Interview with Author of Wrecked, Jeff Goins

I get the privilege of interviewing Jeff Goins today! His new book Wrecked is out and he's touring blogs. So check out the interview and check out his book.

Hi Jeff!

Let's start off with a basic hello and who are you?

Hey there. My name’s Jeff, and I’m a writer. I believe words matter and that we are each put on this earth to help each other. Oh, and I love guacamole.

We'd like to get to know you a bit, but mostly we'd like to understand how you would react in certain situations. Your book Wrecked is about making the most of every situation. Let's take that to its most basic level and see your standard reactions. I can't play a game with you directly, but we can pretend.

So here's your first scenario. If you're playing Monopoly with some friends and one of them gets a hold of both Boardwalk and Park Place and all you have is the lowest value property, Mediterranean, what's your defensive strategy?

Own that property and build on it as much as possible. Try to monopolize it with the hope that my opponent will land on it. Clean them out, or offer to swap properties. Then do the same thing with that.

Now if you are having a poker night with the guys and you know of the five guys at the table, three are bluffing, one is shaking his leg under the table and probably has nothing, and you have a low straight…what do you do? Do you up the bet or hold it steady?

Up the bet. 

Go for it. Go big or go home (insert any other clichés).

And lastly, chess. Chess is a strategic game. But there's a lot involved. What is your basic strategy for a game of chess? Do you play on the offense and plan your steps three in advance, or are you on the defense and try to figure out your opponent's moves and counter them?

Come out strong and try to get a checkmate in the first five moves (it’s possible). Depending on how the opponent reacts, I’ll be able to tell really quickly whether or not they’re a pro (or just lucky).

Hopefully we get to know more about who you are by playing these little games. Anything else about yourself or your new book we should know?

Sure. My new book, Wrecked, is about the life we’re afraid to live. It’s about finding purpose in the least likely of places. We think life is about our comfort; it’s not. It’s about serving others.

Thanks!

Author Jessica Bell Interview for String Bridge - Signed Copy Giveaway!

This is Jessica Bell's blog tour for her new novel String Bridge. Yay! I've interviewed her so you can all get to know her better. This is also a giveaway for a signed copy of String Bridge so make sure you read until the end and fill out the form! The giveaway is open until Thursday when I will announce the winner.

So...

Is there something specific you have to do before you begin writing each day? Like having a cup of tea or straightening the pencils on your desk?

I have to have everything tidy on my desk otherwise I feel like the mess will disorganize my thoughts. I also need to know I have as much time as I want. I can't write in a time slot.

Margaret Atwood is one of your favorite authors, which of her books is your favorite and why?

The Robber Bride comes to mind first because it is primarily character-driven. It's told in the POV of four different women, three who are connected by knowing the fourth. I read it a long time ago, but since the day I read it, nothing has really topped it. But I do still LOVE everything I've read of hers. Some of my other favorites are The Handmaid's Tale, Alias Grace, Life Before Man and The Edible Woman.

Is most of your writing character-driven or plot-driven?

Definitely character-driven, but I do think I maintain a decent amount of plot to keep the pages turning.

Do you have any general advice you can give writers for getting to this point in their careers?

Take criticism and feedback on your writing with a grain of salt. Ultimately YOU have to decide what works. And listen to your heart. Learn the rules and then break them intelligently. I learnt that the hard way. In the early days, I was told by an editor at a professional and very well-established critique service that I had a perfect voice for women’s fiction even though my heart kept saying to strive for literary fiction. I listened. I rewrote and rewrote and rewrote until my story didn’t sound like it was written by me anymore. Despite hating what it turned out to be, I tried to get it published. Then Janice, from Lucky Press, came along and read between the lines. She understood me because she read other material I had posted online, etc. She understood that my real voice wasn’t shining through in this story. But she gave me a chance to rewrite it and it all worked out brilliantly. I can’t thank Janice enough. String Bridge would have been shelved for good if it wasn’t for her generosity and encouragement.

What is your favorite sound?

Bells.


Now be sure to enter the giveaway and go to the other blogs on the tour. Next Monday I'll have a review of the book so be sure to come back and check that out as well.

To Keep Writing...

All right, I'm starting another month of serious writing tomorrow. It's kind of an unhashed idea, and I'm going to let it lead me where it will. I really enjoyed participating in NaNoWriMo, and I think that process is the only way I can actually get a book through the first draft.

Usually through my writing process I stop and consider, and reread, and delete a lot of it. And I never get past 5,000 words. But with setting a goal of writing 50,000 words right out with no backspacing and no rereading, I am capable of producing that amount of work.

I'm still working on editing the first novel. But I want to keep writing, and an idea has been brewing in my brain. I'm a little worried that it's kind of childish. That seems to be one of my creative drawbacks. I'm always thinking what I write sounds like a children's book.

I have a lot of respect for writers who can portray a love story without making it sound stupid. My favorite of those authors right now is Kristin Cashore with Graceling and Fire. She can make a love story happen without making it feel foolish.

So wish me luck on my next (short) month of 50,000 words. I'll let you know how it goes.