Author Interview with J.E. Taylor

What made you want to be a writer?
JET: This is a good question and I’m not sure it was ever a conscious decision. I think storytelling is a base part of my makeup and words became my instrument of choice. It could have just as easily translated into any other artistic outlet, however, I’m much more comfortable with words as opposed to an instrument or a canvas and I seem to have more of a natural talent in that arena.

What is your inspiration for your novels?
JET: I put this quote on "http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/..." Goodreads a while ago because I think it captures where my inspiration/story lines come from and where they mature… "It’s a walk into the darkest corners of my imagination where my nightmares fester until something living and breathing escapes onto the screen of my laptop."

How long does it generally take you to write a novel (From outline to final edits)
JET: Depends. I can whip out a story in no time, but the edits and polishing take time. I honestly don’t know. Perhaps a year if I laid the timelines out and analyzed them. I wrote 8 books in a very short period of time – 15 months to be exact and of those original 8, I only have one left on the editing table. Those were written from February of 2007 through May 2008. Then I went back and started the task of editing the books. My first – Survival Games – was accepted in 2009 and published in 2010. So a direct line from the first words of that book to acceptance took almost three years. However, during that time I wasn’t just working on Survival Games, I was working on all the already written books.

The best gauge I have is the book I’m currently working on with my son – from first words to final edit will be close to nine months when we’re done – but again, this isn’t the only project I’ve got on my plate.

What’s your new novel about?
JET: "http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Illusio..." Crystal Illusions is under my Agent Williams series, but it’s a spin off. He has a cameo in the book but he isn’t the main focus. My main character is a woman named Carolyn Hastings and she’s an assistant District Attorney for the Manhattan DA office. She’s got a perfect prosecution record and it’s not just based on her lawyerly strengths. She has a sixth sense about her cases and can detect when someone is telling the truth or not. Handy at times, but lately that sixth sense has gone into overdrive and she’s seeing through a killer’s eyes. Here’s the blurb…

Assistant D.A. Carolyn Hastings has an uncanny knack for putting away criminals. With one of the best prosecution records in recent history, her future as Manhattan’s next District Attorney looks certain. But her sixth sense for winning cases threatens to work against her when she starts seeing a string of murders through the eyes of the killer.

With suspects piling up as fast as bodies, and the motives of those closest to her questionable, Carolyn doesn’t know who to trust. When the FBI assigns Special Agent Steve Williams to the case, Carolyn discloses her deepest fear - that the man she loves may be the one responsible for the city’s latest crime spree.

The only thing Steve knows for sure is Carolyn has an inexplicable psychic connection with the killer, and all the victims have one thing in common…a striking resemblance to Carolyn Hastings.

And he knows it’s only a matter of time before this psychopath knocks on her door.

“Taylor has a strong thriller where every single character has reasonable doubt flashing like a neon sign hanging over them, and right from the beginning you are trying to guess who the killer really is. Gripping, rich and magnificent - crime whodunnits don't get any better than this!” Author Poppet / Gemma Rice – Author of Quislings, Blindsided, Djinn and Dusan


How many query letter submissions did you have to make before you found an agent/publisher?
JET: Oh my, I lost count. I was close to venturing into self-publishing when I found eXcessica – my first publisher and decided to give it one last shot. Well that was a great choice because I learned the behind the scenes ropes with eXcessica. Formatting, editing, uploading, everything that goes along with the publishing venture, so when they decided to form a co-op, I decided to take my show on the road. I partnered with another writer who I’ve had the pleasure of editing and we started our own label – HYPERLINK "http://www.novelconceptpublishing.com" Novel Concept Publishing, LLC. Now, including Jason and I, we have seven authors and a number of books on our shelves. We offer both e-book distribution as well as paperback option through Createspace. We provide cover art, editing and limited marketing services to our reps as part of the contract, but at this time, we don’t offer advances.

What genres do you generally like to write?
JET: Suspense, thriller, horror are my main staples, but I also have a few romance and erotic stories as well.

If you had to choose a favorite novel, what would it be?
JET: The Stand

Does having a family help or hinder your writing?
JET: It makes good fodder for stories. ( Actually, it was my daughter who got me back into the writing game. I put the dream on the shelf for a very long time, but with her prompting, I stepped out of my family centric life and started focusing on writing. At first this was tough on the family and I suppose it still is, but I’m learning to find balance and that’s important too.

Have you ever have a hard time killing a character?
JET: Yes. I’ve killed off characters that were very near and dear to me and to my readers. And I’ve heard about it. Even with the “how could you?” comments, I really think the characters had run their course and I have had their paths mapped out for a long time. Although I do have to say, I was surprised at one of the deaths and after I read what flowed from my fingertips, I cried.

When you start writing a novel do you have a word count or chapter count in mind?
JET: No. I know the general genre lengths and try to stay within those parameters.

Is there a specific place you write or a Sanctuary of writing or can you write pretty much anywhere?
JET: I can write anywhere. In my comfy chair in my family room, in my son’s Jukido class, in the car (while I’m a passenger – not while I’m driving), on the beach, in the middle of the action. I’m good anywhere and can completely tune out the world when I’m in mine.

From reading some of your interviews I know you like to end with a series of ten questions so here we go...


Vampire or Werewolf?
JET: Werewolf –always had a propensity for wolves. So much better than a dead old guy with a blood fetish.

Dog or Cat?
JET: Dog – unless of course you’re talking about a white Bengal tiger. ( Nice kitty-cat.

Pen or Pencil?
JET: Neither – my handwriting is atrocious – but I use a pen when I’m taking notes at the day job.

Meat or Veggies?
JET: A damn good steak!

Country or Rock and Roll?
JET: I’m a rocker girl. Country just makes me hostile.

Hardcover or Paperback?
JET: Paperback

E-reader or Book?
JET: Kindle baby. I’m a kindle convert, although I still like to hold my own paperbacks from time to time and call them “precious”.

Master Yoda or Darth Vader?
JET: Tall, dark and evil versus short and pudgy with a funny voice. Hmmm.
Can’t I just take Han Solo instead?

Tea or Coffee?
JET: Neither. 5hr energy instead. I never acquired the taste for either tea or coffee but lately need a bit of a kick with the lack of sleep – so I’ve found one 5hr energy in the morning gives me that extra oomph.

Classical Literature or Young Adult Novels?
JET: YA novels. I’ve actually enjoyed many more of these in the last five years than I ever had before by writers I’ve met through some of the same writing circles JP is in. Heather Brewer, A.S. King, and Lisa McMann are just a few I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

JET: Thanks for swinging into this stop on my Blog Tour and I hope you’ll swing in to Bitten By Books on the 20th for a chance to win a $50.00 Amazon gift certificate and if you’d like to check out Crystal Illusions, you can purchase it here on Amazon.
Amazon Link: HYPERLINK "http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Illusio...