Ask the Author: Jay Sherer
Answered Questions (7)
Jay Sherer
There are two aspects that are the same: the chosen format for each was dictated by a specific need. For TIMESLINGERS, the idea was: How do we write a story for smartphones. This is back in 2005-06, before the iPhone had even been released. When you read it, you can see why it’s written the way it is in that context. For DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER, the question was: How would you do something as close to a film as possible when you don’t have $200MM in your back pocket. And that led us to the full-cast audiobook.
Other than that, they’re pretty different. TIMESLINGERS isn’t meant to be deep. It’s meant to be action-packed and fast-paced. DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER was meant to be far deeper. It literally came from thinking through the issue of reconciliation, shame, and guilt. Of course, we threw Gatling gun arms, secret Occult societies, and all that in there because it’s interesting. But, we were thinking more about: How do you tell a deep story about the human condition in an innovative, fun way?
As far as process goes, Nathan and I tend to work the same way on all our projects. We articulate what we want to accomplish, come up with a plan, and keep iterating until we think it’s ready.
Other than that, they’re pretty different. TIMESLINGERS isn’t meant to be deep. It’s meant to be action-packed and fast-paced. DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER was meant to be far deeper. It literally came from thinking through the issue of reconciliation, shame, and guilt. Of course, we threw Gatling gun arms, secret Occult societies, and all that in there because it’s interesting. But, we were thinking more about: How do you tell a deep story about the human condition in an innovative, fun way?
As far as process goes, Nathan and I tend to work the same way on all our projects. We articulate what we want to accomplish, come up with a plan, and keep iterating until we think it’s ready.
Jay Sherer
I don't really experience writer's block. I have too many projects that demand my attention. And because I've got a podcast and two YouTube channels to manage, I WANT to write more often.
When I do get a hiccup in my writing, I usually just push through or have a conversation with Nathan (my co-writer) to try and see where things are working or not working.
When I do get a hiccup in my writing, I usually just push through or have a conversation with Nathan (my co-writer) to try and see where things are working or not working.
Jay Sherer
To me, stories are more important than anything else we engage in. The stories we believe about ourselves. The stories we believe about those around us. Stories give the world meaning. To me, the best thing about being a writer is sharing stories with other people.
A good story doesn't just communicate information, it finds ways to engage the writer and the reader in an exploration of the very nature of Truth. And that's a big deal, because how we define Truth transforms us.
A good story doesn't just communicate information, it finds ways to engage the writer and the reader in an exploration of the very nature of Truth. And that's a big deal, because how we define Truth transforms us.
Jay Sherer
I started a YouTube channel to answer this very question! You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/thereclamatio....
Jay Sherer
Right now, it's the full-cast audiobook for DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER. DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER was originally a short film. That morphed into a short story. And then Nathan Scheck came on as a co-writer and we wrote a full-cast (all characters portrayed by professional voice performers) audiobook. As we were working on that, we turned it into a novel as well.
But, following this, we have a short film called Ravenous (the first in a trilogy of horror short films based off the question: "What happens when the devil tempts us like he tempted Jesus Christ?") and we're also working on a screenplay adaptation of DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER.
But, following this, we have a short film called Ravenous (the first in a trilogy of horror short films based off the question: "What happens when the devil tempts us like he tempted Jesus Christ?") and we're also working on a screenplay adaptation of DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER.
Jay Sherer
If I'm struggling with something in my own life--emotionally, physically, spiritually--that's often a catalyst. But I also like to see something and then think, "How does that actually work?" And then I setup a cast of characters to explore that topic in more detail.
I also get a lot of inspiration from other storytellers. Creativity breeds creativity because you can look at someone else's work and get inspired to do something as meaningful as they did, but in a completely different way.
I also get a lot of inspiration from other storytellers. Creativity breeds creativity because you can look at someone else's work and get inspired to do something as meaningful as they did, but in a completely different way.
Jay Sherer
I participated in a short film contest (Write of Passage) where the organizers selected the following passage for the writers to a short film about:
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."
And my process, when it comes to a writing prompt, is to study the source material (in this case, the Bible), and then try to find out what it's really truly attempting to address. In my mind, this is about guilt, shame, reconciliation, and community, and the interconnectedness of those themes.
Then, I took those themes, set a supernatural western theme over it, and wrote the short film. Years later, Nathan Scheck (my co-writer on the novel) and I took the story, added steampunk/dark fantasy/western elements, and turned it into something a whole lot crazier, but kept the exploration of that passage and its themes as the guiding work behind what now is "DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER."
"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."
And my process, when it comes to a writing prompt, is to study the source material (in this case, the Bible), and then try to find out what it's really truly attempting to address. In my mind, this is about guilt, shame, reconciliation, and community, and the interconnectedness of those themes.
Then, I took those themes, set a supernatural western theme over it, and wrote the short film. Years later, Nathan Scheck (my co-writer on the novel) and I took the story, added steampunk/dark fantasy/western elements, and turned it into something a whole lot crazier, but kept the exploration of that passage and its themes as the guiding work behind what now is "DEATH OF A BOUNTY HUNTER."
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