Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings! My name is Jsin Graham and I have just officially published my first book this month. Though I have been writing my entire life in some capacity, in the creative realm I was a poet and song writer prior to switching over to more prose work some six to seven years ago.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my current offering is Unacceptable Behavior: A Thirteen Story Introduction to Storytelling. My inspiration to pursue this project was born out of my being turned down for inclusion into a short story anthology (of which shall remain nameless). Being turned down is okay, as I’m fine with accepting that my style of writing may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But let’s say, the explanation I was provided didn’t exactly sit well with me. So I set out on trying to write more stories, as the concept at that time was new to me. This eventually grew into a desire to create a collection.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My writing habits aren’t exactly unusual or unorthodox. At least not in my opinion. I live in a major metropolitan city, so a great percentage of my brainstorming and foundation building, takes place on my phone while riding public transportation. Every kind of person you can imagine, uses the metro where I’m from. So character building and even backgrounds are pretty easy to build. Outside of that, a lot of my characters are created off of the “skeleton” of people I know. I use real middle names for first names. And even build fine characteristics (physical) for my characters, from individuals I know or people I pass in everyday life.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
David Baldacci, from a scene creation/set-up standpoint is a master in my opinion. With my next project due to be a full-length novel, I am aspiring to get more intricate in the background of characters and scenes, at least to a modicum of his ability. Eric Jerome Dickey’s “Gideon” series (Sleeping With Strangers, Waking With Enemies, Dying For Revenge, Resurrecting Midnight, Finding Gideon) is the proverbial sweet spot for authors who aspire to produce suspense thriller projects, that are also sexy. When I write in that mode, that is definitely a stratosphere I’m shooting for.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a novel I started during NaNoWriMo last year entitled, PSYCHO. The MC is Basil Cooper, who appears in two of the stories in my Unacceptable Behavior collection. Basil, is a psychologist who hails from a famed football family in the midwest. Looking to find a way to pivot his counseling style closer to the no nonsense, overly direct way that he chooses to view the world, he walks away from the classic by the book method. Opening up his own practice which uses a more hands-on, aggressive style to helping people.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Being a first time author, I am actually working to find a tried and true method to promoting books. From some of the varying styles I’ve seen, social media is by far the most direct means. Using an array of advertising tactics, heavy on images to alert people to your work. Sprinkling well timed use of discounted purchase options.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The only advice I give to new authors is, to write. In my regular every day life, I am a terrible overthinker. And with that in mind, you definitely can over plan your way right out of a good idea. In my view, it is always best to get the words out. Then you can come back and re-order them, and flesh out a plan for more detailed and efficient building once you have something to work from.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Keep your eyes on your paper.” I have actually heard this from two different people this year. My loose translation, is to do your best not to focus on other people’s work. Their style. Their frequency of producing something new. We all have our own voice, methods and speeds of doing something. If you aren’t finding little tricks and tips that improve or fine tune what YOU do as a writer. Do not focus so hard on another scribe.
What are you reading now?
At the moment, I am reading “Brunch at Ruby’s” by DL White. A very well written and enjoyable read so far. From the little I’ve seen in blurbs and promo online. Queens of Beasts, by Phoenix Williams looks like it has potential to be very good. And it is a genre of which I don’t think I have ever read. Paranormal Romance. That or David Baldacci’s “Guilty” will probably be next.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next on the docket for me, is to actually create an outline for my project PSYCHO. Immediately following that, I want to dig into a character creation workbook (by Tasha L. Harrison) I recently purchased, to fully flesh out my main and supporting characters for the book. Over the last eighteen or so months, I have read some pretty good stuff. And I am hoping that my next book, is on par if not better. Just hoping to be the best writer I can be.
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?
If I were ever stranded on an island…in no particular order. PLEASURE by Eric Jerome Dickey, DELIVER US FROM EVIL, by David Baldacci, EVIL INC, by Glenn Kaplan and the Bible (King James Version).
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