Ask the Author: Joseph Clay
Answered Questions (7)
Joseph Clay
As for as Movies go Mister and Mrs. Smith wins hands down, from the movie of the same title. When it comes to books, there are two that share the top spot as my favorites. Gabe and Evie in the book 'Promise Me Always' written by G. Michelle. The there is Sam and Maggie from 'Miles From Home' written by Ava Bell.
Joseph Clay
The way "Demons of the Jungle" came about is a strange as the story its self. My first manuscript I wrote was over 180,000 words, I sent it to local editor for a manuscript review, it was rejected for several reasons and the comments were harsh, but true. For the rest of how the story evolved it is detailed on my official blog:
http://authorjoeclay.com/2015/11/17/h...
http://authorjoeclay.com/2015/11/17/h...
Joseph Clay
I'm lucky to the point I have always had stories and characters floating around in my head. Those along with my personal life experiences, and a heck of an imagination keep me inspired. I believe if you love to write the inspiration will always be there.
Joseph Clay
I have two projects going. One, "Witch's Dilemma" is due back from the editor tomorrow (3-2-16), it is a follow up of the first book "Demons of the Jungle", but is also a stand alone novel, meaning that you don't have to read "Demons of the Jungle" to understand "Witch's Dilemma". That book is tentivly scheduled for release in late May of 2016. The second project is the first book in a series titled "East Dakota -A New Era", the first book at this time is titled "Rise from the Ruins", it is in the 1st draft stage and is 60% complete.
Joseph Clay
My advice is three fold, the first may sound strange, but trust me it is one of the best things you can do. Read - Read - and Read. Not only in the genre you are writing in but read everything from non-fiction to erotic. You will learn something from the author of each book you complete that will help hone your skills. Second, set a goal to write every day, Don't set a word count just yet, get in the habit of writing every day. After that goal becomes a habit, set a new goal of 1000 words a day, and work your way up to 5000 over time. The last one is the most important, writing is hard work, filled with research, character building, outlining, etc.. which is all time consuming. No what you are getting into, if its your dream to be a writer don't let anyone tell you it'll never happen, use that to dive you and never give up.
Joseph Clay
So far in the two years of writing I've never had writers block and really don't believe it. My theory, if you can't figure out what needs to happen next, or you get lost, and /or bored and can't maintain your line of thought, the reader is going to feel the same way when reading the book. Instead of blaming it on writers block start deleting till you get back to where the ideas flow and the story holds your interest. Heck if you don't think that's the problem scan down your feed on your home page of one of your social network pages, trust me something will come to you, as someone's post will jump out at you. Use something from your personal life that will fit into what ever you are writing, something that happened at a job you had. There so much you can pull from writers block, if it exists, should never occur.
Joseph Clay
I would say the ability to let your imagination run wild. What other profession can you kill someone and not go to jail, create a world that allows the readers to escape theirs, even if only for a chapter before the baby cries or the boss calls. The other would be setting your own hours, and only answering to the voices in your head.
Joe Clay
I have three projects on the stove at the same time. The first one is to revise and re-write Demons of the Jungle, not to change the plot or ending, but to make it a better read. The second one A Witch's Dilemma is almost ready for the proof reader/editor. The third is a series, West on the East-a New Era.
Joe Clay
The freedom of expression, the hours are great, I set my own, and knowing that your book, maybe will help someone escape from a bad day, by taking them to magical world of make believe.
Joe Clay
Write, write and write, along with read, read and read, they go hand in hand. A good rule of thumb when first starting out write a minimum of an hour a day.
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