by 
Interview JL Rothstein
Interview
– When did you start writing novels, what moved you to start writing?
I finished my first novel in 2010, I shopped it around and no one wanted it. Rejection letters are hard to read, not just because of their nature, but in general they’re not helpful. If you want to get better, you’re going to have to figure that out on your own. It was a long road of reading books, blogs, and even going back to Graduate school for creative writing. After a lot of hard work and heartache, I finally landed in a place with a finished novel I could be proud of.
I have always loved writing and looked for places to incorporate it into my life. I have written things for school, for work, and now for the love of it. I believe if you consider yourself a writer, it doesn’t really have a beginning nor an end, it’s just always been there with you.
– In what genres do you write? Do you plan writing in other genres?
My first novel Atonement, book one in the Heaven Sent series is what I would call a Supernatural Thriller. I would like to write a thriller that doesn’t have supernatural elements in it. I am experimenting with one right now, we’ll see how it goes.
– Tell us about your novels. Why should everyone buy them?
I think promoting yourself and your work is the hardest thing a writer can do. It’s hard for me to ask people to spend their hard-earned money on something I created, but I have to. If I don’t, I won’t have a career.
This question reminds me of the “tell me why I should hire you over other candidates?” question in an interview. I will answer this question the way I have answered the above interview question. I don’t compare myself to other authors or their work. I buy and love lots of books. I don’t read a book and think someone should have bought my book over theirs. If you love thrillers, and you enjoy the supernatural aspects of Heaven and Hell, then buy my book. I brought those two concepts together in a fast-paced, non-preachy & fun way.
– What is your all time favorite novel/book? What makes it special?
I have too many to list here, it would be easier to answer which authors I love to read. I remember my first venture into horror with John Saul’s Nathanial and Clive Barker’s Books of Blood. I was in college and I would take the bus back and forth to class, I was always reading. The short story “Dread” in Clive Barker’s Books of Blood, still sits with me today. I remember finishing that story and thinking oh my, this guy is a genius, I will probably never write anything that good.
I love Neil Gaiman, his Ocean at the End of the Lane was amazing. He took me right back to the wonder and awe of childhood. I also read love stories by Nora Roberts. There is no better beach read than one of her books. I enjoyed Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons. Scott Snyder’s American Vampire turned me on to comic books. I thought comics were silly superhero stories for teenage boys, but there are some incredible storytellers out there. You know a great writer when they somehow get you to root for the bad guy. I have no shame in telling you that in American Vampire, I am rooting for the outlaw vampire Skinner Sweet, I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to, but I just can’t help it.
– Tell us a bit about your writing process.
Most of my best ideas come either in the car while listening to music or in my dreams. I try to keep notes on things as they pop into my head. I later write down a few paragraphs of where that could fit into a story. When I wrote my first book, I didn’t outline anything ahead of time, I just sat and wrote what I felt like writing about that day. Later I took a painful amount of time piecing it together into what I thought was a cohesive story. In the end, that’s the reason I think no one wanted to publish it. It read like it was haphazardly sewn together, and it was. I do a high-level summary outline before starting now. I flesh out the story on paper, and verbally sometimes. I get a sense of what the story is about and who is going to tell it, then I write. I don’t have a set schedule, but in 2020 I want to invest more time in my writing.
– What author would you love to have dinner with?
This is a tough one, to me this is in two parts because there is the being at dinner with someone part, then there is the who could you actually eat dinner with part.
The being at dinner with part, would have to be Neil Gaiman. I would love to listen to him talk about the art of storytelling. I watched his Masterclass and was mesmerized by him, but there would be no eating. I would be the dumbfounded fan who couldn’t find any words.
The actual sitting down to enjoy a meal part, would have to be Dan Brown. I watched his Masterclass also and found him to be an incredible lecturer. I believe he was a teacher, but all of it came so naturally.
– Tell us about your hobbies and passions other than writing.
I recently picked up glass etching. I really enjoy using stencils to make wine glasses and vases personalized for family and friends. I even hosted a women’s group event at work and etched some candle holders to be given out as favors. I enjoy crocheting I have made many a baby blanket. My mother taught me how to crochet when I was in High School, so it holds special meaning for me now that she’s older and unable to do it herself.
– We have many followers who would like to start writing a book or are already writing their first novel, any advice for these brave people?
Don’t overthink what you’re doing, stick with your instincts. Listen to what your subconscious mind is trying to tell you, let it take you places that may seem off course, enjoy the ride.
From one author to another, prepare yourself for criticism, but only listen to the ones that are constructive. Someone telling you “your story sucks” is to be promptly ignored. A person telling you they couldn’t follow your story because they couldn’t figure out who’s head they were in, listen to and correct.
– How often do you write, daily, every other day or?
I try to make it a weekly ritual. I am unable to do it daily with working full time to support myself. Someday, I hope to make the transition into writing full-time.
– Do you keep a notebook with ideas for your novels? If so do you carry the notebook with you so you won’t forget any ideas?
I have many notebooks. I do carry one with me and I also keep one on my nightstand, because the ones from my dreams are usually the most intriguing but they fade quickly. The books are filled with all kinds of things, writing, notes, bad doodling. Even though I don’t always pull them out when I write, I think the process of jotting down the idea or sketch helps keep it in my mind. Sometimes the best ideas need to marinate a bit before I’m ready to write them.
– How important is it to have your facts right and are there any instances when you bend history to fit your story?
Very, you’ll need to invest time and do research, some of it will include going to the library. You can get a lot from Google, but it shouldn’t be your only source. I don’t bend history, I think that comes from too much of a healthy respect for it, but it doesn’t bother me when other authors do.
– What are you reading at the moment?
I just picked up Don’t Make a Sound by T.R. Ragan. I’m also reading Robert Crane’s Untouched, Darklight by Bella Forrest and Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza. I’m a mood reader, so I usually have multiple books going at the same time.
– How is it to be an author in your country? Do you have a good support from the local public?
I’m in the U.S. so there is a plethora of resources available here. Social media, Twitter in particular, has been very welcoming and supportive. With the pandemic I haven’t had the opportunity to get out to speak with local indie bookstore owners, but I look forward to starting that when things are lifted.
– Certainly you have had some interesting episodes as an author, fans related or others, share one of them with us.
My first book is launching June 1st, I hope to have lots of stories to share on this topic, but for now, most of what I have been experiencing has been on social media. I was surprised by how much of a community exists online, it’s been great to be a part of it so far. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead.
– A final message for our circleofbooks.com readers.
I’m grateful for this opportunity and I really appreciate anyone who took time out of their busy day to read my interview. Even though we’re all stuck at home during this virus, your time is still valuable. Thank you so much and I hope one day our paths cross in person!
Thank you JL Rothstein. We at circleofbooks.com wish you much success!
Click here to visit the author page here on Circle of Books.
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