Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have been in education for forty-one years and counting as a teacher, coach, counselor and now as an administrator. I use my psychology and counseling background and my knowledge and fondness for kids in crafting the characters and dialogue. I have taken creative writing and screen writing courses at UCLA and USC.
So far, I have six books published thus far: Taking Lives (August 2014) the prequel to the Lives Trilogy; Stolen Lives (November 2014) Book One of the Lives Trilogy; Shattered Lives (March 2015) Book Two of the Trilogy; and Splintered Lives (November 2015) Book Three of the Trilogy. My fifth novel, Caught in a Web debuted April 2018 from Black Rose Writing, and won a PenCraft Literary Award for Fiction, and was named Best Crime Thriller by Best Thrillers. My latest, Spiral Into Darkness came out in January 2019, also from Black Rose Writing.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Lewis has been happily married for twenty-six years and counting to his wife, Kim. Together they have three wonderful children: Wil (deceased July 2014), Hannah, and Emily, and they now reside in Virginia.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Spiral Into Darkness came from my background in psychology and counseling. I played with the idea of nature vs nurture. Specifically, I ask the question: is a serial killer born or made? There are several subplots that ask the same question.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have two writing habits that seem to work for me. First, I am a pantser. Meaning, I don’t chart out or outline my books. They happen as I sit down to write. Often times, I have a vague idea of what I want to accomplish when I write, but there are times when as I begin to write, an interesting idea takes hold and I run with it. The second habit is that I don’t and can’t write in isolation. There are some writers who prefer to be alone in a quiet room to write. I am the opposite. I sit in the family room with my laptop. The TV is on, the dogs are hovering nearby, and my wife and daughter are in the room talking, reading or watching TV.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
One reviewer wrote, “If you like James Patterson, you’ll love Joseph Lewis.” This is both humbling and inspiring. So, yes, James Patterson has inspired me, as have John Sandford, David Baldacci, and Michael Connelly. I’ve learned from each of them. Lately, I’ve been reading C.J. Box. I like his use of setting and description.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a follow up to Spiral Into Darkness, titled Betrayed. It features five characters from my previous books, and the title tells you all you need to know about the plot. The setting is in Navajo Country in Northeast Arizona, which is one of my character’s former home. George is a full-blooded Navajo boy of fifteen.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use Facebook, Twitter, and rely on several groups/companies to help with promotion. I have found Book Blog Tours to be quite helpful.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep at it! Don’t stop and don’t quit. Stephen King tells a story that he used to keep his rejections on a nail above the desk where he wrote. The number of rejections grew to the point where he used a spike. Personally, I think I could wallpaper a small room in my house with rejections. J.K. Rowling received over 1,500 one star reviews for Harry Potter. So my point is, rejection happens. There will be people who will love your work, while others will pan it. It happens. Write anyway!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
A writer needs to read. To me, reading is to writing as weight lifting is to athletics. You cannot write if you don’t have the tools, and reading gives you the tools to write.
What are you reading now?
C.J. Box’s book, The Disappeared. It takes place in Wyoming. I taught and coached in Wyoming once upon a time and it is fun to think to yourself, “Yeah, I know where that is!”
What’s next for you as a writer?
Lately, I’ve picked up a number of speaking engagements, and I enjoy speaking about writing and my work. I see myself doing more of that. I enjoy book signings and festivals where I meet people and talk about writing and my books. Mostly, I will keep writing.
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?
Any James Patterson book featuring Alex Cross; any Michael Connelly book featuring Harry Bosch; Lord of the Flies; and Peter Straub’s Ghost Story.
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