Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. I am newly published author that was born and raised in a suburb near Chicago. I moved to Northern California in my twenties to get away from the bone-chilling, spine-cracking winters. My full-time job is in Information Technology, but would love to transition someday to full-time writing. I love taking all the ideas swirling around in my mind and putting them on paper in interesting scenarios, while developing relatable characters. My goal is to provide entertainment to the reader that will take their imagination to places they probably wouldn’t ever experience in their real lives but might dream of.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Phantom Firefighter”?
A2. Being my first published book, I had to do a lot of re-writing. After getting some advice from an editor that reviewed it, I made a lot of changes. I also had to research the styles of writing that sell books. This isn’t just a story you are putting in your journal or handing in for grading. It has to have a professional look and feel. I looked at several successful authors to help me arrive at my particular style.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. I typically will read the same type of books that I am currently writing. For example, when writing this tween/teen fantasy series, I read the same type of books in the same genre and age group. It helps keep me in the mindset of that genre as I write. I think it’s similar to when you go see a professional sporting event live, it’s much different than just watching it on a small TV in front of you. If your environment is screaming the energy of what you are doing all around you, your thoughts are more focused on that event.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. My wife and I love warm weather and beaches, so any place with a great beach town, we want to visit. The massiveness of the ocean puts a new perspective on the minor things that might challenge us in life. Not to mention, the wave sounds are soothing, especially under some radiant sun rays. We love San Diego and many of the beaches in Florida.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The Phantom Enforcer’?
A5. The First Responder series is a small tribute to the men and women that put their lives on the line almost every day. I wanted to encourage our adolescents to understand their challenges more but also potentially find interest in pursuing these rewarding careers. We never seem to have enough of these service superheroes. The second book, The Phantom Enforcer, is a tribute to the police, whereas the first book was to firefighters.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Phantom Firefighter’?
A6. As I stated earlier, I had to do quite a bunch of rewriting so the first book took me about six months to write. The second was a little shorter since I had the series setup, but I was also distracted on the second one with learning the marketing, selling, editing, publishing and advertising aspects of the book business.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. My books are available on Amazon in e-book and paperback formats. E-book formats are exclusive to Amazon. My first book is also available via Barnes & Noble. I will be coming out with some hardcover versions this spring as I am considering refreshing the book covers. Schools, bookstores, libraries, etc. can get my book via Ingram Spark distribution channels, but only the first book right now. Second book in early Spring.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Phantom Enforcer’?
A8. I like the cover art to tell a part of the story. For the title, hopefully readers will agree, “Enforcer” sounds much cooler than The Phantom Police 🙂. The police officer in “The Phantom Enforcer” is a second-year Latina woman assigned to the 7th District of the Chicago Police Department. You can see an iconic Chicago building on the book cover as well.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. When I exercise, I think about ideas for my book and many times will write those ideas down in online notes on my phone. This way I won’t forget the idea and it helps keep the idea active until I write about it. I also do this with research online. I will add something I want to write about as a link in a research folder. I also try to imagine reading the book as a 3rd-person. What would excite a reader or keep them reading? What twist can I add to keep the reader guessing what will happen next?
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10. Patience and consistency. Many people wonder how I can write books with a full-time demanding job but it’s like anything in life you love. If you nurture it, just a little, each day, you will be surprised how months later something wonderful will come out of your small amounts of hard work. As an unknown writer, you have to be patient with the process to build your audience, write books that will appeal to people, and eventually over time hopefully an author can build a solid foundation and following.
J.W. Jarvis on Amazon
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