Ask the Author: James J. Cudney
Answered Questions (29)
James J. Cudney
Thank you. It's mid-Sunday afternoon, so I will enjoy the rest of the day!
My publisher's team asks me to send a few critical concepts to include in a cover, plus pick a photograph or image that speaks to me in terms of the story. From there, they send a few ideas and we go back and forth until both are happy.
My publisher's team asks me to send a few critical concepts to include in a cover, plus pick a photograph or image that speaks to me in terms of the story. From there, they send a few ideas and we go back and forth until both are happy.
James J. Cudney
Hi. Somehow I missed this one, so sorry. I have been thinking about it... a few plots in my mind. I appreciate your question and confidence. :)
James J. Cudney
I never thought I'd do well collaborating, but I took a chance and it turned out to be my favorite book. Plus, Didi is such a gifted writer, and we had this amazing chemistry with our writing plans and approaches.
When I decided to do it, I knew I needed a partner who had more flair for suspense and thrillers, as I'm a family drama and plot-driven guy. Didi's characters leap off the page and provide a great sense of horror.
Do you start with an outline or just write whatever you're thinking? I am an outliner, so I have some ideas about scenes for each chapter, and that helps me stay on track. And if I can't focus on a scene with more dialogue or description, then I'll jump to something else so I am always making progress.
Good luck!
When I decided to do it, I knew I needed a partner who had more flair for suspense and thrillers, as I'm a family drama and plot-driven guy. Didi's characters leap off the page and provide a great sense of horror.
Do you start with an outline or just write whatever you're thinking? I am an outliner, so I have some ideas about scenes for each chapter, and that helps me stay on track. And if I can't focus on a scene with more dialogue or description, then I'll jump to something else so I am always making progress.
Good luck!
James J. Cudney
Hi. Sorry for the delay in responding. Work has been hectic and I don't always catch these notifications until I have a lazy Sunday morning to read my messages. I've really enjoyed Freida McFadden, a new author to me this year, tho she has a few dozen books already from the last few years. And one I found particularly twisty and surprising, but not totally surprising in some ways, was Darcy Coates and Dead of Winter (this year). From prior years, I'd recommend Lisa Jewell's The Family Upstairs or Robyn Harding's early books. How about you?
James J. Cudney
Hi Christopher! I'm so sorry I never replied to your message... I'm on Goodreads every day but never got a notification (or I missed it). Tough question... I have about 40 authors whose multiple series I read regularly. I'm gonna need to think about this a bit longer, but I do review every book I read, and a majority of the books on my "multi-book-series" shelf are cozies. You can definitely tell which authors I lean toward by how many books of theirs I've read. Sharing the ones with the most books already; only listing one name, not their other author names too... and there are several more I haven't named but enjoy tons. Jenn McKinlay, Lynn Cahoon, Vicki Delany, Kate Carlisle, Miranda James, Bree Baker, Lorna Barrett, Ellen Byron, Ellen Crosby, Maddie Day, Joanne Fluke, Daryl Wood Gerber, Diane Mott Davidson, Lilian Jackson Braun, Victoria Hamilton, Barbara Ross, Lea Wait, Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis -- oops I've gone over 10! I'm all caught up on most of their series too, so in 2023 I might need to add a few more authors to the list.
James J. Cudney
Hi. I'm a frequent multi-tasker, and I tend to get a lot done throughout the day so my evenings are truly for pleasure / relaxation. I also am a creature of habit, meaning I go to bed most nights around 9:30 and read for an hour or two, then wake up by 6am to get the day started. Reading is my escape from a very busy day. After 1400+ books, I've figured out how to sorta speed-read yet still immerse myself in the tale without missing anything. Thanks for asking! Have a great weekend.
James J. Cudney
LOVE this question. Although I haven't formally reviewed many of his works, I'm a big fan of Thomas Hardy's work. One of my all-time favorite books from long ago is The Return of the Native. The setting and characters are timeless, but to give them a sense of modern life that might appeal to more people would be amazing.
James J. Cudney
Good morning!
Thank you so much. You made my morning brighter, especially as it's a bit dreary here and I'm heading back to work after some time off. You are very kind, and I really appreciate the thought and generosity in your message. I wish I could do more... working full-time takes a big chunk of my day away, and I am only able to blog infrequently now, but I'm committed to all 208 book in this year's Challenge. I wish you tons of success this year too... and if there's a book you recommend I read from your recent reading list, let me know.
As an author, I really want to challenge myself with writing a new series. It will take some time to have 2 or 3 mostly ready to go before I launch the debut, which means it's at least a year away, but that's my goal for the end of this year.
How about you?
Jay
Thank you so much. You made my morning brighter, especially as it's a bit dreary here and I'm heading back to work after some time off. You are very kind, and I really appreciate the thought and generosity in your message. I wish I could do more... working full-time takes a big chunk of my day away, and I am only able to blog infrequently now, but I'm committed to all 208 book in this year's Challenge. I wish you tons of success this year too... and if there's a book you recommend I read from your recent reading list, let me know.
As an author, I really want to challenge myself with writing a new series. It will take some time to have 2 or 3 mostly ready to go before I launch the debut, which means it's at least a year away, but that's my goal for the end of this year.
How about you?
Jay
James J. Cudney
There could be two of interest. I have very little memory of my childhood before becoming a teenager. While most people don't remember a lot, I remember nothing. Let's go on a search to find those lost memories! The other would be discovering a cousin I went to high school with that I didn't know was a cousin. We lived in the same town for 15 years and could've hung out... but never knew about one another. What led to that situation!?
James J. Cudney
From start to finish, about 6 months. I prepared a high-level summary and posted it on my blog in June 2017 along with 4 other ideas. I let readers participate in a poll to decide which of the 5 books I should write. Father Figure won, and I wrote the book in the summer and fall. It went through editing and was finalized by January 2018. Thanks for the question!
James J. Cudney
Hi. What a great question! In this instance, the main characters are fully fictional... the story focuses on two eighteen-year-old women who have suffered at the hands of several men in their lives. While there are a few tough scenes, there is a positive outcome in both situations. I haven't met anyone who's gone through something as intense as this, but the emotions are built from some stories I've heard throughout the years. I wanted to focus on a visceral plight and search, less on the horrors one suffers. I appreciate the question.
James J. Cudney
Thank you very much! I appreciate it. I hope you are having a wonderful start to the new year. :)
James J. Cudney
Hi, Marisol. Great to e-meet you. Thanks for stopping by. I write contemporary fiction family dramas and mysteries.
If you enjoy light mysteries, then the Braxton Campus series is a good option. I recommend reading them in order, so you'd start with Academic Curveball.
If you like a family dramas that explore relationships between siblings, parents, and children, either Father Figure or Watching Glass Shatter would be good reads. I just announced the October 8th publication of the second book in the Perceptions of Glass series, Hiding Cracked Glass, where I revisit the Glass family from Watching Glass Shatter.
You can find a lot of information on my website, including discounts and giveaway options, @ https://jamesjcudney.com. Thank you!
If you enjoy light mysteries, then the Braxton Campus series is a good option. I recommend reading them in order, so you'd start with Academic Curveball.
If you like a family dramas that explore relationships between siblings, parents, and children, either Father Figure or Watching Glass Shatter would be good reads. I just announced the October 8th publication of the second book in the Perceptions of Glass series, Hiding Cracked Glass, where I revisit the Glass family from Watching Glass Shatter.
You can find a lot of information on my website, including discounts and giveaway options, @ https://jamesjcudney.com. Thank you!
James J. Cudney
Hi Kavita. Thank you very much for the compliment. I agree with writing a blog as a helpful start. All social media tools will be useful to get your voice heard as well as to develop your personal style. Some readers/followers prefer shorter segments on Instagram or Pinterest; others like full articles with images and links on a blog. You'll find it varies, but do what's best and most natural for you -- authentic usually wins out in the end. I follow other blogs and focus on new book releases in my genres, as that helps me see what other readers are looking for... then I can determine my content. Starting broad and working toward detail is usually best... throw a wide net, find a few solid followers, then develop targeted topics. Good luck.
James J. Cudney
Hi!
I'd love to. You can message me at jamesjcudney4@gmail.com. I've love to chat with you about a spotlight on my blog too, if you're interested.
J
I'd love to. You can message me at jamesjcudney4@gmail.com. I've love to chat with you about a spotlight on my blog too, if you're interested.
J
James J. Cudney
Hi Rebecca. Yes, if I am tired or my mind is super-occupied with a problem or issue, I can't always focus. I prefer to relax when I read, usually for at least an hour at a time. I'm not one who can read in short increments, so there are days when I get into bed and can't possibly pick up a book. I make up for it when I find two or three hours on a weekend and just curl up in the chair and read an entire one from start to finish. Have a great day.
James J. Cudney
Hey Gary! Wharton County and Braxton are fictional. I lived in Pennsylvania and pulled from various experiences those year. Ultimately, I wanted to create a setting that had a little bit of everything (mountains, river, lake, farm, urban)... so I modeled parts of the towns after Bethlehem (where I went to college), and a bunch of small villages about 60 miles from the NY border in central PA.
James J. Cudney
Always with an outline... many writers can wing it (pansters), but I prefer to draft a few pages to describe the characters, plot, setting, and chapter by chapter scenes. I talk about this a lot on my blog too... you can find more there on my writing approach. Happy New Year!
James J. Cudney
Danielle,
Yes, I've been with the company since my debut novel in 2017. Thank you for signing up and reading my work. I wish you luck. It takes a lot of time getting to know readers on social media. Taking it slow until you feel comfortable is also a good idea. Joining some Goodreads or Facebook groups might help. Also, look for blog tours where you can have others spread the news about you too. Hope this gives you a start!
J
Yes, I've been with the company since my debut novel in 2017. Thank you for signing up and reading my work. I wish you luck. It takes a lot of time getting to know readers on social media. Taking it slow until you feel comfortable is also a good idea. Joining some Goodreads or Facebook groups might help. Also, look for blog tours where you can have others spread the news about you too. Hope this gives you a start!
J
James J. Cudney
Ooh... that's an easy one. I keep an active "On the Shelf to Read Next" category on Goodreads, so you can always see what's coming up soon on my reading list. Rather than name a specific book, since I tend to devour one every other day, here is the link to see them whenever you'd like:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
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