Author Interview: Brian James

A big thank you to, Brian James for doing an author interview with me. Brian is the author of many children's books and also the author of several novels such as, Zombie Blondes, Thief, and Dirty Liar. View all of his books here.
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Are you working on anything right now that you could share with us?

I try to always be working on something. Recently I just finished a manuscript that I'm really excited about. It's called "Afterworld" and it's about a boy and girl trapped in a creepy limbo-like afterlife. My agent is working right now to find it a proper home, and I have no doubt you will be hearing about it soon. I'm thrilled by how it came out. Currently I'm working on a new novel that is based on a Victorian poem. I don't want to say more than that just yet, but as of now, it feels epic.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? 

Oddly enough, yes. I say oddly because as a child I didn't really like to read. But I loved making up stories. I attempted to write my first novel when I was eleven. But it wasn't until I was a teenager that I got serious about writing. I met a friend who got me into reading and encouraged me to write. That's when the idea really took shape as something more than a dream.

Where is your favorite place to write? 

I have an office in my house and that's where I do all of my writing these days. The walls are covered with images that inspire me. There is a good size library of my favorite books. A sizable portion of my favorite toys from my toy collection linger about. And of course, there is an endless rotating library of music. It's a pretty great room, but it has to be as I spend the majority of my waking life in there.

What are a few of your must haves when you go to write? 

I need music and my computer and my notes. Coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon.

What is your favorite book? If you can't pick a favorite, top 3. 

One of the most impossible questions to answer. I'll answer it in two ways. First, the book that really changed my idea about books was Watership Down. I read it when I was twelve. It was the first book I ever read where I truly felt I could 'see' the story. For that, it's probably the most important book I've ever read.

But if I had to pick a favorite book, I'd probably go with The Demon Flower by Jo Imog. It's a little known book that is brutal, beautiful, and completely unforgettable. I've read it about six times and try to read it every two years or so.

Favorite place to read? 

Anywhere where it's quiet.

What are you currently reading? 

Tree Girl by T.A. Barron. It's a middle-grade novel, a kind of invented myth. It reminds me of the kind of stories I tried desperately to write when I was college, but failed miserably.


Bookmark or dog ear? 

Both. I use a bookmark to hold my place, but I dog ear pages with passages that I take a particular liking to. Then I transcribe the quotes into a document that I keep. As you could image, the document is quite long.

Do you like to read a book and donate/give it away. Or do you keep them? 

I'm a collector at heart. I keep books. I rarely if ever even lend books. I'd rather buy somebody another copy of a book then lend them mine.

Last song you listened to?

"Blown Away" by Sivert Hoyem.

Guilty Pleasure? 

Life is too short for guilt. If something gives you pleasure, I say embrace it.

Favorite Beverage?

Diet Pepsi...it's the choice of a new generation.
 
Item you can't live without? 

My cats. They're big old fats, but I love them.

Morning or night?

Night...unless it's a cloudy morning. I just really hate the sun. I can't wait for the day it blows up and leaves us all alone.
Where can we find you online? 

I keep a blog where I talk about writing and I try to stay up to date with. It's called 'Saving the World One Story at a Time". Also, like the rest of the world, I'm on Facebook.


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--Happy Reading!!!