Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
The Addiction Manifesto has been uniquely designed to provide you with a new perspective on recovery and will show you that anything is possible.
In this deeply personal book, JR Weaver has crafted a raw insight into his life and how he’s been affected by substance abuse over the past 20 years. He details his recovery process and how he’s dealt with loss. With this book he wishes to help people on their journey to recovery. His realistic approach details his journey to try to have a normal life again.
This book allows you to fain a greater understanding of substance abuse and its many challenges.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Addiction Manifesto
Wish I could say that I had a magical vision about writing this amazing book but the real truth is that I was locked up in Dorchester County Detention Center on 4 felony charges, which wasn’t good since I was already on bond from a felony charge in Charleston County and Berkeley County and currently pleaded into Charleston County Drug Court. I had a problem with drugs, at the time I would have denied being a Addict but the ugly truth was that I was a Addict. I did Addict things to keep the drugs flowing and here I found myself paying the consequences of those poor life choices. I had tried to sober up but I always ended right back out there running the streets. I had to think ‘outside’ the box so I started writing about my addiction, how it controlled me, used me and forgot about me as soon as I couldn’t do anything for it. I realized that addiction doesn’t care about us, it fools us into believing that we can’t live without it, it tells us that it will make all our problems disappear but it doesn’t mention the price that we have to pay or that it will make everything that is good in our life also disappear. Our life spirals out of control and we either OD or we end up in prison, well I was looking at a long prison sentence so I had to find a way to change. The Addiction Manifesto is what opened my eyes to the power of addiction, but thats not what intimidated me about sobering up, it was facing the consequences of all those destroyed relationships, my family and friends that I had disappointed, it was about rejoining a society that had me labeled as a ‘Addict’ and rightfully so. It was about moving forward each day no matter what, well I’m happy to say that writing has saved me from my addiction demons, my new charges were rolled up into my current drug court plea and I was returned to drug court. I graduated drug court with no sanctions, I even volunteered to become the 1st mentor for the new Veteran’s Treatment Court. Somehow the hospital even gave me a chance at a job and I’m happy to say that 2 years later I’m still working there lol. I’ll be 4 years sober this November 10th and I still continue writing about addiction. If I can help someone believe in themselves and in the power of recovery then I’d call that a dam good day 🙂 Hope you enjoyed the book and please leave a review.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, unless you count being locked up in jail when I wrote the blue print for The Addiction Manifesto. Today I just write whenever something reminds me about my past, and one of my goals is to write something that somebody, somewhere needs to hear.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Most of my collection is made up of James Patterson (love his early stuff), Brad Thor, Vince Flynn and Matthew Reilly. Being a military guy I guess I relate to the characters in a weird way lol
What are you working on now?
Book Marketing, who would have thought it would be harder than the actual writing.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I just got the author website up and running so hopefully that’ll help me get my message across, I have also reached out to a bunch of libraries, nonprofits, treatment centers. I really don’t mind sending them a copy for their evaluation because I do believe in my book.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write, even on the rough days, just write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Drink plenty of water 😉
What are you reading now?
The Kindle Publishing Bible
What’s next for you as a writer?
I think as a new writer I’m still hoping to find out if I do have talent because I would love to write a follow up book about addiction/recovery
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?
Ice Station – Matthew Reilly
American Fix – Ryan Hampton
Enemy at the Gates – Vince Flynn
Anything by Brad Thor
Author Websites and Profiles
JR Weaver Website
JR Weaver Amazon Profile
JR Weaver Author Profile on Smashwords
JR Weaver’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account