear of sounding like the other author. Once done, I read everything I can get my hands on. I have a Kindle, a Nook and print books all over the house.
What’s next for you as a writer?
November is National Novel Writing Month (http://nanowrimo.org). November 14th is the launch of my three book series (three so far). But I have in mind a story about a fellow finding himself in the street in his underwear and nowhere to turn. I wonder what happens to him and what he does about it. Stay tuned.
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?
A dictionary, because it all starts there. The Penguin Dictionary of Epigrams. The complete Shakespear collection and the complete works of Agatha Christie. That should hold me.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jon Batson Website
Jon Batson Amazon Profile
Jon Batson’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account