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Jeffrey Allen Mays

Goodreads Author

Born

Memphis, TN, The United States

Website

http://jeffreyallenmays.com

Genre

Thriller, Philosophy, Paranormal

Member Since

March 2010

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Jeffrey Allen Mays’ short fiction has been published in Catapult/Topology Magazine, Please See Me, Radix Magazine and God and Nature. His debut novel The Former Hero was published in 2014 by AEC Stellar Publishing and won 1st place in the 2015 Texas Association of Authors Book Award as well as being a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards. His short story “Under The Sun” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. In 2020 Jeffrey received his MFA from Seattle Pacific University and now teaches writing at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Jeffrey Allen Mays First we need to ask 'what is writer's block?' I don't think it is a real, clinical condition the way it sounds. It's just a state of mind in which yo…moreFirst we need to ask 'what is writer's block?' I don't think it is a real, clinical condition the way it sounds. It's just a state of mind in which you are not being particularly creative. For mere mortal writers, I think it is fairly common and nothing to worry about. Quotes you see on FB to the effect that for 'real' writers there's no such thing are not only annoying, but an expression of arrogance coming from one who apparently has a lot of natural activity in the creative part of the brain. But even Hemingway lost it toward the end of this career after having the ability to write great stuff seemingly effortlessly, and then wax philosophic about it.
So, I take 'writer's block' down a few notches. Don't look to pharmaceuticals, and don't define yourself by it. I use a combination of going somewhere new, reading literature that I find the most brilliant, and then, and this is the main thing, I muscle my way through - I sit in front of the blank page/screen for a long time doing nothing but thinking. Then usually after 2 or 3 hours (interrupted by coffee refills, ordering lunch, going to the bathroom etc.) I give up and just write something stupid: "Dave was walking down the sidewalk" or something, and from there I ask myself, what did Dave see? What happened to Dave? And then I come up with, "Dave found something meaningful on the sidewalk" or "Dave had just emerged from donating blood, so he was woozy" or "Dave saw a homeless man lying still and feared that he might be dead..." And away I go.(less)

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What are you currently working on?

Jeffrey Allen Mays I have been working on a particular short story for about a year and a half and have had much trouble getting it right. At this point it is uncertain …moreI have been working on a particular short story for about a year and a half and have had much trouble getting it right. At this point it is uncertain if it will ever see the light of day unless I get some inspiration about how to make it worthwhile.
I have plans and some ideas for at least one sequel to The Former Hero. I would like to write more books set in the same location because I like the setting so much and enjoy going back there in my mind.
Finally, it has occurred to me to write a screenplay of The Former Hero. Many of my readers have told me that the book would make a fabulous movie, and although I didn't have that in mind when I wrote it, I agree that it moves along fast enough, and has so much visual material, that it would translate well onto the screen(less)

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Jeffrey Allen Mays’s books

Average rating: 4.11 · 18 ratings · 8 reviews · 1 distinct work

The Former Hero

4.11 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions

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Jeffrey Mays rated a book really liked it The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1) by Ken Follett (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Great story, plot driven. Follett is talented in his own way. I read this alongside All The Light We Cannot See, and there was no comparison. Follett cannot keep up with Doerr when it comes to indwelling a character and living with them. Still, Folle ...more
Feb 15, 2026 12:36PM · like · see review
Jeffrey Mays rated a book it was amazing The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What an incredible wordsmith! Winner of a Pulitzer for Angle of Repose (which I'm currently reading). So knowledgeable, his vocabulary, his patience, his insight into the human psyche - all make him a superior author. Sadly, not very well known today ...more
Feb 15, 2026 12:35PM · like · see review
Jeffrey Mays rated a book it was amazing The Spectator Bird by Wallace Stegner	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What an incredible wordsmith! Winner of a Pulitzer for Angle of Repose (which I'm currently reading). So knowledgeable, his vocabulary, his patience, his insight into the human psyche - all make him a superior author. Sadly, not very well known today ...more
Feb 15, 2026 12:33PM · like · see review
Jeffrey Mays rated a book liked it The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel García Márquez	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Not knowing South American history or the major characters in the quest to separate from Spanish rule, it is hard to get into this book on Simon Bolivar. It's hard to follow and not a captivating plot for a gringo. It has its interesting moments, scen ...more
Feb 15, 2026 12:27PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel García Márquez. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The General in His Labyrinth by Gabriel García Márquez <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jeffrey Mays rated a book it was amazing My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer by Christian Wiman	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 19, 2025 08:55AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of My Bright Abyss by Christian Wiman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — My Bright Abyss by Christian Wiman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jeffrey Mays rated a book really liked it The Writing Life by Annie Dillard	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 19, 2025 08:55AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Writing Life by Annie Dillard. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Writing Life by Annie Dillard <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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Jeffrey Mays rated a book it was amazing Villette by Charlotte Brontë	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Jeffrey Mays rated a book it was amazing Stoner by John Williams	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 19, 2025 08:54AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Stoner by John Williams. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Stoner by John Williams <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jeffrey Mays rated a book really liked it James by Percival Everett	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 19, 2025 08:53AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of James by Percival Everett. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — James by Percival Everett <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">