Ask the Author: Jason Carter
Answered Questions (6)
Jason Carter
I keep everything I'm currently working on TOP SECRET. All I can say is that I am working on something and if you're following me on Twitter and Facebook, then you'll get bits and pieces along the way. Sorry.
Jason Carter
For me, the best thing is when a reader reaches out to me and tells me how much they like, or even dislike, my work. I had a reader tell me that a book of mine (I won't say the title as to keep the bias away) was too wordy, and even bland. I had another reader actually cuss me out about the death of one of the characters. On the other hand, and regarding that same book, I had readers tell me that it made them cry, and that the characters were so relate-able, the scenes so painted and detailed. And this is where my #1 piece of advice comes into play - You'll never please everyone. So don't try to. Simply write what you want to see on those pages, and some will enjoy it with you, and some won't. But the best thing about being a writer are the readers :)
Jason Carter
Inspiration can come from anywhere at any time. The key is to be constantly on the watch for it, and to not fight it when it does. I was halfway through the rough draft of UNTIL NOW when the inspiration for THE LAYOVER struck me. Since I knew where the story for UNTIL NOW was going and how it would end, I stopped working on it for two weeks in order to get all of the rough outlining done for THE LAYOVER. I was so thrilled when that happened because once UNTIL NOW was done, I never had the chance to sit around and think, "Well, what now?" I just jumped right into THE LAYOVER.
Jason Carter
Being that NO ORDINARY LOVE is my most recent release, I'd say that my idea for this book came from my actual work in several gyms. Much of what is in this story is derived from my 7 years in various clubs, and scenarios like what I wrote about, while not common, do present themselves.
Jason Carter
My #1 piece of advice is to write what YOU want to see on those pages. Don't try and please the masses. The fact of this business is that most people won't read your book. Those people that do will either love it or hate it. Those that hate it will forget about it and move on. Those who love it will remember it for what it is, and then move on. But as the author, YOU will ultimately live with the work forever. You'll think about it every day, and therefore YOU have to be satisfied with whats on those pages. If you feel the main character needs to die, then kill them. DON'T keep them alive because you think that's what the people will want. You CAN'T please everyone, and you WON'T please everyone . . . so at least make sure you'll be pleased every time you flip through those pages.
Jason Carter
If I'm being totally honest . . . I take a shower. A long HOT HOT shower! Almost every mental block or missing puzzle piece to a story, I've found while in the shower. It's just a great place to relax and really let the mind open up.
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