Below is an interview with fiction writer Jamie Adams, author of a new novella, The Fathers, The Sons, and the Anxious Ghost. Check out Jamie’s book, follow on Twitter, and Instagram, and learn a bit about how a fellow author finds inspiration and builds a following.
About the author and book
Name: Jamie Adams
Twitter: @JamieAdStories
Instagram: @jamielovestories
Book Title: The Fathers, the Sons and the Anxious Ghost
Genres: Drama/ Novella/ Contemporary
Book Summary
This is the story of three guys whose kids go to the same school. After an upsetting event draws them together, the kids go on to tell how a story of friendship, mental health, teen angst and loss causes their characters to change their perspectives on life.
Excerpt from The Fathers, the Sons and the Anxious Ghost
After convincing Tess to meet me in the milkshake hut, a few days later, I was glad to see her arrive, dressed with an edge, reflecting her feisty character. Maybe Tess was back to her old self. I was getting her one of her favourites, a mix of strawberries and banana, topped with marshmallow bits, when she rolled in and sat on the table where I had left my bag. Nodding at me in order to show that she knew I was here, she then proceeded to get her iPad out and start tapping away. Her fingers typed quickly as she sat in the plastic seat, with her eyes focused on the screen intently. This was not so much the girl that I used to know. She seemed to be on a mission.
“I’m writing a book,” she snapped before I had chance to even greet her with a ‘hi’.
I was a bit taken aback, but, placing her drink next to her and putting my own milkshake down, I wanted to probe her a bit about this so-called book.
“Cool. I had no idea you wanted to be a writer,” I said, celebrating the choice.
“I am no author, but I do have a story to tell,” she barked, not in a nasty way but in a sort of ‘screw you world!’ way. She forced a smile for a moment and said some more.
Review Excerpt
“A great read filled with relatable characters and lots of suspense! A surprising amount of narrative and character development packed into a short read.” -Amazon review
Talking Shop
How have you promoted your books? What has worked best? What has failed?
I have focused my promotion via Twitter which has been hard work but engaging. Slowly I have had positive responses that have assured me Twitter is a useful and productive medium for such publicity.
What’s the best review/compliment that you’ve received about your book?
“A well-written book that was a real page turner. One of those books that once you start reading you can’t put it down. I will eagerly await further novels by this new and exciting author!” – Amazon review
What famous books can you compare to your own?
I would like to think that Big Little Lies is a book that fits into the same category and I tell my own story from multiple perspectives, just as Liane Moriarty does. I adore the work of Joanne Harris too. The way she writes in short chapters, using the first person, really inspired me.
Who is on your Mt. Rushmore of all time great writers?
I read so many Joanne Harris books that she would always have to be my first choice. I also enjoy everything by Matt Haig; both fiction and non-fiction. Liane Moriarty never ceases to amaze me with her lively and clever style. Going back to childhood, Roald Dahl made me smile far too often to miss him out. He definitely deserves to be carved on my Mt. Rushmore.
Do you have a writing ritual or any odd habits or superstitions?
I definitely do not like to write down plans for my writing, at least not at first. I usually set myself daily limits (between 800 and 1200 words) and let the story begin before being absolutely clear about the ending. The best thing about writing can be seeing a story unfold and catching myself by surprise as ideas come together and storylines emerge mid-book.
How well do you handle criticism, either while writing, editing, or reviews? Do you ever use that criticism to change your story?
I joined a writing group before I began writing this book and really appreciated feedback given in person whenever I wrote a chapter or short story. I always take on board feedback if it is helpful. Of course, sometimes somebody will throw a little shade on your work, but you have to take it with a pinch of salt.
What is the most fun part about writing? The most difficult?
For me writing is a pleasure but you really have to be in the right frame of mind. When I have no distraction, I completely submerge myself in my writing and am totally immersed in that story. The hardest part is editing, making sure that you haven’t missed something out or included a side character that later had little involvement or had a story point that didn’t quite blend with the rest of the book, time zone or setting.
“What If” Scenarios
If your book ever becomes a movie, and you get final say over the cast, which actors would you hire to play your characters?
I would love this opportunity to come true and have preselected Kate Winslet as the lead female, with Imelda Staunton penciled in as the head teacher. With regard to guys, I saw Zac Efron as a potential for Matt, Eddie Redmayne for Josh and Alex might be played by Dev Patel. All of these actors are greatly respected by me due to their chameleon-like tendencies.
If you could have one person that you admire, living or dead, read your book, who would it be?
I would love to know what Reece Witherspoon thought of it as she regularly shares her thoughts on books and is known to produce a few as TV series. I enjoy her instagram posts about books and can tell she is an avid reader.
A wealthy reader buys 100 copies of your book and tells you to hand them out to anyone you wish. Who do you give them to?
I would want DJ Sara Cox to read it as she discusses fiction on her TV show and radio programme and her opinion counts. It would be lovely if Julie Andrews were to have a read and my favourite writer/ actress, Emma Thompson. Of course, Sam Mendes reading it would be ideal as he makes brilliant movies and theatre productions.
Your favorite character that you’ve written comes to life for one day. What do you do together for 24 hours?
Matt is obsessed with the gym so perhaps he could give me a training session and advice on how to keep my fitness up. We might explore some city bars and discuss why his character took the choices that he did.
You’re offered a contract to rewrite your book in another genre. Which genre do you choose and why?
I could make it into a dark comedy as there are sad events that could be spun into comedic moments. It is always fun to see material satirized. I believe my emotional story could be given a funny touch by someone such as Will Ferrell.
Your book becomes a best seller. What do you do next?
If it were a best seller, I would be incredibly grateful and keen to finish and publish my next book. At the same time I would book myself onto a well-earned cruise around the Baltic Sea.
Just for Fun
One year of your life you’d like to do over.
I would retake my A-Levels, this time to do English Literature instead of Biology. I could then go to university and study that instead.
A movie that changed your life.
I love dramas and so my favourite movie was probably, The Reader starring Kate Winslet. It made me think about the importance of reading and got me to explore writing, eventually leading me to write short stories, in the hope of developing myself as a writer and perhaps screenwriter.
Favorite place you’ve visited/place you want to visit.
I had the most wonderful holiday in Salzburg, which was a beautiful town, nestled between two hills, with a striking river running through. I got to see some of the sights from The Sound of Music movie and felt so at home enjoying the local cuisine and lifestyle.
Your favorite podcast.
I really enjoy the Happy Place podcast by Fern Cotton, which focuses on mental health and keeping your life positive. She interviews celebrities and discusses how we can all keep a work-life balance.
The topic you can’t shut up about/the topic you wish everyone would shut up about.
I cannot shut up about climate change as it is the single most important issue in the world. I am fed up with hearing about Brexit, as it has gone on for far too long and distracted government from making policies to run the country better.
Celebrity you’d want to be friends with.
I believe that Ed Sheeran would be great fun to hang around with. He comes from the same region as me and seems down-to-Earth as well as creative.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of The Fathers, the Sons, and the Anxious Ghost here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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Very fun interview! It sounds like Jamie Adams has Hollywood aspirations! It would be so exciting for the work to be turned into a movie or tv show!
Absolutely. Especially if he gets his dream cast.