Ask the Author: J. Boyce Gleason
Answered Questions (15)
J. Boyce Gleason
Thanks Phyllis! Yes, there will be a third book. I'm already working on it. Glad you liked Anvil. I'm looking forward to what you think about Wheel. Happy reading!
j.
j.
J. Boyce Gleason
Glad you liked it. Who was your favorite character?
J. Boyce Gleason
Hi Danielle,
Yes. I finished drafting Book II. It's called "Wheel of the Fates" and is in the editing stage. I'm offering people who sign up on my website at jboycegleason dot com a chance to be selected as beta readers. So, if you want to see an early version, you are welcome to sign up.
Best,
J.
Yes. I finished drafting Book II. It's called "Wheel of the Fates" and is in the editing stage. I'm offering people who sign up on my website at jboycegleason dot com a chance to be selected as beta readers. So, if you want to see an early version, you are welcome to sign up.
Best,
J.
J. Boyce Gleason
It's possible. Boyce is an old name. My relation connects through my grandmother, the late Angie Boyce Gleason from upstate New York near Buffalo. Her Boyce connections track back to a John Boyce in 1703, living in New Hampshire. If you connect with that line, we're distant cousins.
J. Boyce Gleason
If he closed his eyes and lay still, he could pretend he was lying on his dock down by the lake, listening to the thrum of waves lapping against the shore. All he had to do was ignore the coffin lid just above his face and, of course, the never-ending screams.
J. Boyce Gleason
I'd like to go to the Battle Training Center in Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game" and train for warfare in space.
J. Boyce Gleason
Generally, I read science fiction as a change of pace for what I write (historical fiction). This summer's reads are Dark Eden, The Red Rising Trilogy, and a re-read of Neil Gaiman's "American Gods."
J. Boyce Gleason
Clare and Henry from The Time Traveller's Wife. There is a edge to their relationship that is oddly compelling plus the tenuous nature of their time together (always fearful that he will fall out of time) creates a tension and awareness in them to live in the moment.
J. Boyce Gleason
Glad you enjoyed it! I have lived in France twice in my life - both times with French families and have always been fascinated by French history.
I am about half way through Book II of the series which picks up two months after the action ends in Anvil. I found myself so invested in the characters that I want to see how the story ends. I think there will likely be three books in the series, although I might be convinced write a fourth book on Charlemagne and his knight Roland.
I am about half way through Book II of the series which picks up two months after the action ends in Anvil. I found myself so invested in the characters that I want to see how the story ends. I think there will likely be three books in the series, although I might be convinced write a fourth book on Charlemagne and his knight Roland.
J. Boyce Gleason
Anvil of God came out of a history class I took in college. We were studying Charlemagne and I became fascinated by the "Song of Roland," an epic poem about one of Charlemagne's greatest knights. I decided then, that if I ever did a novel, it would be about Roland.
When I sat down to write it, however, I had to make a few decisions. Do I write about the legend or the history? I chose history. Where do I start the story? I couldn't find the right spot, so I kept moving backward in time. Charlemagne as a young man? His father? His grandfather. I ended up choosing a story about the death of his grandfather and the impact that it has on their family. I became so engrossed in their story, I haven't yet made it to Charlemagne.
Roland will have to come later.
When I sat down to write it, however, I had to make a few decisions. Do I write about the legend or the history? I chose history. Where do I start the story? I couldn't find the right spot, so I kept moving backward in time. Charlemagne as a young man? His father? His grandfather. I ended up choosing a story about the death of his grandfather and the impact that it has on their family. I became so engrossed in their story, I haven't yet made it to Charlemagne.
Roland will have to come later.
J. Boyce Gleason
I think I have always been drawn to good stories. And since I write historical fiction, I try to find stories that beg to be told. And I'm fascinated by why people make the choices they do. What kind of person were they? What were they thinking? How do they justify themselves and their actions?
If you put those things together. They make for a compelling novel.
If you put those things together. They make for a compelling novel.
J. Boyce Gleason
I'm working on a story about Ben Franklin as a young man. Most of what we know about Franklin's early life, he told us in his autobiography. And he wrote that when he was in his eighties and already revered as a founding father. While he admits to a few "errata" in his youth, I think he likely glossed over some of the rougher parts (like most autobiographers). I've tried to write a more blunt version of the history. It's called "Sin of Omission"
J. Boyce Gleason
Write every day. Even if it is only for an hour. And find a good editor. Everyone needs a good editor.
J. Boyce Gleason
I think the best thing is to talk to people who have enjoyed or been moved by my work. I attended a book club meeting for a friend of mine and many of her club were genuinely moved by the story and some of the characters. That's a real thrill for me, as I am so close to the characters they seem real to me. It's nice when I can share that with someone else.
J. Boyce Gleason
Typically, I start the day editing the previous day's writing. That way I'm engaged in the story for over an hour or so before having to start on something new.
If I get blocked altogether, it usually means I'm unhappy about the current direction of the book and will stop to rethink the major plot points and character traits involved. Once I figure it out, the flow starts going again.
If I just can't seem to get anything going at all, I usually put my novel aside and write something else, a short story, a poem, anything that will keep my head in the game.
If I get blocked altogether, it usually means I'm unhappy about the current direction of the book and will stop to rethink the major plot points and character traits involved. Once I figure it out, the flow starts going again.
If I just can't seem to get anything going at all, I usually put my novel aside and write something else, a short story, a poem, anything that will keep my head in the game.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more